The health information provided on emmagoldman.com is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Nothing stated by this website or linked pages should be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you have an urgent medical problem call 911 immediately or contact your healthcare provider.

What is it?

Yeast (a fungus) and bacteria are normal in the vagina. Sometimes either one can grow too much and cause either a yeast or a bacterial vaginal infection.

70% of women have at least one yeast vaginal infection in their lifetime. About 5% have recurrent yeast infections.

Men also have yeast infections of the genital infections. This is commonly called jock itch.

How do I know if I have a Yeast Vaginal Infection?

These are some signs and symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection:

• Itching and burning of the external genitals, especially on urination
• A white or yellow discharge. The discharge is usually thick like cottage cheese, but it may also be thin and watery
• The external genitals may look red and/or swollen
• There may be a yeasty odor
• There is usually pain on vaginal penetration

When you see a health practitioner, they will collect a sample of vaginal discharge and look for yeast in a microscope. This is called a wet prep. The wet prep is needed to rule out bacterial and trichimonal infections which need different treatments.

Symptoms men have are redness and irritation or itching of the penis, scrotum, and/or groin area. There may be a cheesy material under the foreskin (if present) or underneath the penis.

What increases the chance of getting a Yeast Infection?

Even though both men and women may have a yeast infection, it is usually not passed between partners during sexual relations.

Anything that will cause the vagina to be less acidic will help yeast to grow. Some examples are:

• Frequent sexual intercourse with seminal fluid deposited in the vagina. Seminal fluid is alkaline so it makes the vagina less acidic.
• Menstrual periods, because blood is neutral so it also makes the vagina less acidic.
• Oral sex
• Not washing after sexual activities
• Birth control methods: pills, IUDs, diaphragm, cervical cap, and spermicides
• Antibiotics taken to treat infections
• Use of douches, vaginal deodorants, scented pads/tampons/panty liners, scented/colored toilet paper, scented bath bubbles/oils, etc.
• Some fabric softeners and laundry soaps
• Vaginal intercourse after anal intercourse without changing condoms or washing the penis or penetrating instrument
• Sharing sex toys or personal care items
• Pregnancy
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
• Hormone replacement therapy after menopause, or removal of the ovaries
• Lower functioning immune system caused by stress, HIV infection, steroid medications, treatments that lower functioning of the immune system such as cancer treatments

What are some treatments for yeast infections?

Prescription treatments - Do not use during pregnancy (effect not known)

• Terconazole (Terazol) Apply or insert for 7 days. External/Internal - Apply to genitals or inside the vagina with applicator
• Terconazole (Terazol) Insert suppository into vagina for 3 days
• Fluconazole (Diflucan) 150mg pill swallowed, 1 dose

Over the Counter Treatments All are external, apply to genitals

• Miconazole (Monistat)
• Clotrimazole (Gynelotrimin, Lotrimin, Mycelex)
• Nystatain (Mycostatin)
• Butoconazole (Femstat)
• Tioconazole (Vagistat)

Alternative Treatments
Try one or more of the following treatments especially for a few days before, during, and after your menstrual period:

• Ointments used for baby's diaper rash, such as Desitin or A&D ointments may sooth external genital irritations. Apply after toileting. Avoid the urethral opening.
• Eat more lactobacillus acidophilus found in yogurt and some other milk products
• Take lactobacillus acidophilus tablets 3 times a day for 1 to 2 weeks
• Insert a lactobacillus acidophilus tablet or capsule into the vagina morning and evening for 1 to 2 weeks.
• Fill the top section of a tampon inserted with plain, unsweetened, non-fruit or flavored yogurt and insert the yogurt into your vagina morning and evening for 1 to 2 weeks. Wear a panty liner or pad
• Insert boric acid capsules (600mg) into the vagina at bedtime for 1 to 2 weeks.
• Apply Vitamin E oil (from capsules) to the external genitals once a day for 5 to 10 days as needed. Wear a panty liner during the day. Refrigerate the Vitamin E capsules.
• Take garlic capsules by mouth daily for 1 to 2 weeks.
• Insert a fresh whole clove of garlic (without nicks in the clove) morning and evening for 1 to 2 weeks. Wrap the garlic clove in gauze and leave a tail so you remove the clove easily. You will notice the taste of garlic in your mouth.
• Dry genitals with a hair dryer after bath or shower.
• The effectiveness of alternative treatments is not known.

What can I do to help prevent yeast infections?

Heat and moisture in the area can cause yeast to grow. Keep the genital area as clean, cool, and dry as possible. The following actions help prevent growth of yeast:

• Avoid situations listed in the section above when possible (What increases the chance of getting a yeast infection).
• Always wipe front to back after urinating and bowel movements. Wash the front area to back after toileting when possible.
• Never douche. This causes vaginal infections.
• Use natural soaps.
• Urinate before and after intercourse and/or genital stimulation.
• Avoid wearing tight, synthetic clothing, such as panty hose and nylon tights and sitting around in wet swimming suits.
• Wear loose cotton clothing.
• Wear long skirts with no underpants when at home to keep the area dry.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time such as at a computer terminal.
• Wear condoms during sexual intercourse.
• Decrease stress in your life and get more rest.
• Avoid sugar, coffee, yeast, cheese, sausage, smoked fish, vinegar, and monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Learn a relaxation technique and do it at least once or twice a day
• If you get yeast infections when taking antibiotics, start yeast treatment at the same time as you start the antibiotic and continue it for 3 days after you stop the antibiotic.
• Take Vitamin C 500mg 1 to 4 times a day. This makes the vagina more acidic.
• If you get yeast infections on birth control pills, consider the Depo Provera shot.

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The health information provided on emmagoldman.com is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Nothing stated by this website or linked pages should be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you have an urgent medical problem call 911 immediately or contact your healthcare provider.