Yeast infections are very common among women. It is estimated that about 75% of all women suffer from a yeast infection at some point in their lives. Among the various kinds of yeast infections, the vaginal yeast infection is the most common and causes a lot of pain and suffering. The most common among all vaginal yeast infections is Candida albicans, a specific kind of yeast that can be found on the skin of healthy humans too.
Candida thrives in warm, moist atmosphere and therefore, a preponderance of yeast can be found in the vaginal area that is generally warm and moist. In most cases, the number of yeast or Candida on the skin or the vagina is controlled by good bacteria that do not allow the yeast to increase in number beyond a certain limit.
However, when the bacteria themselves are compromised due to excessive intake of antibiotics or a weak immune system, the yeast find it easy to multiply and grow in numbers. High levels of sugar in the blood for prolonged periods, pregnancy, oral contraceptives and high levels of estrogen also increase the possibility of a vaginal yeast infection.
Some of the common symptoms that manifest themselves when the vaginal yeast becomes uncontrollable are:
- Vaginal irritation
- Vaginal burning
- Vaginal itching
- Soreness
- Redness in the vaginal exterior areas like the clitoris and the vulva
- Inflammation in the vagina
- Difficulty in urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Vaginal discharge that is sometimes thick and creamy and watery at other times. This discharge is generally odorless and may or may not be present in some cases too.
These are the initial symptoms of vaginal yeast infections that can be noticed almost immediately. However, it can be seen that the symptoms mentioned above are not specific in nature and therefore, it means that these are not adequate to confirm the presence of vaginal yeast. Such symptoms can be caused by other sexually transmitted diseases. It is therefore necessary to see a doctor and remove any doubts about other infections that may be causing the symptoms.
Once you are sure that the symptoms that you are seeing are those of vaginal yeast infections, you should ensure that you do something about the problem to get respite from the symptoms. In addition to this, you should know that holistic and compete cure is only possible by adopting a holistic approach to the problem so that the vaginal yeast infection does not happen again. Untreated vaginal yeast infection can lead to further complications that include:
- Headaches
- Chronic fatigue and listlessness
- Joint pains, knee pains, swollen joints and hip pains
- Digestive tract issues like constipation, diarrhea, bloating and flatulence
- Urinary tract infections
- Depression, mood swings, irritability and frustration
- Short attention span and lack of focus
- Memory issues
Explore the various natural options that are available for complete and comprehensive treatment of vaginal yeast infection. These will include diet modifications, herbal concoctions, natural treatment options, breathing techniques and other exercises that can help in ensuring that the internal balance of flora is maintained.