Genital candidiasis

Genital candidiasis, also known as a yeast infection or Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) or vaginal yeast infections, is one of the most common infections seen in three quarters of women. About 75% of all adult women have had at least one genital yeast infection in their lifetime. Sometimes males also experience genital candidiasis. Genital candidiasis occurs when there is an overproduction of the fungus called Candida which is always present in the body in small amounts. Candida can also multiply suddenly when there is a hormonal imbalance or when the normal acidity of the vagina changes.

People with weakened immune systems usually suffer from genital candidiasis. This type of infection can occur in women during their pregnancy or when they take medication for long duration with high doses of antibiotics or take corticosteroid medications. Diabetes mellitus may also cause VVC.

Symptoms of genital candidiasis

Women with yeast infection usually experience thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, itching, burning or irritation of the vagina, pain during sexual intercourse and even burning sensation during urination. Although rare but males too sometimes experience itchy rash on the penis and irritation that result in genital candidiasis.

Diagnosis

VVC is generally diagnosed on the basis of symptoms. The physician conducts thorough examination of pelvis of the woman suffering from yeast infection. Sometimes, slide test helps to find out whether the yeasts are present due to the genital secretions of male and female. The physician may also require a laboratory test of the genital swab taken from the area affected from genital candidiasis. If this problem tends to reiterate in some people even after taking treatment then the physician would again take the swab test to find out the presence of Candida albicans. It is also possible that the swabs taken from outside the vagina could produce negative result in spite of the presence of yeast inside it and rashes appeared evidently on the vulva.

Genital Candidiasis Treatment

Among a host of treatment methods of genital candidiasis, you can choose the one that can be suitable for your body. In mild cases, the physician generally advises to use antifungal pessaries to a restricted area of the body or to use vaginal tablets. During pregnancy, it is recommended to use creams instead of tablets. For those suffering from severe infection due to overabundance of Candida albicans, oral antifungal medicines can be effective treatment. Sometimes genital rashes can be due to other reasons than overgrowth of Candida and therefore the people could not be treated successfully. So, always consult good physician for proper diagnosis and effective treatment. The treatment methods can either take a day or even a fortnight, depending upon the condition of the problem, but one gets relief usually in first couple of days. Genital candidiasis, if left untreated, may hang on and can exacerbate the condition. Sometimes, it may even cause sepsis, the presence of pus-forming bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues.

Prevention of Genital Candidiasis:

Don’t wear nylon pantyhose and prefer wearing loose fitting clothes and cotton underwear.

If you want to clean your genitals, then instead of using soap, it is much better to use a cleanser containing no soap. Alternatively, you can wash with aqueous cream. You can also soak in a salt bath.

To get rid of itching, use hydrocortisone cream and treat secondary dermatitis affecting the vulva.

Prior to each menstruation cycle as well as before undergoing any antibiotic therapy, apply antifungal cream in the affected areas. This precautionary method will make you to relapse.

Sometimes, you may suffer from dermatitis if you apply antifungal creams topically for long term. This could also result in sudden multiplication of non-albicans Candida.

According to the symptom antifungal medication can also be taken orally but avoid it during pregnancy or consult your doctor first.

You can also use 600mg of boric acid as a medication at night so that it can make the vagina more acidic to eliminate yeasts.

Avoid hot tubs, whirlpool spas and bubble baths.

If you are diabetic, monitor and regulate blood sugar.

Avoid use of vaginal sprays, deodorants or douches.

Proper toilet habits also keep VVC at bay. For example, wipe from front to rear.

It is advisable to keep the vagina lubricated and healthy using hormone pills or creams after menopause but first consult your physician.