Common, Distressing Infection
It is estimated that 75 percent of all women will experience a thrush infection at least once in their lives. It is also important to realise that candida may be present in the vagina in approximately 30 percent of women, and cause no symptoms at all, as the amounts are small and held in balance by the natural acidity of the vagina.
Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. It is not a sexually transmitted disease, but sexual intercourse can irritate the vagina, causing the condition. Sperm is also alkaline (opposite of acid) and thus favours the growth of candida. |
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Lowered Immunity
The biggest cause of thrush or fungal infections is lowered immunity, diabetes, or as a result of illness. Repeated yeast or fungal infections can also be cause by other, less serious, illnesses or physical and mental stress.
Other causes include use of antibiotics and some other medications, including birth control pills, significant change in the diet, poor nutrition and pregnancy. Environmental factors such as poor hygiene and allergens can also cause fungal infections.
Some women get mild yeast infections like thrush towards the end of their menstrual periods, possibly in response to the body’s hormonal changes. Pregnant women are also more prone to develop yeast infections.
Wearing tight fitting underwear, douches, and the use of perfumed feminine hygiene sprays may increase the chance of developing an infection.
Whilst men rarely suffer from a yeast infection, if you have one your partner should be treated too. A man is less likely than a woman to be aware of having a yeast infection because he may not have any symptoms.
As with females, lowered immunity, rather than sexual transmission, is the most frequent cause of genital yeast infections.
You don’t have to be sexually active to suffer from a thrush infection and in fact, babies can sometimes get a mild thrush infection in their mouths or on their bottoms.
Prevention
* Ensure you wash and thoroughly dry the genital area at least once a day and avoid perfumed and coloured soaps, bubble baths and vaginal douches.
* Wipe with toilet paper from front to back after a bowel movement.
* Do not wear tight clothes or underwear.
* Some women recommend eating live yoghurt to stop yeast infections and some also use it on the vaginal area.
While this may not be scientifically supported, it won’t do any harm.
Treatment
Treatment is usually in the form of a cream, vaginal pessary or more recently an oral medication, all of which you can buy over the counter. But if you have not experienced the problem before it is best to have the condition confirmed by a doctor.
Some people are also becoming concerned at the easiness of getting over-the-counter treatment, and the possible side effects that recurrent use may have.
They are turning to alternative natural treatments such as aromatherapy. Sweet almond oil and tea tree oil are considered to work well, but again you need to see a qualified aromatherapist in the first place.
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