Yeast infection

Candida (thrush):

There are more than 15 different types of Candida. The most common one is Candida Albicans. As they are funghi, they thrive in dark, damp and airless places, which is why Candida problems often occur in the genital areas, the mouth or where babies nappies are used.

The mass antibiotics usage unfortunately kill indiscriminately also the good bacteria keeping the naturally occuring Candida yeast on a low level. When the counterbalancing bacteria is wiped out, especially during longer antibiotics treatments, there is a risk that the Candida yeast cells in the gut system and elsewhere (vaginal tract, mouth) grow to a level where they become a permanent problem and the thrush symptoms tend to never go away, or come back after every treatment.

Yeast infections are so common that they are likely to affect 75% of all women on at least one occasion in their lifetime.

Symptoms of yeast infection

• Itching, soreness in the vaginal area
• Thick, white, discharge
• Burning pains near the vaginal opening
• Itches, pains, discomforts during sexual intercourse

There are also more diffuse symptoms which are often mis-diagnosed as other problems

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Migrain
• Diarrhoea
• Food allergies
• Irregular menstruation

Preventing thrush (yeast) infections

• Wear loose underwear, cotton rather than synthetic
• Keep your genital area dry and clean
• Avoid perfumed and antibacterial soap
• Avoid high levels of sugar in your diet
• When on antibiotics - do not take them for longer than prescribed

Thrush (Candida) treatment

There is a broad range of antifungal cremes and medicines available for treatment of yeast infection. Some of the trade names are Canesteen, Clotrimaderm, Clotrimazole, Femstat, Monistat, Monazole, Nycostatin, Tioconazole and Terazole.

For vaginal thrush treatment, these are oftean available as creams, suppositories, ointments or cremes. For treatment of the male partner, the normal way is to use a creme and apply twice a day for a week, or until symptoms are gone. It is important to treat both partners in a relationship simultaneously to avoice reinfection of candida (thrush).

If reinfected several times a year, you may need to consult your doctor for more powerful prescription drugs.

If it is your first infection, you should generally see a doctor as it is not obvious that it is a yeast infection (thrush, candida, candidiasis). Many symptoms are similar if you are instead affected by a sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhea or chlamydia.