Saturday, October 30, 2021

What Causes a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

 What Causes a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Do you suddenly have a terrible itching and burning sensation down under in combination with white or yellow discharge? The fungus candida albicans is often the culprit. There is a good chance that you have contracted a vaginal yeast infection with these complaints due to the candida fungus present. Candida is caused by yeast-like fungi. Candida is a yeast that everyone carries with them, only when there are other factors that cause this yeast to form threads, it becomes a candida fungal infection. Or also a vaginal yeast infection. This usually happens due to an imbalance in the number of fungi that everyone carries. 


Many women are unnecessarily ashamed of a vaginal yeast infection. It is often thought that vaginal yeast has to do with poor hygiene. Nonsense! Did you know that about three quarters of women have suffered from a vaginal yeast infection? Below you will find a number of factors that can cause your vaginal flora to become out of balance:

  • Washing your vagina with soap
  • Hormone fluctuations, for example during  menstruation  or  pregnancy
  • Taking certain medications, such as antibiotics
  • A reduced resistance
  • Diabetes


When the vagina is not moist enough during sex, small tears can form in the vaginal wall. This can also cause a vaginal yeast infection. Bacteria can also enter your vagina through the anus.

What are the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection?

 What are the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection?

A vaginal fungus can be recognized by the following symptoms:


  • Itching in your vagina and/or on your labia
  • Swollen labia
  • Excessive production of white and friable discharge without odor
  • Pain when having sex or when urinating
  • A burning sensation in the pubic area and/or during sex
  • A swollen, red and painful mucous membrane of the vagina


Do you suffer from grey-white, unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge? Then read more about  bacterial vaginosis .




What is a vaginal yeast infection?

 What is a vaginal yeast infection?

Every woman has fungi and bacteria in her vagina. These fungi and bacteria are even indispensable for a healthy vaginal flora. Sometimes the natural balance between these fungi and bacteria is disturbed. This can happen, for example, due to a reduced resistance. Certain fungi or bacteria then get the chance to grow into an infection. The most common vaginal fungus is candida. Contrary to popular belief, a vaginal yeast infection is not an  STD .



Friday, October 29, 2021

When to go to the doctor for a vaginal yeast infection?

 When to go to the doctor for a vaginal yeast infection?

  • If you have a vaginal yeast infection for the first time, you can recognize it by redness, pain or burning, swollen vagina and white, friable discharge;
  • If the yeast infection does not go away after 2 weeks (with or without medicines);
  • If you've had a yeast infection before and the same treatment that helped last time doesn't help this time;
  • If you have bought medicines for a vaginal yeast infection at the pharmacy or drugstore and they do not help;
  • If the symptoms keep coming back;
  • If you get other complaints such as fever or pain in the lower abdomen;
  • If your vaginal discharge changes.



Treating a Yeast Infection

 Treating a Yeast Infection

 You can speed up the recovery process from a yeast infection and prevent a possible subsequent infection by disturbing the natural balance of the vagina as little as possible:

  • Rinse the outside of the vagina with lukewarm water. There is no need to wash more often or thoroughly. On the inside, the vagina cleans itself;
  • Avoid vaginal rinses, - soap or other (natural) remedies such as tea-tree oil, probiotics... This makes the mucous membrane more irritated;
  • Avoid having sex when the vagina is still dry, as this can irritate the mucous membrane. Take your time to get aroused, use (neutral) lubricant or avoid sex while the vagina is dry or if it hurts;
  • Some medications such as clotrimazole are available without a prescription. You use this for 1 to 3 days. Please note: if you have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection for the first time, it is best to see your doctor. Even if the complaints return or change and the self-purchased medicines do not help.


How long does a vaginal yeast infection last?

 How long does a vaginal yeast infection last?

A vaginal yeast infection usually goes away on its own. In some cases, it takes several weeks for the itching and discharge to pass. You cannot treat such an infection, but you can ensure that the recovery is accelerated.




How do you recognize vaginal yeast infection?

 How do you recognize vaginal yeast infection?

Candida or vaginal yeast infection can be recognized by:

  • itching in the vagina;
  • white (sometimes friable) discharge without odor;
  • irritated mucosa (red, swollen and painful);
  • pain or burning sensation (when urinating or having sex).