Hey Women What the Heck Causes those Dang Yeast Infections?

[curling]

Man, those thing are starting to mess with my sex life. Since me and my ole lady got fit we are averaging 6 or 7 times a week in the sack. But lately she has had a bad yeast infection. Is that from the increase sex? If it is what is the best thing for her to take to stop it. Dang, that stuff is even burning me now.

And I definetely don't want to munch right now but I really enjoy making her feel good.

Any advice on these dang yeast infections?

 

[Sassy69]

From about.com

What is a yeast infection?

A woman's vagina normally contains small amounts of a certain kind of fungus, candida albicans. However, when yeast in the vagina overgrows, a yeast infection develops, often leaving a vaginal discharge and/or an intense itching around the vagina and vulva.

What causes a yeast infection to develop?

A yeast infection can develop because of the following:

· increased heat and moisture in the crotch area, caused by wearing heavy, tight-fitting clothing, nylon underpants or pantyhose, or damp gym clothes

· not keeping the genital area clean

· being overweight, which blocks air circulation to the crotch area

· using products that contain perfumes or oils that irritate the skin or don't wash off

Ingesting too much yeast in the form of bread or alcohol does NOT cause a yeast infection!

What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections?

The only way to be sure you have a yeast infection is by making an appointment with your health care provider and having a swab of vaginal discharge looked at through a microscope. Most women can't do this at home, but if you have had a yeast infection diagnosed before, you may be able to tell by the feel, look, and smell of your discharge that you have a yeast infection.

· Feels like: An itching and/or burning sensation localized in the vagina and vulva. This itching is not always present, but it can be quite severe. It may or may not include redness or swelling. The itching and burning may be worse right after intercourse.

· Looks like: A discharge that may range in appearance from thick, white, and cottage cheese-like to a thin, faint yellow, almost clear.

· Smells like: A scent similar to bread or beer, almost exactly like yeast.

What can I do to help prevent a vaginal yeast infection?

You can help prevent a vaginal yeast infection by doing the following:

· Avoid bath oils and bubble baths.

· Clean the genital area daily with warm water.

· Wipe from front to back after urination and bowel movement.

· Wear cotton underwear and breathable clothing.

· Avoid tight-fitting clothing.

· Avoid feminine deodorant sprays and douches. They irritate the vulva and vaginal areas.

What can I do to treat a vaginal yeast infection?

First, get a diagnosis of a yeast infection from a health care provider. There are vaginal infections besides yeast that share similar symptoms of itchiness, painfulness, and discharge. Treatments may include either prescription or nonprescription medication. Pills, taken orally, require a prescription. Now, there are several antifungal vaginal creams and suppositories available without a prescription. Most of these are used for seven to 14 days. If you use suppositories, always store them in the refrigerator. There are stronger concentrations of this type of medication that can be taken for shorter periods of time, but these may require a prescription. Your health care provider will recommend a course of treatment. If you use an over-the-counter treatment when you don't really have a yeast infection, you could be building a resistance to medication. That means the next time you have a real yeast infection, it may be much harder to get rid of!

Note: Avoid any form of intercourse while taking yeast infection medication! You might affect the treatment's effectiveness.

Can anyone take over-the-counter medication for a vaginal yeast infection?

Women who are pregnant should consult their provider prior to using any over-the-counter medication. Other women are advised to read product labels carefully and consult a pharmacist if they have any questions.

Can men get yeast infections?

Yes, men can contract a yeast infection if they have unprotected sexual activity with a partner who has a yeast infection. If they are not treated, both partners can keep ping-ponging the infection back and forth.

What if I have recurrent or chronic yeast infections?

Ask your partner to be evaluated for the presence of yeast problems. He or she may require medication to prevent re-infecting you while you are being treated for a yeast infection. You may also want to talk to your health care provider about having a test for diabetes, since women with diabetes often have recurrent yeast infections. And, if you regularly take antibiotics, you should ask your provider to evaluate if these medications might be the cause of your yeast infections. Recurrent or chronic yeast infections can also be a possible sign of HIV infection. Other evidence supports that women who are overweight and who use oral contraceptives develop more yeast infections than women who are not overweight and who use other forms of birth control. If the treatment for your vaginal yeast infection does not work for you, see your provider for further evaluation.

For more information, see: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/WOMENSHEALTH/vaginitis.htm.

 

[curling]

Wow sassy that is quite a bit of information thanks. A couple more questions could a yeast effection move to the mouth via oral sex? My tongue hurts like I burnied it or something. The second question "no intercourse" are you sure about that? I can't live without sex.

 

[Kaizen]

The other issue is her male partner could be a carrier so that end needs to be looked at....

Also, going down on a woman if you've been drinking particularly champagne and wines and home brew beer can do it as well...

If she takes acidopholus supplementation that will help as well as just eating all natural acidopholus containg plain yogurt.

 

[Sassy69]

I don't think you can get a yeast infection in your mouth...? But if it doesn't taste good, why do the mouth thing until its over? (Back to the stanky thaing topic.) The bigger problem is that if you taste it (yuk) you probably had contact w/ it "down there" as well - so now you might be a carrier.

I asked a pharmacist once about it when I was taking anti-biotics for a cold. She said basically almost all women get yeast infections while taking anti-biotics. She said just eat some yogurt for a while. I'm not sure this is a guarantee (ref: LittleGirl's post about "itchy from primo"). An OB-GYN will probably tell you to get something like the 7-day or 3-day vaginal cream treatment or just get a prescription for diflucin. That's like a one or two day deal.

They are gross, but, that's life.

 

[Imnotdutch]

In this country they tell you to apply the yoghurt to the infected area.....its a bit more direct I guess.

I don't think you can get a yeast infection in your mouth...? But if it doesn't taste good, why do the mouth thing until its over? (Back to the stanky thaing topic.) The bigger problem is that if you taste it (yuk) you probably had contact w/ it "down there" as well - so now you might be a carrier.

I asked a pharmacist once about it when I was taking anti-biotics for a cold. She said basically almost all women get yeast infections while taking anti-biotics. She said just eat some yogurt for a while. I'm not sure this is a guarantee (ref: LittleGirl's post about "itchy from primo"). An OB-GYN will probably tell you to get something like the 7-day or 3-day vaginal cream treatment or just get a prescription for diflucin. That's like a one or two day deal.

They are gross, but, that's life.

 

[donutglazer]

too much icing

 

[dawgslappa]

Cut down on the wheat beer and wonderbread

 

[Shrebly]

A yeast infection can and will spread to other parts of the body - including the mouth and to sexual partners - but this has to be an ongoing thing - usually for a period over a year. If you can live with a yeast infection for a year then you deserve a prize.

If you and her are having sex without condoms - are you noticing any redness, itching or dryness of your unit?

As far as yogurt - it must be plain and have active cultures in it for it to be effective. While it can be orally ingested it can aslo be applied to the outer area or inserted vaginally (best if frozen then inserted - take a exam glove, turn it inside out, make sure it is clean, place it inside a coffee mug so the wrist band expands and pour the yogurt into the fingers. Freeze then insert into the vagina)

Most medical treatments can be bought over the counter and used over the period of a week - although some are 1 or 3 day treatments - skip those - most infections come back since there is no on going treatment.

Tell her to get her sugar tested as well, the urine may contain properties that remain after wiping that could turn into a breeding ground for the yeast culture to thrive in.

Taking 20 showers a day won't do anything but keep the area clean, even though you can't see it - it's still there. If she decides to see a doctor, make sure she showers at least 5 hours before the exam - if she showers too close to the appointment there may not be enough of a culture to examine and determine the course of action.

Good luck!