Yeast Infections and How to Cure Them

WHAT IS A YEAST INFECTION?

A yeast infection is a type of infection of the vagina. Yeast infections are among the most common reasons for calls and visits to health professionals. Although they're not serious, they feel gross and itchy. Your health professional can usually tell you at a regular appointment if you have a yeast infection. The symptoms of a yeast infection are so easy to recognize that many girls can decide themselves if they have one. You can easily treat a yeast infection with a prescription medicine or with one of the many nonprescription medicines available in the drug store. A yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease. Any girl can get one.

HOW DO YOU GET A YEAST INFECTION?

Your vagina contains a number of different bacteria, including many that cause infections. Normally, a "good" bacteria, called lactobacillus, is the most common bacteria in your vagina. Lactobacillus prevents harmful bacteria and fungus from growing. But anything that changes the environment of the vagina can give the harmful bacteria the chance to cause an infection. If enough bad bacteria grow, you can get a yeast infection.

For example, if you take antibiotics for an illness like an ear infection, the antibiotics might kill the good lactobacilli and leave the harmful vaginal bacteria or yeast alone. That's why so many girls get vaginal infections after they take antibiotics. Some girls and women have to take medications such as steroids that suppress their immune system. Pregnancy and diabetes (especially if it is not properly treated) also can make the vagina more welcoming for harmful bacteria. All of these illnesses and medicines make it more difficult for your body to fight off vaginal infections and you may get a yeast infection because of them.