Yeast in the vagina

introduction

In most cases, yeasts in the vagina are part of the natural colonization of the vagina and primarily do not pose a health risk. However, if the balance of the vaginal microorganisms is out of control, the genital area can be infected by the yeast. In this case, vaginal thrush is often used in general terms.

Yeast fungi, in most cases of the Candida albicans variety, lead to symptoms such as reddened genital area, burning, itching and in some cases discharge from the vagina. Since the infection by yeast affects the external sexual organ, i.e. the vulva and the vagina equally, it is referred to medically as vulvovaginal mycosis.

general information

A yeast infection is also known as Candida Albicans. The yeast fungus is one of the most common infectious diseases and mostly occurs in the area of ​​the mucous membranes, as the moist and warm environment there is an ideal breeding ground for the yeast fungus.

In 85% of the cases the infection is caused by the yeast Candida albicans. If a yeast occurs in the vagina, it may also be referred to as vaginal mycosis. Due to the warm, moist conditions of the vagina, the vagina offers good living conditions for the yeast, especially in childbearing age. Yeast is an infection that many women experience at one point in their life. About every fifth woman after puberty is infected with yeast in her genital area. Typical symptoms of a yeast infestation are itching, burning, redness or even crumbly discharge in the intimate area of ​​the woman.

A yeast infestation can be caused by disorders of the immune system, caused by stress or other underlying diseases. Another cause is a non-intact vaginal environment. In the event of disturbances, for example due to hormonal changes, diet, hygiene or medication, there is also an increased probability of a yeast infection.

If you suspect a yeast infection is present, you should usually see a gynecologist. Common yeast infections can be treated with anti-fungal agents in the form of suppositories or creams. However, the symptoms can be the result of other bacterial infections, so treatment should only be started after the actual cause has been diagnosed.

The reasons

All external or internal influences that intervene in and change the vaginal flora can be causes or risk factors for vaginal fungal infections. These include hormone changes with an increased level of estrogen, such as during pregnancy or through taking birth control pills. Certain drugs that reduce the body's immune response also encourage excess yeast growth. If the immune system itself is weakened by diseases, such as AIDS or diabetes, the proliferation of the yeasts is also easier.

Another possible cause is unprotected sexual intercourse, which can lead to micro-injuries through friction if the intimate mucous membrane is damaged. This allows yeasts to multiply more easily and lead to infection. A transfer from the male to the female and vice versa is possible here.
In addition, excessive intimate hygiene can wash out the lactic acid bacteria that are important for the vaginal flora and thus simplify the yeast colonization. Synthetic, air-impermeable clothing or wearing damp bandages or underwear for too long can also optimize the conditions for yeast to reproduce.

Antibiotics as the cause?

A common cause of yeast infection is an imbalance in the vaginal flora. This means that the natural colonization of the vagina by microorganisms has changed and yeasts, for example, are gaining the upper hand. This is often the case after antibiotic treatment, when the lactic acid bacteria in the vagina are killed in addition to the pathogen that is actually responsible for the antibiotic treatment.

Lactic acid bacteria represent an important protective mechanism of the vagina, as they keep the pH value of the vagina in an acidic environment. This means that certain pathogens, including yeasts, can multiply more poorly. If these important bacteria are killed by taking antibiotics, vaginal thrush can more easily develop.

This article might also interest you: Side effects of antibiotics.

Other diseases as the cause?

The immune defense is the greatest antagonist for yeast, because it prevents the yeast from spreading excessively and thus a possible risk of infection for other people. The immune system does not normally have any problems preventing the fungi from spreading. If, on the other hand, the immune system is weakened, this can pose a danger and possibly lead to a more serious illness. People who have undergone surgery or chemotherapy are particularly at risk. However, regular medication (e.g. antibiotics, antidepressants) can also lead to a strong weakening of the immune system. A generally unhealthy lifestyle (obesity, unhealthy diet, etc.) can also be seen as a risk factor for a yeast infection.

In rare cases a serious illness can be triggered by the immune efficiency. This allows the fungus to colonize internal organs and spread quickly. Usually the esophagus is affected (thrush esophagitis). In more rare cases, the lungs, liver or heart can also be affected. A yeast disease of the brain can also occur. One dreaded complication is candida sepsis, blood poisoning caused by yeast, which is usually associated with a poor prognosis and can be fatal.

Regardless of the immune system, there are other risk factors that can consequently trigger a yeast infection. This includes a moist and acidic skin climate, as this represents ideal conditions for the formation of yeast fungi.This milieu can be created through sweating, especially in body folds and the armpits. In addition to the skin environment, damage to the skin can also make it easier for fungi to overcome the skin barrier. But genetic predisposition also causes increased yeast infections.

Read more on the topic: Yeast infection.

The symptoms

A yeast infection of the vagina can have several symptoms, but not all of them occur in a patient. In addition, a renewed yeast infection can cause different symptoms than with the initial infection. Fungal infections that are completely symptom-free can also occur, which are usually discovered as part of a routine smear.

Common complaints include burning and itching in the genital area. In particular, the burning sensation can be made worse when urinating. In addition, the mucous membrane of the vagina is reddened and damaged, which causes pain. These symptoms can be aggravated by scratching the genital area if the itching relieves, as this causes small injuries to the vaginal mucosa.

In addition, small blisters and pustules on the labia and the vaginal opening are other possible symptoms. In the case of a yeast infection, sexual intercourse can also lead to pain and worsen existing symptoms. The labia may also be swollen and covered with a white coating. Another common symptom is a whitish, thick to crumbly discharge. In addition, there may be an unpleasant smell from the vagina.

You can find more information on this topic in the article: Symptoms of vaginal thrush

The unpleasant smell

While a healthy vagina usually exudes a subtle and slightly sour smell, the vaginal odor can change due to an imbalance in the vaginal flora and a yeast infection. The vagina can smell bad. The normally odorless discharge, which occasionally occurs in every woman and fulfills a cleaning function, can also be changed in its consistency, color and smell by a yeast function.

If the vaginal odor is very intense and unpleasant and is perceived as fish-like, a bacterial infection of the vagina is more likely than a fungal disease. A yeast infection cannot be completely ruled out only through the smell.

For more information read: Vaginal infection

The diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually easy to determine based on a detailed medical history of the symptoms, sexual behavior and medication intake and the characteristic changes in the genital area. In order to distinguish the symptoms from bacterial diseases of the vagina, the gynecologist usually takes a swab from the vagina with the help of a cotton swab and then examines the sample under a microscope.

The suspicion of a yeast infection is confirmed when thread-like structures can be seen through the microscope. In addition, although not always necessary, the sample taken can also be sent to a laboratory. There, the exact sub-form of the fungus can be determined and any resistance to drugs determined. This more detailed examination of the type of fungus is particularly necessary if the symptoms are recurring or persistent during therapy. In addition, frequent fungal infections in the vaginal area can make blood sugar diagnostics necessary, as more frequent fungal infections can be typical in diabetes.

The therapy

Treatment of a vaginal infection by yeast is usually done with antifungal or growth-inhibiting drugs. The active ingredients that are frequently used include nystatin, clotrimazole and ciclopirox. Since vaginal thrush is a localized infection, locally attacking preparations in the form of creams or vaginal suppositories are usually sufficient and oral medication is only necessary if the symptoms persist.

Read the article on this: Medicines for vaginal thrush

The vaginal suppositories are often inserted deep into the vagina with the help of a special applicator. Depending on the preparation, it is advisable to let the suppository work overnight to prevent leakage. Creams are often used in addition to suppositories to treat the external genitalia, the vulva. The duration of the therapy depends on the preparation used. It is therefore advisable to read the package insert or to consult your doctor or pharmacist. It is important to use the medication regularly and for long enough, as stopping treatment prematurely can lead to a recurrence of the yeast disease.

Treatment of the sexual partner is recommended when treating vaginal thrush. The partner can suffer from a fungal infection even without symptoms, only that the symptoms appear with a delay or not at all. Therefore, both partners should undergo treatment to prevent a ping-pong effect.

The creams

Creams or ointments are often used in the treatment of vaginal yeast infections. These contain fungicidal agents, whereby ingredients can also be used that stop the growth of the yeast fungi. Most of the ointments or creams used contain clotrimazole or nystatin, which have been shown to treat vaginal yeast infections in an effective and mostly tolerable manner.

Since ointments or creams only reach the outer part of the genital organs, they are mostly used in conjunction with vaginal tablets or suppositories. With the help of an application aid, these can also reach the rear, deep sections of the vagina and can thus also treat the inner part of the genital organs.

For more information, read on: Nystatin.

The home remedies

In the search for alternative healing methods for vaginal yeast infections, one encounters numerous hints and advice from the Internet or from friends who advertise the possibility of treating the fungus without medication. However, these are neither scientifically proven nor effective. In fact, many of the suggestions are actually harmful to health. For example, the trend to try hip baths or vaginal douching with tea tree oil or vinegar. However, both are far too aggressive and the vaginal mucous membrane, which is already stressed, is additionally irritated.

Yogurt is also said to help because of the lactic acid bacteria it contains. The fact is that vaginal lactic acid bacteria are reduced in vaginal yeast infections and increasing their number can promote the healing process. However, the number of lactic acid bacteria in yogurt is far too low, and there are also other ingredients that bring the already disturbed vaginal flora out of balance.

It is therefore advisable to use special lactic acid cures from the pharmacy if necessary. There is also no medical evidence of effectiveness for other home remedies not mentioned. In the case of a vaginal yeast infection, targeted therapy should always be carried out under medical guidance. It is also advisable to start treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent the symptoms from worsening and the risk of the fungal disease becoming chronic.

The duration

A vaginal yeast infection lasts only a few days if treated appropriately and promptly. Even if some preparations are to be used for up to a week according to the package insert, the symptoms are already significantly reduced or disappear completely. However, this should not lead to shortening the duration of therapy at your own discretion. The regular and sufficiently long duration of treatment is essential in order to prevent the symptoms from breaking out again and to treat the infection completely.

On the other hand, if a vaginal yeast infection is misdiagnosed or not treated at all, the symptoms can last much longer. In the worst case, this can even lead to chronification, i.e. to a persistent, far more difficult to treat vaginal yeast infection.

How contagious is a yeast infection?

Since yeasts are part of the natural colonization of all humans with microorganisms, an excessive fear of infection is unfounded. Rather, the word contagion is misleading in this context, as the actual meaning of the word does not apply. After all, every person is naturally colonized by the fungus species and, accordingly, cannot be infected by another person or object.

Frequently expressed fears of getting infected with vaginal thrush in public toilets or swimming pools are unfounded. In order for the disease to occur, an imbalance in the vaginal flora or other circumstances that favor an excessive proliferation of the yeasts are required. These include vaginal dryness or excessive hygiene, which make the vaginal lining more chapped and more prone to infection.

That a yeast infection can be transmitted through sexual intercourse also requires an already susceptible mucous membrane. The rubbing movements, as occurs during sex, can additionally irritate and injure the mucous membrane, which encourages the yeast to multiply. Using condoms can prevent fungal infections. Furthermore, the transmission can also take place via contaminated objects. Contaminated objects can be bath mats, shower floors or clothing, for example. If an infection has occurred, medication in the form of pills or creams can be used.

Read more about this at: How contagious are yeasts?