Yeast infection is a very common female sexual health problem. Yeast infection is usually caused by a yeast known as Candida albicans but other yeasts can also cause it. Around 75% of women experience it once in their lives at least. In other words, it can be said that 3 out of every 4 women are likely to get yeast infection more than twice anytime during their lifetime. It is a type of fungal infection. Yeast infection in the genital area causes vaginal discharge, pain, and itching. Following are the symptoms of yeast infection in the genital area:
- Burning while urinating and having sex
- Rashes
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain, burning, stinging, or itching around the vagina
- Redness or inflammation
- Sores or fissures on skin
- Thick and white vaginal discharge that smells like cottage cheese
Causes of yeast infection
As it is mentioned earlier, the fungus Candida causes yeast infection. Candida is a naturally occurring microorganism that is found in the vagina. The Lactobacillus bacteria make sure that it does not grow in dangerous amounts. But if there is some problem with the functioning of genitals, the Lactobacillus bacteria will not work effectively. The malfunctioning of Lactobacillus can cause a vaginal yeast infection. The following factors also increase your risk of developing yeast infection:
- Pregnancy
- Certain antibiotics that may decrease the amounts of Lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina
- Weak immune system
- Poor diet
- Hormonal imbalance
- Uncontrollable diabetes
- Increased levels of stress
- Insomnia
Yeast infections can be contagious as you can pass them to your sexual partner during vaginal or oral sex. It can also spread through sex toys. If you have a vaginal yeast infection during the delivery of your baby, it is possible for your baby to get a fungal diaper rash. But yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Yeast infections are very likely to occur again and again if developed once. Moreover, its chances to develop over and over again increase if you are expecting a baby, have a weaker immune system or are diabetic. Make sure that you seek treatment for yeast infections as soon as possible as they may have very uncomfortable symptoms. If it is left untreated for a long period of time, it can spread to other organs in your body as well.
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