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Vaginal yeast infections and UTIs

What is vaginal yeast infection?

A vaginal yeast infection is an infection caused by yeast (a type of fungus). Vaginal yeast infection is sometimes referred to as yeast vaginitis , candidal vaginitis or candidal vulvovaginitis. The scientific name for the yeast that causes vaginitis is candida.
Candida species can be present in healthy women in the vagina without causing any symptoms.
For an infection to occur , the normal balance of yeast and bacteria is disturbed , allowing overgrowth of the yeast.
While yeast can be spread by sexual contact, vaginal yeast infection is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease because it can also occur in women who are sexually active , due to the fact that yeast can be present in the vagina of healthy women.

Vaginal yeast infections are very common , affecting 75 % of women at some point of life.


Yeast infections and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can happen t any time of year , they get a little extra help in the summer thanks to the added humidity and moisture.
Fungus and bacteria thrive in a humid environment , so moisture buildup "down there" can invite the overgrowth of fungus or bacteria to cause yeast infections or UTIs , respectively.


Sure , you can't help yourself from getting sweaty down there on summer hike , but there are still ways you can lower your risk of yeast infections and UTI's this summer . 

Here are tips to avoid a summer burn :

  1. Clean up + dry off after sweating : Whether it's sweat from exercise or just from being outside on a hot day , try to wash up afterwards with mild soap and water , and put on fresh underwear . The longer you hang around with sweaty underwear , the more chances you give fungus and bacteria to accumulate.
  2. Wear breathable underwear : Underwear made of cotton are the most airy , whereas synthetic materials can trap in humidity and moisture and increase the risk for infections.
  3. Change your underwear everyday : But you know that , right? Keep your nethers clean and dry , otherwise infection could be just one pool day away.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS :
  • A vaginal discharge that is typically thick
  • Odorless
  • Whitish grey in color 
The discharge has been described as having a cottage cheese like consistency.

Other symptoms of vaginal yeast infection include:
  • An intense itching of the vaginal or genital area
  • Irritation and burning
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Redness, irritation, or soreness of the vagina or vulva in women, swelling of the vagina. 
Vaginal yeast infections can also occur as a result of injury to the inner vagina , such as after chemotherapy. Also , women with suppressed immune systems example, those taking cortisone-related medications such as prednisone develop vaginal yeast infections more frequently than women with normal immunity.

Other conditions that may predispose women to developing vaginal yeast infections include
  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy
  • Taking oral contraceptives
The use of perfumed vaginal hygiene sprays may also increase a  women's risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection 

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