A yeast infection commonly announces its presence by an irritated, red and itchy genital area. The frequency of urination is significantly increased, which is very disturbing. In case of a serious infection, the vulva will become inflated and fissured and the secretion will be thicker and will have the aspect and consistence of cottage cheese. All these factors cause pain during sexual contact.

Candida is generated by the overgrowth of yeast cells, which are only present in a small number inside of a healthy vagina. The cause is a fungus, Candida alitans. 75 % of the women have at least one vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in a lifetime. VVC may be easy in which case the patient is responding to the treatment in the desired way and recurrent, which is more serious and strongly affects diabetic women and those with Candida glabrata. The last type implies around 4 recurrences in 12 months and necessitates long term treatment (2 weeks) and therapy for half a year.

There is a series of elements that produce abnormalities in the vaginal balance. Such elements are: diabetes, pregnancy, clothing, antibiotics or obesity and they influence the speed of reproduction on the yeast cells, generating the symptoms. AIDS, birth control methods, excessive sugar and starch may also generate vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Yeast cells are also present inside the intestine, so you should be careful about the way you wipe after going to the toilet and avoid during sexual contact to spread yeast cells from your bowl and rectum to your vagina.

Men are less likely to contaminate their sexual partners than women, because the fungus dries when exposed to air. Frequent intercourse with an infected woman determines the disease to occur in men and generates itchy, red, irritated penis. Candida is frequently transmitted among lesbians.

In order to obtain a correct diagnosis, the health care professional will examine the patient's history, will perform a pelvic examination and a culture test of the vaginal secretion. The treatment includes anti fungal medicines; a good response to these substances gives a confirmation of the diagnosis.

The specific treatment for yeast infections consists in antifungals, under the form of suppositories and vaginal creams, both prescription and non prescription. It is only a matter of days for the problem to be alleviated, but it is extremely important for you to follow the entire course of the treatment, in order to prevent a recurrence. In case the symptoms persist, address your health care professional, because it is possible for another disorder of the skin to be present.

Learn more about candida albicans, the cause of candidiasis and about performing an effective candida cleanse .