Vagina Yeast Infections – Definition

Vagina Yeast Infections are inflammations caused with microorganisms from group of medically important funguses, which are main cause of infections in female reproductive system. They can be very unpleasant, but, for women, without some serious diseases, these infections can’t be dangerous. In most cases women get infected women are pregnant women, diabetes mellitus patients, or women who were exposed to antibiotic therapy. Scientific term for yeast is Candida.

Vagina yeast infections is also called a Vaginal candidiasis or Monilial vaginitis in English, and Candidosis vaginalis, Moniliasis vaginalis in Latin language.

Pathogens

Most common cause ( 85 – 90 % ) of this infection is Candida albicans, in 5 – 8% cases cause is Candida glabrata and in rare cases ( up to 4% ), cause are the other species in this genus: Candida krusei, Candida famata, Candida tropicalis, Candida lusitaniae.

Genus Candida is divided on about 200 species. Candida albicans is part of physiological human flora, that is, microorganism which is part of healthy human organism. Usually it doesn’t make any harm, and it lives on mucosa. It is located in vagina mucosa in 35% of healthy women, in higher part of respiratory system in body of 77% of health persons, and in digestive system in body of 85% of whole human population. Acidity of vagina and presence of the others usually present microorganisms, keeps number of Candidas low. Cause of infections usually are Candidas of infected women.

Candida infection isn’t considered as sexually transmissive disease, cause of infection could be transmissed with sexual contact with infected person; 12 – 15 % of men will, after sexual contact with infected women, have symptoms like itching and rash of sexual organ ( balanopostitis ).

Risk factors for Vagina Yeast Infection

Change in level of vagina acidity and lower number of other microorganisms, could be cause of infection. Level of vagina acidity can be changed in periods of menstruation, some diseases ( mostly diabetes ), pregnancy, menopause, use of antibiotics, hormone contraception with estrogen, and steroids. Humidity and stimulation of vagina, are, also, positive factors for growth of these funguses.

Symptoms of Vaginal Yeast Infection

Vagina Yeast Infection is manifested in unpleasant vagina itching; whitish and thick vaginal discharge; pain during sexual contact and urination.

Treatment of Vagina Yeast Infection

Vagina Yeast Infection ( Candida ), this painful vagina itchy, is treated mostly with antimycotics – medicines against funguses: clotrimazole ( Canesten, Plimycol ), nystatin ( Nystatin, Moronal ), amphothericin ( Ampho-Moronal ) and natamycin ( Pimafucin ), in the form of vaginal tablets or cremes. Therapy can be long 1 – 7 days.