Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 169) women YEAST INFECTIONS Getting back to normal Yeast infections can be very uncomfortable but are usually not serious. They are typically treated with topical medicine that you put into your vagina. This medicine may be a cream that you insert in your vagina with a special applicator. It’s also available as a suppository that you put into recommends ■ Don’t wear tight-fitting Vaginal yeast infections: A treatable problem Yeast infections sound serious, but the main problem is discomfort and you can take action. By Karen I. Montemayor your vagina and allow to dissolve on its own. You can also take medicine for yeast infections by mouth in a pill form. Medicine in a cream form can also be put on your vulva to help relieve itching. The right diagnosis matters The first time you have symptoms of a yeast infection, be sure to see your doctor before you start taking medicine. He or she will talk to you about your symptoms and examine you to make sure a yeast infection is the cause. The symptoms of a yeast infection can be similar to the symptoms of other vaginal infections, and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Treating yourself for a yeast infection when you actually have another type of infection will delay the right treatment. It can even make the problem worse in some cases. If you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection twice or more, talk to your doctor about using an antifungal cream at the first sign of yeast infection symptoms. This medicine is available over-the-counter (without a doctor’s prescription). If you prefer to take a pill to treat your yeast infection, you’ll need a prescription from your doctor. Karen I. Montemayor is a senior associate editor with the American Academy of Family Physicians, headquartered in Leawood, Kan. or synthetic-fiber (for example, polyester or rayon) clothes. ■ Wear cotton panties. ■ Don’t wear pantyhose or leotards every day. ■ Use your blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry your genital area after you bathe or shower. ■ Wipe from front to back after using the toilet. ■ Change out of wet swimsuits or damp clothes as soon as you can. Change out of wet swimsuits as soon as you can. T rue or false? There’s a yeast fungus living inside every woman’s vagina. It may sound gross, but it’s true. It’s called Candida albicans. Normally, the vagina’s acidic environment helps keep the small amount of Candida from growing. Unfortunately, if the vagina becomes less acidic, the yeast fungus can grow out of control and cause a vaginal yeast infection. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF YEAST INFECTIONS? ■ Itching and burning in What causes a vaginal yeast infection? The acidic balance of the vagina can be changed by your period (menstruation), pregnancy or diabetes, or by use of birth control pills, steroids or some antibiotics. Moisture and irritation in your vaginal area also seem to encourage yeast to grow. ■ A white vaginal ■ Pain during sexual ? the vagina and around the vulva (the skin that surrounds your vagina). intercourse or urination. of the vulva. ■ Don’t douche or use discharge that may look like cottage cheese. feminine hygiene sprays, deodorant, sanitary pads or tampons, or bubble bath. Also, avoid using colored or perfumed toilet paper. ■ Don’t take antibiotics unless they are absolutely necessary. ■ Swelling and redness ADDITIONAL INFORMATION American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org/206.xml National Women’s Health Information Center http://www.4woman.gov/faq/yeastinfect.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/candidiasis_gen_g.htm U.S. National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001511.htm A wide-ranging problem Yeast infections are most common in teenage girls and women between 16 and 35 years of age, although they can occur in girls as young as 10 or 11 and in older women (and, less often, in men). familydoctor 2007 169 http://familydoctor.org/206.xml http://www.4woman.gov/faq/yeastinfect.htm http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/candidiasis_gen_g.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001511.htm
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