What the Heck is a Yeast Infection Anyway?

Your mom always told you that you would have a period (“I will have blood coming from where?”) but did she tell you that some time in your life you could have a yeast infection? And if she didn’t, do you blame her? She’s already scared you to death with the horror of knowing the first subject. Well, a yeast infection is no joke. The symptoms that come with a yeast infection are less than pleasant. But don’t be alarmed they are quite common. According to womenshealth.gov, 75% share the burden of this infection at least once in their lives. About 5% of women get four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year. For those of you that have had one you may have just “fixed” the problem but do you really know what caused it? And for those that have a disliking toward the word vagina, Hoohah will be playing the role of Vagina.

Causes

No, having a yeast infection does not mean you are dirty or germy and it is not an STD. It’s just something that happens. Yeast is a type of fungus that is already produced naturally within our hoohah. If there is an overgrowth of this fungus an infection can occur. Here’s a few things that can cause this rise in yeast:

• Stress (Gotta let that stress gooooo!)
• Lack of sleep
• Sickness
• Bad eating habits, including gobbling down extreme amounts of sugary foods
• Pregnancy (a perfect reason for me not to conceive)
• Having your period
• Birth control pills
• Steroids
• Diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes and HIV/AIDS
• Hormonal changes during your periods
• Antibiotics used to treat UTI’s or respiratory infections. (Not only will antibiotics kill the bad bacteria, they can kill the good, i.e. yeast.)
• Chemotherapy
• Weakened immune system
• There has also been proof that it can be passed back and forth to your male sexual partner

Symptoms

This is where this infection gets real creative. If you begin to feel any of the following symptoms consult with a physician first to make sure the diagnosis is accurate. And if it comes on again you will be more equipped with knowing how to handle it.

• Burning itch (may start out as a light annoying itch before it starts the burning sensation),
• Pain when urinating
• A thick white discharge from your hoohah
• Pain during sex
• A rash on the hoohah

Treatment

There are plenty of treatments on the market today that can help you with treating this irritating irritation. If you feel the need to take action with your physician first feel free to do so as well but just know an over the counter medication can help you just as well. Treatment ranges from creams, tablets or suppositories that can be inserted within your hoohah. But if you are pregnant, or having a yeast infection over and over again see a physician before trying anything over the counter. If you feel you might be passing it back and forth between you and your male partner have them checked out as well. Men may not show symptoms if they are carriers.

Top Brands to Use:

• Monistat 1-day (great for hitting the beach the next day)
• Monistat 3-day
• Monistat 7-day (cheaper and takes longer)
• Femstat 3
• Lotrimin

Prevention

• Avoid douches because it cleans out your good protecting bacteria
• Avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads, and tampons
• Change tampons and pads often during your period
• No more camel toe-ing it! Avoid tight clothes or clothes made of synthetic fibers
• Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch
• Change wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as you can
• Avoid hot tubs and very hot baths
• Thoroughly clean and dry your hoohah
• Yogurt believe it or not can keep an overgrowth of yeast at bay
• Remember, anything making it overly warm "down there" can cause an overgrowth in yeast.

There are actually good yeasts in our body but for some crazy reason I couldn't actually find out why yeast is valuable in the body at all. But from the little bit of information I could gather some yeasts in our body are important for boosting our immune systems.

So for those of you who have yet to experience this crazy thing, I hope you don't. But don't worry if it does happen to you. Just take the necessary steps to rid your body of it and fast before it takes you down. And for those who have gone through it, try a few preventative measures to reduce your vulnerability to it. .