about yeast infection, what causes it?
490453
Candida albicans is a widespread organism with worldwide distribution. It is normally found in small amounts in the vagina , the mouth, the digestive tract, and on the skin without causing disease or symptoms (approximately 25% of women without disease symptoms have this organism present).\n\nSymptoms appear when the balance between the normal microorganisms of the vagina is lost, and the Candida albicans population becomes larger in relation to the other microorganism populations.\n\nThis happens when the environment (the vagina) has certain favorable conditions that allow growth and nourishment of Candida albicans . An environment that makes it difficult for the other microorganisms to survive may also cause an imbalance and lead to a yeast infection.\n\nYeast infection may follow a course of antibiotics (particularly tetracycline) that were prescribed for another purpose. The antibiotics change the normal balance between organisms in the vagina by suppressing the growth of protective bacteria that normally have an antifungal effect.\n\nInfection is common among women who use estrogen-containing birth control pills and among women who are pregnant. This is due to the increased level of estrogen in the body. The increased hormone level causes changes in the vaginal environment that make it perfect for fungal growth and nourishment.\n\nYeast infections may also occur in association with diabetes or problems that affect the immune system (such as AIDS or HIV).\n\nVaginal candidiasis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. However, 12% to 15% of men will develop symptoms such as itching and penile rash following sexual contact with an infected partner.\n\nClose attention should be paid to episodes of vaginal candidiasis. Repeat infections that occur immediately following therapy, or a persistent yeast infection that does not respond to therapy, may be the first or, at least, an early sign that an individual is infected with HIV.\n\nBoth males and females with HIV infection who have developed AIDS may be subject to disseminated infection with candida, including oral candidiasis (in the mouth), esophageal candidiasis (in the esophagus), and cutaneous candidiasis (on the skin).\n\nHope this helps
973761
Hi Jennifer here is some information pertaining to your question.\n\nWhat is a vaginal yeast infection?\n\nA vaginal yeast infection is an excess growth of yeast cells in the vagina. Yeast infections are very common in women of childbearing age but can occur at any age. Although they can be uncomfortable, vaginal yeast infections rarely lead to serious health problems.\n\nWhat causes a vaginal yeast infection?\n\nA healthy vagina normally contains many bacteria and small numbers of yeast cells. The most common bacteria found in the vagina, Lactobacillus acidophilus, help prevent other organisms, such as yeast, from growing in excess and causing an infection. About 70% to 90% of yeast infections are caused by a strain of yeast called Candida albicans. 1, 2 \n\nWhen there is a change in the normal balance of organisms in the vagina, yeast can overgrow, causing symptoms. This imbalance can be caused by many factors, including use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for other conditions, high estrogen levels (as during pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy), or certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or HIV infection. \n\n\n\nWhat are the symptoms?\n\nThe most common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are: \n\nVaginal itching. \nIrritated genital skin. \nPain or burning in the genital area with urination or sexual intercourse. \nIn some cases, white vaginal discharge that is usually curdlike and odorless. Some women have no noticeable discharge. \nSymptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are more likely to occur during the week before a menstrual period.\n\nHow is a vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?\n\nVaginal itching and a white vaginal discharge that is odorless and looks like cottage cheese are classic signs of a vaginal yeast infection. However, it's easy to misdiagnose a vaginal infection. If your symptoms are not typical of a yeast infection, you aren't certain of your diagnosis, or you're pregnant and have symptoms, see your health professional. A vaginal exam and possibly a culture of vaginal discharge can help diagnose whether another type of organism is present.\n\nHow is it treated?\n\nA vaginal yeast infection is usually treated with a vaginal antifungal cream, tablet, or suppository for several days. While some women prefer taking a tablet by mouth, oral treatment may be reserved for recurrent infection that may be caused by yeast throughout the body. This is mainly because oral medication affects the entire body, and vaginal treatment limits its effect to the genital area. Oral antifungal medication can cause side effects such as headache, nausea, and abdominal pain; vaginal treatment is unlikely to cause side effects. \n\nNonprescription vaginal medications are available for treating vaginal yeast infection; vaginal boric acid capsules are another option. If you have had a vaginal yeast infection before, are not pregnant, and are certain your present symptoms are the same as during the previous infection, you can self-treat your infection. If you have a yeast infection that keeps returning despite treatment, see your health professional. A recurring yeast infection can be a sign of another health problem. \n\nYeast infections are common during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, do not use any medication without first discussing your symptoms with your health professional. \n\nCan vaginal yeast infections recur?\n\nYes. A yeast infection is considered to be recurrent if you have four or more infections that cause symptoms and are unrelated to antibiotic use within 1 year. Severe or persistent yeast infections are a problem for about 5% of affected women and can be related to diabetes, pregnancy, or another health condition. 2 \n\nIf you have a recurrent vaginal yeast infection, your health professional may do a culture to confirm that yeast is present. You may also be tested for certain conditions that could be making you more vulnerable to yeast overgrowth, such as diabetes or HIV infection.
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As a Gynecologist, I would advise you seek counsel from your PCP or a local speacialist. Restrict any procrastination.\n\nVaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. Yeast are tiny organisms that normally live in small numbers on the skin and inside the vagina. The acidic environment of the vagina helps keep yeast from growing. If the vagina becomes less acidic, too many yeast can grow and cause a vaginal infection.\n\nThe acidic balance of the vagina can be changed by your period (menstruation), pregnancy, diabetes, some antibiotics, birth control pills and steroids. Moisture and irritation of the vagina also seem to encourage yeast to grow.\n\nYeast infections can be very uncomfortable, but are usually not serious. Symptoms include the following:\n\nItching and burning in the vagina and around the vulva (the skin that surrounds your vagina) \nA white vaginal discharge that may look like cottage cheese \nPain during sexual intercourse \nSwelling of the vulva \nYeast infections are so common that 3/4 of women will have one at some time in their lives. Half of all women have more than one infection in their lives. If you have symptoms of a yeast infection, your doctor will probably want to talk to you about your symptoms and examine you to make sure a yeast infection is the cause.\n\nYeast infections are usually treated with medicine that you put into your vagina. This medicine may be a cream that you insert in your vagina with a special applicator, or it may be a suppository that you put into your vagina and allow to dissolve on its own. Medicine in a cream form can also be put on your vulva to help relieve itching. Medicine in a pill form that you take by mouth is also available.\n\nHere are some things you can do to help prevent another yeast infection:\n\nDon't wear tight-fitting or synthetic-fiber clothes. \nWear cotton panties. \nDon't wear pantyhose or leotards every day. \nUse your blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry your genital area after you bathe or shower and before getting dressed. \nWipe from front to back after using the toilet. This may help prevent the bacteria that normally live in your rectum from getting into your vagina. \nChange out of wet swimsuits or other damp clothes as soon as you can. \nDon't douche or use feminine hygiene sprays, deodorant sanitary pads or tampons, or bubble bath, and avoid using colored or perfumed toilet paper. These items seem to affect the balance of acidity of the vagina and can lead to symptoms of a yeast infection.
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apart from the obvious risks of liver problems etc.\nSugary alcohol can encourage yeast infections in the vagina due to all the extra sugar in it
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No.  But you'd better seek medical attention to get it cleared up.  Yeast is natural in the body and only presents a problem when there is an overgrowth of the normal amount.
923486
thrush is a yeast infection and yes men can get them but they are internal usually. if you are having oral sex this could cause it. the test for a man is a long qtip you know where. I'd advise talking with him and  the Dr.  the meds won't hurt him if he doesn't have one but it may help you.
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Candida is a yeast infection.  This infection can present itself in many different forms though - a diaper rash, vaginal infection, infection of the nipples (when breastfeeding) and also thrush (infection in the baby's mouth when breastfeeding).  The active cultures in the yogurt encourage good bacteria to take up residence, unlike the ones currently there.  I'm hoping that some other treatment was also prescribed depending on the infection type.
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It could be an allergic reaction or a yeast infection. See your doctor A.S.A.P. it could lead to other infections. What ever you do. DO NOT SCRATCH.. Scratching can lead to heavy discharge and other infections.
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Definition: Overgrowth of yeast can affect the skin (yeast rash ), mouth (thrush), digestive tract, esophagus, vagina ( vaginitis ), and other parts of the body. Yeast infections occur most frequently in moist areas of the body. Although Candida albicans and other Candida yeasts are the most frequent offenders, other yeast groups are known to cause illness, primarily in immunocompromised patients. These include Torulopsis, Cryptococcus, Malassezia, and Trichosporon yeasts. Diagnosis is by observation, and can be confirmed by culturing a stool or mucosa sample, or a scraping from the affected area. Treatment is by topical or oral antifungal medications. Acidophilous, a helpful bacteria that normally helps to keep yeast in check, can also be tried in supplement form or in yogurt with live cultures. See also Candida albicans, candidiasis, thrush, yeast vaginitis , yeast  rash.\n\nFor a vaginal yeast infection, an over-the-counter topical cream or suppository (a pill that dissolves in the vagina) containing miconazole or clotrimazole is typically suggested.  If over-the-counter medications are not effective, your doctor may prescribe a cream with terconazole or an oral antifungal drug containing fluconazole. \n\nHow Can I Prevent It? \n\n\nIf work keeps your hands in water for long periods, wear rubber gloves.  When you're done, wash your hands and apply a mild prescription or over-the-counter antifungal cream. \nWear cotton or silk underclothes, which, unlike nylon and other synthetics, allow excess moisture to evaporate. Wash and dry your underclothes thoroughly; change them often. \nDouching or using deodorant feminine hygiene sprays, tampons, sanitary pads or toliet paper can increase your chances of getting a vaginal yeast infection.  It may be helpful to eat yogurt in an effort to replenish the good bacteria that help your body combat the overgrowth of yeast.\n\nVaginal infections can be triggered by dozens of daily things, such as your sexual behavior, hormones (including hormonal contraceptives, changes in menstrual cycle), vaginal blood (from your period, irregular bleeding, etc.), anything inserted into the vagina (diaphragm, tampons, strings from an IUD), or medications (antibiotics, douching agents, antifungal agents, spermicides). Studies have even found that women from different races have different vaginal ecosystems, predisposing some groups of women to more vaginal infections than others. \n\nHope all that helps!
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Because it is a overgrowth of yeast in a otherwise normal discharge. Small amounts of yeast and other organisms are normally found in your vagina, as well as in your mouth and digestive tract. Yeast infections occur when the balance of organisms in your vagina is upset and the amount of yeast in your vagina overgrows, causing an infection. Yeast infections are most likely to act up just before or just after your menstrual period. If you believe you have a yeast infection for the first time, go to your doctor so that they can rule out anything more serious such as an STD and there should not be any overwheming fishy smell if so mention it your doctor, it could be something more serious. Good luck.
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I don't know about the brewer's yeast,  but a couple of the responses you have gotten here are just plain wrong.  A vaginal yeast infection is just that, it is an infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the vaginal canal, often resulting from loss of the normal bacteria found in this area.  The usual culprit is an organism called Candida albicans.  This is a yeast, not bacteria.  Many antibiotics when taken by women can cause a reduction of the normal bacteria in the vaginal canal, the loss of bacteria allows yeast ro grow.  Other things that can cause vaginal yeast infections can be douches, bubble baths and even sex.  There is a complex environment within the vagina a certain amount of bacteria and even a small amount of yeast is normal. also there is a normal pH.  If any of these factors become imbalanced, an infection often occurs.
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Vaginal yeast infections commonly occur during pregnancy, probably related to the high estrogen levels. Consistently high estrogen is the most likely reason that treatment takes longer to cure a yeast infection during pregnancy.\n\nThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that only vaginal medications, such as cream or vaginal suppositories, be used for yeast infection treatment during pregnancy. Treatment takes longer than usual during pregnancy; 7 days of medication is recommended.\nIf you are pregnant, do not use these nonprescription medications without first discussing your condition with your health professional.\n\nDiflucan is NOT safe to take during pregnancy.
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bacteria.  Could be a yeast infection or other bacteria.  Could be a chemical imbalance.  Could be nothing.  See your pediatrician.
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i also want this answer because i also have vaginal fungal infection because of diabetes\nuse antifungal creams
1139038
you need to see a doctor.... a number of things could be wrong.  something as simple as a yeast infection or something more serious.
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yes,  The infection is caused by a type of yeast or fungus called Candida this yeast lives in your mouth,vagina, and rectum all the time, but it sometimes gets out of control and causes an infection. You need to go to a doctor to get medicine to correct the condition.
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Yes- men can get yeast infections, and it is treated with antifungal creams and ointments.  If you feel you have a yeast infection, your partner also needs to be treated, as it can be passed back and forth.  Please see your doctor for confirmation that you indeed have one.