What is Vaginal Fungus
Vaginal Fungus
Vaginal yeast infection, also called vaginal candidiasis, is a fungal infection of the vagina and vulva, i.e. the tissues at the vaginal opening, that causes irritation, discharge and intense itching. In this infection process, fungal cells called candida begin to multiply uncontrollably.
Vaginal yeast, a fairly common type of yeast infection, affects three out of four women at least once in their lifetime. Individuals who have had a vaginal yeast infection once are more likely to have the same condition again. For this reason, many women are affected by vaginal candidiasis at least twice.
Vaginal yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. However, in the first period when sexual life becomes regular, the risk of vaginal yeast infection is higher than in other periods. Some evidence has been presented by medical professionals that vaginal yeast may be due to contact between the mouth and the genitals.
Vaginal yeast infections can be effectively treated with the help of various medications that will be recommended by the doctor. This treatment process takes a few days between normal conditions. In more severe cases, called severe or complex vaginal yeast infections, it may take several weeks for the symptoms to disappear.
If the vaginal fungus recurs four or more times in a year, a longer treatment course and care plan may be required.
What Causes Vaginal Fungus?
The most common cause of vaginal yeast infection is a type of fungus called Candida albicans. Under normal conditions, various bacteria and fungi are naturally present in the vagina in a balanced ratio, and this prevents dangerous, foreign organisms from settling in the body.
However, some strains of bacteria, such as lactobacillus, prevent the overgrowth of the candida fungal strain. However, this balance can be disturbed for various reasons. As a result, Candida albicans begins to overgrow and multiply, penetrating deeper into the vaginal cell layers that it normally cannot reach. This in turn causes the signs and symptoms of a fungal infection.
The reasons for the imbalance that leads to the appearance of vaginal yeast include the use of antibiotics to cause an imbalance in the natural vaginal flora, pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels, impaired blood sugar balance due to uncontrolled diabetes, a compromised immune system, corticosteroid treatments, oral contraceptives, or hormone that artificially increases estrogen levels. considered treatments.
Besides Candida albicans, the most common cause of vaginal yeast infection, other types of yeast can also cause yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infections caused by other types of fungi can be more difficult to treat and often require more aggressive treatments.
How to Prevent Vaginal Yeast Infection?
To reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infection, it is recommended to use underwear with a cotton crotch and not too tight.
However, avoiding tight tights, avoiding antiseptic washes on the vagina that will kill the natural bacteria that protect the person from infections, avoid using scented women’s products, including bubble baths, scented pads and tampons, avoid bathing in very hot water, especially in the case of colds or other viral infections. Avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use in infections and avoiding damp clothing such as swimsuits or sweaty workout clothes are measures that can reduce the risk of contracting a vaginal yeast infection.
What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Fungus?
Symptoms and signs of vaginal yeast infection can range from mild to moderate severity. These symptoms include itching and irritation primarily in the vagina and vulva.
However, burning sensation during sexual intercourse or urination, reddening of the vulva, pain and tenderness in the vagina, vaginal rash, thick, white and odorless vaginal discharge and very watery vaginal discharge are among the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection.
In severe or complex vaginal yeast infection, symptoms such as cracking, injury, tear, intense redness and swelling of the skin are seen.
However, fungal infections in diabetics, individuals whose immune system is weakened by various medical problems or various medications used, and pregnant individuals are also considered complex vaginal yeast infections and their treatment may require a 14-day course.
How Is Vaginal Fungus Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of vaginal yeast infection can occur during the physical examination. During this examination, the doctor will ask the patient questions about his or her medical history. Thanks to these questions, the existence of a similar infection in the past can be learned.
After that, the doctor performs a pelvic examination and looks for signs of infection in the external genitalia. An instrument called a speculum is then used to keep the vaginal walls open to examine the vagina and cervix.
If a yeast infection is suspected, a sample of vaginal fluid is taken by the doctor and sent to the laboratory to test vaginal discharge and determine the type of fungus causing the yeast infection. Identifying the fungus causing the infection can help the doctor prescribe more effective treatment for recurrent yeast infections.
How to Treat Vaginal Fungus?
For short-term treatment of vaginal yeast, taking an antifungal medication for three to seven days according to the doctor’s advice will usually clear up a yeast infection. Antifungal medications are available as creams, ointments, tablets, and suppositories. However, not every drug is suitable for every case. The use of single-dose tablets is not recommended, especially during pregnancy.
If treatment does not relieve the individual’s symptoms within the specified time, or if the condition recurs within two months, it is necessary to seek medical attention again to further treatment.
In this more severe and complex type of vaginal yeast infection, the doctor may recommend long-term vaginal therapy. Accordingly, it is possible to prescribe a drug taken every day for two weeks and a drug taken every week for six months.
Oral antifungal medication to be taken in tablet form instead of vaginal treatment can be prescribed in two or three doses, but this method of treatment is not recommended during pregnancy. Finally, azole resistance therapy can be applied in fungal species resistant to antifungal drugs.
The drug used in this treatment method can be fatal if taken orally, so it should only be used vaginally.
Alternative Medicine and Home Treatment Methods
Although various alternative medicine treatments are used to treat vaginal yeast infections, their effectiveness is often not scientifically proven. But some complementary and alternative treatments, when combined with doctor-recommended care, can provide some relief.
It is necessary to consult the doctor about which alternative treatments for vaginal yeast infection may be safe for the individual. Natural yogurt without sugar and probiotic supplements are generally used for supplements and home treatment methods.
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