Let’s start with some scientific information on yeast infections.
According to Wikipedia, the genus Candida and the species Candida albicans were described in 1923 by the botanist Christine Marie Berkhout in her doctoral thesis at the University of Utrecht. Over time, the classification of genera and species has evolved.
There are about 150 species of candida. Most do not cause infection in humans. The most important is candida albicans. Others include Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida lusitaniae.
Although candida yeasts can usually be found in the body, their growth is usually limited. The human immune system and other microorganisms, including bacteria, prevent growth.
About a fifth of women have small amounts of yeast in their vagina, but do not have a noticeable yeast infection.
If the balance of different types of bacteria in the vagina is disturbed, it can allow overgrowth of candida yeast.
The risk factors are:
- get a shower
- Hormone imbalances
- Stress
- The pregnancy
- oral contraceptives
- The yeast spread from the anus
- Lubricants containing glycerin
- Diabetes
- antibiotics
- antibacterial
- the food you eat
People are more likely to get a Candida yeast infection if their immune system is weakened. A yeast infection can, in extreme cases, enter the bloodstream and cause a systemic yeast infection.
Male genital yeast infection is much less common than in women. Causes include low immunity, taking antibiotics, diabetes, and sexual intercourse with an infected partner.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection vary depending on the affected area.
When there is a vaginal infection, symptoms can include itching, burning, and pain along with discharge.
Male yeast infections can include red, patchy sores on the genitals, with an itchy or burning sensation. Penile yeast infection may also have a white or watery discharge, although this is not common. In fact, not having any symptoms is common, and more severe symptoms may appear at a later time.
Diagnosis
Doctors generally use microscopic examination and/or culture to diagnose fungal infections.
A scraping or swab is placed on a microscope slide. A 10% potassium hydroxide solution is applied. The solution leaves the candida cells intact while dissolving the skin cells.
The swab is placed in culture medium and incubated to allow yeast to grow, if present. The way they grow can allow a diagnosis of what is causing the disease.
Treatment
Candida is most commonly treated with antifungal medications in the form of pills, creams, or suppositories in the case of vaginal yeast infection.
This is usually an effective treatment, but the nocturnal symptoms return in a few weeks or months.
In order to stop recurring yeast infections, it is important to keep the body’s environment healthy so that yeast does not proliferate. Usually a holistic and natural approach is needed.