Shave your pubic hair if you want, but not at these times
Vaginal Thrush: What's Up 'down There'?
There are a number of myths circulating about vaginal thrush - like that a lack of hygiene is the cause or that yoghurt-dipped tampons are a home remedy. Here's what every woman should know about this common cause for itching and burning. Christin Klose/dpa
With symptoms that include itching and burning, vaginal thrush is no fun. Many women are understandably reluctant to talk about it, although medical experts say that three out of four get it at least once in their lifetime.
Also called vaginal yeast infection or vulvovaginal candidiasis, vaginal thrush is caused by an overgrowth of candida, a type of yeast, which is a type of fungus.
The most prevalent microorganisms in a healthy vagina, lactobacilli, create a mildly acidic environment that inhibits the proliferation of pathogens. When the natural balance of bacteria and yeast is disrupted, infections can occur.
Two gynaecologists explain how thrush can develop and how it's treated:
What causes vaginal thrush?
Candida are commonly found in the vaginas of sexually mature women. In fact, 30-60% of all healthy people have them on the mucous membranes of their genitals, mouth and throat, and gastrointestinal tract, according to Dr Werner Mendling, director of the German Centre for Infections in Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Helios University Hospital in Wuppertal, Germany.
The presence of candida isn't due to poor hygiene, he remarks, but says they can be spread from one person to another by kissing someone with oral thrush and by oral sex.
While the overwhelming majority of people colonized by candida show no ill effects, this can change with antibiotic use, for example. Antibiotics not only kill pathogens, but also attack the beneficial lactobacilli in the vagina and can make them unable to maintain its pH around 4 and keep candida under control.
"Someone who's generally ill and has a weakened immune system is also more susceptible to yeast infections," Mendling says, adding that stress, too, can encourage an infection. "Candida that have colonized the vagina or penis asymptomatically can then suddenly cause problems."
Some women are more prone to vaginal thrush than others. It's especially common in women of childbearing age, and genetic predisposition may play a role as well.
What doesn't play a role are tampons, Mendling says: "Tampons have no effect on vaginal flora and can be [safely] used, just as menstrual cups can."
What are the symptoms of vaginal thrush?
"Typical symptoms of infections in the genital area are irritation and pain along with itching and redness," says Dr Cornelia Hösemann, executive committee member of Germany's Professional Association of Gynaecologists (BVF).
In addition, there's often a discharge "unlike your normal vaginal discharge, as its consistency, colour or smell differ," she points out. In the case of vaginal thrush, it's usually cottage cheese-like, and yellowish-whitish or pale. Lower abdominal pain can occur as well.
Itching isn't necessarily an indication of a yeast infection, since it's also a symptom of other illnesses of the genital area. "And sometimes thrush doesn't alter the vaginal discharge and you can't discern anything unusual about it," says Mendling.
As a general rule, women should see a gynaecologist whenever they experience itching, burning, pain, an unpleasant odour or other symptoms in their genital area.
Why is it so important to go to a doctor with your complaints?
Consulting a doctor is important in part because there's a lot of misinformation about vaginal yeast infections in circulation. Mendling advises against simply going to a pharmacy and picking up a medication, because a yeast infection isn't always to blame for itching in your genital area.
"And if you really do have a yeast infection, it's important to determine what type of yeast it is, since the treatment depends on it," Mendling says. Different yeasts have to be treated differently.
So a diagnosis should be verified by a gynaecologist. It's possible that bacteria are causing the symptoms - an infection called bacterial vaginosis - in which case the gynaecologist will prescribe an antibiotic.
While vaginal infections are unpleasant, they're usually comparatively harmless, says Hösemann. In rare cases though, they can signal something serious, such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). For this reason alone, she says you shouldn't practice self-treatment, "especially if the symptoms don't go away or even worsen."
How is vaginal thrush treated?
The doctor will normally prescribe antifungal tablets or suppositories. If the symptoms, such as itching, continue after three days of treatment, you should see your doctor again for further help.
Do tampons soaked in yogurt help by putting beneficial lactobacilli back into the vagina? Hösemann says she can't recommend this home remedy, as the lactobacilli in yogurt differ from those that colonize the vagina and therefore have no impact on vaginal health.
She also discourages home tests for STDs without lab analysis, noting they can be unreliable and provide false results.
Are people who use tampons more likely to get vaginal thrush? Gynaecologists say this isn't true. Zacharie Scheurer/dpa
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Yeast Infection: Signs & Symptoms
A yeast infection can feel like itching or even burning. Or you may have swelling so extreme, it leads to sores. Sexual intercourse may be painful. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, a yeast infection can be uncomfortable.
Yeast infections are caused by a fungus. It generally causes your vagina and vulva (the tissues at the opening of the vagina) or your penis to itch. You may also have a discharge.
Knowing how to spot the symptoms of a yeast infection can help you get the most effective treatment.
A yeast infection is a condition caused by a fungus that can lead to itchiness of your vagina and vulva (the tissues at the opening of the vagina) or penis. It can also cause a discharge. Yeast infections are a common type of vaginitis or vaginal infection. Knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms can help you get the most effective treatment. (Photo credit: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images)
Your vulva and vaginal opening or your penis may look red, swollen, and irritated. There may be a white coating or shiny sores on your vaginal or penile tissue. Your discharge may be different than normal. Your symptoms will vary depending on how severe your infection is.
Yeast infection discharge
It may be watery or thicker and look like cottage cheese. It's usually whitish to yellowish in color. A vaginal yeast infection shouldn't smell different than normal. Symptoms can vary from person to person.
Your symptoms depend on where the infection is and how your body responds. Your symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. Or you may have no noticeable symptoms.
Vaginal yeast infection symptoms
Yeast infections are a common type of vaginitis or vaginal infection. Three of every four women and people with a vagina get one in their lifetime. And many have more than one.
Also known as vaginal candidiasis, if you have a vaginal yeast infection, you'll most likely have extreme itching in and around your vagina; this is the most common symptom. In addition to itching, you might also have:
Penile yeast infection symptoms
A penile yeast infection is also called candida balanitis. This can happen when there's an overgrowth of fungus on the penis or if you have sex with a partner who has a vaginal yeast infection.
About 3%-11% of men and people assigned male at birth will get a yeast infection in their lifetime. It tends to happen on moist, warm, creased areas of skin such as the head of the penis and foreskin.
It's more common if you aren't circumcised and for children under age 4. About 1 in 30 uncircumcised people will develop a yeast infection. It's also more common if you have phimosis, which means the foreskin doesn't easily pull back over the penis.
The symptoms include:
Sometimes the symptoms of a yeast infection can be more serious and require extra care. Or you may get repeated infections. You might need a longer course of treatment or a prevention plan with your doctor to keep the infection from coming back. Severe yeast infections are also called complicated yeast infections.
You can get a more complicated infection if:
Your infection might also be more complicated if it's caused by a different type of fungus than what commonly causes yeast infections. This can mean the usual over-the-counter treatments are not as effective.
Signs of a complicated infection include:
Vaginal yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are different types of vaginitis. BV is caused by bacteria rather than a fungus. Both infections can cause itching and a burning feeling when you pee. However, other symptoms are not the same.
You may have BV rather than a yeast infection if your vagina has a bad smell or if you have a thin, white, green, or gray discharge.
See your doctor if you think you may have BV or if you're not sure what infection you have.
Both infections may cause discomfort and a burning sensation when you pee. But while a yeast infection causes symptoms like vaginal itching and a thick or watery odorless discharge, a urinary tract infection (UTI) does not. If you have a UTI, you may have these symptoms instead:
Call your doctor if your symptoms don't improve within 72 hours of starting treatment. Call right away if you have any signs of a complicated infection.
You should also make an appointment with your doctor if:
If you think you have a yeast infection but aren't sure, it's important to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor can also let you know if something else may be causing your problems.
Treatment can help relieve your symptoms, keep an infection from becoming severe, and prevent you from spreading any potential infections during sex.
If you have itching around your vagina or penis and a thick, white, chunky, or watery discharge, there's a chance you have a yeast infection. Call your doctor if you're not sure. Over-the-counter treatments often provide relief in a few days.
Yeast Infection, UTI And Jock Itch: Common Infections Of Intimate Areas And Prevention Tips
Soaring temperatures cause excessive sweating that gives rise to various infections of the intimate areas. To keep these summer-related infections at bay, we spoke to experts who share essential tips for optimal intimate hygiene
Image for representational purposes only. Photo Courtesy: iStock
A prickly itch in your naughty bits, especially in public places, makes for an extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing situation. The constant urge to scratch your private parts is an indication of you not taking your intimate hygiene seriously and that you might just be suffering from skin infections in your private areas. Such infections in intimate areas are exacerbated during hot and humid summers. With the mercury hitting 40 degrees Celcius, ensuring optimal intimate hygiene is paramount. Although regular baths and the use of talcum powders might be a summer routine for most of us to keep infections at bay, taking care of private parts requires much more than just that.
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