Yeast is a fungus normally found in the vagina, but in small colonies. A vaginal yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis, develops when there are too many fungal cells proliferating in the vagina. Although the severity of symptoms can be considered from "annoying" to "unbearable", most fungal vaginitis can be treated without difficulty.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing an Infection
Step 1. Check for symptoms
This infection involves a number of physical signs that indicate its presence. Let's remember the most common:
- Itching, tenderness and general discomfort in the vaginal area.
- Pain or burning during urination and sex.
- White, thick vaginal discharge, similar to cottage cheese, although not all women have this symptom.
Step 2. Evaluate the potential causes
If you are having a hard time figuring out whether or not you have vaginal mycosis, then you need to consider the most common causes of this infection.
- Antibiotics: Many women develop a fungal infection after taking antibiotics for several days. This class of drugs kills some of the "good" bacterial flora in the vagina, including the microorganisms that control the yeast population, resulting in yeast proliferation. If you've recently undergone a course of antibiotics and suffer from vaginal burning and itching, then you may have candida.
- Menstruation: A woman has a higher chance of developing the infection during her period. So, if you experience the symptoms described above near the days of your period, then you could have mycosis.
- Contraceptives: the contraceptive pill and the one called "the day after" modify the hormone levels and could trigger the infection.
- Existing systemic disorders: Certain diseases, such as HIV or diabetes, can cause yeast infection.
- Pregnancy: Due to the major hormonal changes that accompany pregnancies, fungal infections are particularly likely during this period.
- Overall health: Illness, obesity, poor sleep habits, and stress make you more vulnerable to this type of disorder.
Step 3. Buy a kit to measure pH at home
There are tests you can buy at the pharmacy to determine the health of your vagina and they are very similar to those for pregnancy. Normal vaginal pH is around 4, which is slightly acidic. Carefully follow the instructions that appear on the device leaflet.
- These tests usually involve holding a small piece of test paper (which indicates the pH) leaning against the wall of the vagina for a few seconds. So, you have to compare the color of the indicator with a table provided with the test itself. The number corresponding to the color that the piece of paper has taken indicates your vaginal pH level.
- If the result is greater than 4, it is best to contact the gynecologist. This Not it means you have fungal vaginitis, but it could be a sign of another infection.
- If the result is less than 4, it is likely (but not certain) that you have vaginal mycosis.
Step 4. Go to the gynecologist to confirm the diagnosis
If you have never suffered from fungal vaginitis or are unsure of the diagnosis, then make an appointment at your gynecologist's office. After a brief check of the vagina, the doctor will take a sample of the leak with a cotton swab to count the fungal cells (vaginal swab). Your gynecologist may also recommend several tests to rule out other causes of your discomfort.
- Although a fungal infection in young women is very common, accurate self-diagnosis is not easy. Research has shown that only 35% of women with previous episodes of vaginal candidiasis are able to diagnose the infection based on symptoms alone. Herpetic outbreaks and allergic reactions to laundry detergents are often confused with vaginal candidiasis.
- Remember there are several potential causes for abnormal vaginal discharge, itching and burning, including other infections such as trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. For example, many symptoms of mycosis are similar to those of a sexually transmitted disease. If you suffer from frequent fungal vaginitis, then your gynecologist will do a culture of the secretions to see if the infection is caused by other candida species besides Candida Albicans.
- Pregnant women should not treat a fungal infection without first consulting their gynecologist.
Method 2 of 3: Pharmacological Treatment
Step 1. Be very careful with self-treatment medications
Remember that you should only treat mycosis yourself if you are sure of the diagnosis. However, be aware that even women who have already experienced fungal vaginitis can often fall into error. If you have even the slightest doubt, go to the gynecologist.
Step 2. Take medication by mouth
Your doctor may prescribe you a single-dose tablet of an antifungal drug whose active ingredient is fluconazole. It should be taken by mouth and works within 12-24 hours.
This is the quickest and most effective way to treat fungal vaginitis. If the symptoms are very serious, call the gynecologist's office immediately to find out if this therapy is right for you
Step 3. Try topical treatments
Topical application of drugs is the most common therapeutic approach; you can find on the market both over-the-counter products and medicines that can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. These treatments include antifungal creams, ointments and pessaries that need to be applied or inserted into the vagina. Over-the-counter creams and ointments are available in pharmacies and drugstores; if you do not know which product is best for you, ask your pharmacist for advice.
- The active substances contained in this class of medicines are part of the azoles and include clotrimazole (Canesten), butoconazole, miconazole nitrate and tioconazole. These drugs are available in various formats (for a single application, for a three-day treatment, and so on); for this reason it is advisable to ask the pharmacist or doctor for advice before proceeding with the purchase.
- Remember to carefully read the instructions on the leaflet, because they provide you with specific instructions on how to apply the cream and / or insert the eggs into the vagina. It is extremely important that you follow the instructions; if you are unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
Step 4. Complete the therapy cycle
Do not stop treatment too soon as soon as symptoms go away. Continue to take or use the medicine according to the instructions on the package.
- If you are using an over-the-counter medication and do not feel benefit within two or three days, then call your gynecologist's office and make an appointment to consider an alternative treatment.
- When using pessaries or antifungal creams you need to be especially careful with condoms. The oil contained in some medicines is able to weaken the latex of condoms.
Step 5. Remember that treatment depends on the type of infection
Although mild fungal vaginitis should go away within a few days, severe cases take longer to resolve. Your gynecologist may prescribe a drug for up to two weeks.
- If you continue to have recurrences, then you should discuss this with your doctor. The presence of repeated fungal vaginitis could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or the need to change diet.
- To keep the yeast population in your body in check, your gynecologist might prescribe a drug (such as fluconazole) to take once or twice a week for six months. Other specialists prefer to prescribe clotrimazole pessaries to be inserted once a week rather than oral medications.
Method 3 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Drink 100% pure cranberry juice
This wild fruit is able to prevent and treat mycoses and urinary tract infections. Make sure it's 100% pure juice, as the added sugar will only make the situation worse.
- You can also buy blueberry supplements in pills.
- This is a fairly mild remedy and blueberries are useful if you are concerned that you are about to develop yeast infection. If the infection is already overt, then blueberry can be a useful supplement for other more effective treatments.
Step 2. Eat or apply plain yogurt
You can either consume it as a food or spread it on the vagina. In this second case you need a syringe without a needle to insert it directly into the vagina. Alternatively, you can fill a plastic applicator for tampons with yogurt, freeze it and then insert the frozen "egg". The basic concept of this treatment consists in the fact that yogurt contains live lactic bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus) which are able to restore the vaginal bacterial flora to normal levels.
Some women claim to have resolved their infection by eating lactobacillus-rich yogurt, although this remedy is not confirmed by medical science. Furthermore, several studies seem to suggest that there are no (or very little) benefits to consuming or spreading yogurt in the vagina
Step 3. Take probiotics
You can take food supplements that contain lactobacillus acidophilus and are called probiotics. You can buy them at pharmacies, drugstores and health food stores, as well as in some supermarkets. Some women also use probiotic pessaries to treat fungal vaginitis, although research results are still mixed and more studies are needed.
- Generally speaking, probiotics are safe because they are very similar to the "good" bacteria that live in our bodies. Additionally, some probiotics have been consumed for centuries through fermented foods, drinks and milk. However, more research is needed to determine the safety of probiotics in people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly and children.
- Before inserting or applying probiotics in the vagina, consult always the gynecologist. Most doctors always recommend taking it orally over topical application.
Step 4. Reduce your consumption of sugar and caffeine
The sugar present in chocolate, candies and also in fruit juices causes glycemic spikes that favor the proliferation of yeasts. Caffeine also worsens this effect by accelerating the speed of these spikes.
If you suffer from fungal vaginitis often, you should consider cutting back on the sugar and caffeine you consume every day
Step 5. Pay attention to your clothing
Avoid tight pants and wear cotton underwear to ensure the vaginal area "wicks away" and keeps it cool. Fungi thrive in hot, humid environments, so make sure your clothes are dry and allow for good air circulation. All this prevents the yeasts from multiplying.
- Change your underwear daily and wear loose-fitting pants, shorts, and skirts.
- Replace wet clothing as soon as possible, including your swimsuit and workout clothes.
- Avoid whirlpools and very hot baths, because mushrooms love hot and humid environments.
Warnings
- Wait for the infection to clear up before having sex. Mycosis does not spread with sexual contact, but men can show some symptoms, such as itching, after having sex with an infected person.
- If you have more than four episodes of a fungal infection (called vulvovaginal candidiasis) in a year, then you should see your gynecologist, as this could be a sign of a more serious illness such as diabetes.
- If your symptoms don't go away after treatment, make another appointment with your gynecologist. Not all drugs and over-the-counter products are effective for all women.
