Yeast infection is so common that 3/4 women will have it in their life time.

Kesha Baldwin, glanced around the familiar doctor's office of Dr. Mona Atkins. Dr. Atkins has been the family doctor since Kesha was ten-years-old. Of course those past visits consisted of tonsillitis, chicken pox, pimples, and other medical problems related to a growing teenager. This was a different visit, this visit was more personal-more intimate. Even though she thought the world of Dr. Atkins, she was still a little uncomfortable about the visit.

When Kesha began experiencing itching and burning in her vagina area, she had an idea of what was going on with her body, but she wanted confirmation from a doctor. A freshman in college, she was still a virgin, and knew it wasn't sexual related. Her mother was always very honest with her about sex and sexual transmitted diseases. She concluded it may be related to the new perfume bottle of bubble bath that she received on her 18th birthday.

A few minutes later, Dr. Atkins appeared and flashed her a warm smile. She followed with a tight hug; like she always did whenever Kesha came to see her.

Once in the office, Kesha took a deep breath and begin to fill Dr. Atkins in on the symptoms she was having. She explained that she wasn't sexually active and believed she may have a yeast infection.

Dr. Atkins listened carefully then instructed the nurse to prepare the room for a vaginal examination to confirm or deny Kesha's suspicion.

While Kesha waited for the nurse to prepare the room, Dr. Atkins took the opportunity to explain more about yeast infection. She stated that yeast infection is so common that 3/4 women will have it in their life time. Half of those women will have more than one infection. She went on to say that it was a condition that gives women FITS! and explained to Kesha, what a yeast infection was, ways to prevent, and treat it.

WHAT IS A YEAST INFECTION?

Dr. Atkins said that yeast is a tiny organism that normally lives in small numbers inside the vagina area. A yeast infection occurs when the condition inside the vaginal area changes, causing an over growth of yeast called Canida Albicans. The cahanges can be due to: menustration period, diet, birth control pills, and condoms (used with spermicidal lubricant)

SYMPTOMS OF A YEAST INFECTION

Dr. Atkins stated the symptoms to watch out for are:

*An intense itching and burning in the vagina and vulva area(the skin around the vagina area)

*A white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese

*An odor that smells like yeast

* Pain during sexual intercourse

*Swelling (redness) of the vulva

*Burning during urination

TREATMENT FOR YEAST INFECTION

After Dr. Atkins explained the symptoms, she explained more about the procedure she was going to perform during the vaginal examination. The nurse had Kesha undress and Dr. Atkins took a sample of secretion from Kesha's vaginal area, placed it on a slide, and sent it to the lab to determine if Kesha had a vaginal infection. Symptoms of yeast infection can be similiar to other types of vaginal Trichomonas or STD's.

Later that day, Dr. Atkins confirmed that Kesha had a yeast infection and that she was writing a prescription. She explained that yeast infections are normally treated with antifungal drugs, such as clotrimazole or miconazole. The medicine is normally a cream inserted into the vagina with an applicator, or a suppositiry that is placed inside the vaginal and dissolves on it own.

There is also medicine in a cream form that can be placed on the vulva to relieve itching. The medication can also be taken in a pill form by mouth.

After hearing the options, Kesha decided upon the vaginal cream. Dr. Atkins wrote Kesha a prescription for Diflucan, then reminded her of ways to prevent a yeast infection.

PREVENTION OF YEAST INFECTION

Dr. Atkins explained that there are many things a woman can do to prevent a yeast infection:

*Don't wear tight-fitting pants

*Wear cotton, loose underwear

* Don't wear panty hose and leotards every day. When panty hose are worn, make sure the panty hose  have a cotton crouch to help keep the genital area ventilated

*Wipe the vaginal area from front to back___this prevents bacteria from the rectum reaching the vagina

*Change out of your wet swimsuit or toher damp clothing as soon as possible. Moisture of the vagina area may cause yeast to grow. A blow dryer set on a low setting can be used to prevent a yeast infection

*No matter what the old wives tales say, douching can result in a yeast infection. By douching you can actually kill off the organism that suppresses the growth of yeast. Never douche unless instructed by your doctor

* Don't use feminine sprays, deodorant sanitary pads or tampons, or bubble bath.

*Avoid using colored or perfumed toilet paper

*Antibiotics is probably one of the leading causes of yeast infections in women. It kills bacteria in the vaginal, causing yeast to spread and cause an infection

* Use of steroid drugs

*A weakened immune system, women that are HIV positive are more at risk, mainly because white blood cells that fight off infection is suppressed, making them a great risk for infections, including yeast infection.

*Diabetes that isn't well maintained. High blood sugar causes yeast to multiply.

For more information on yeast infection call the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 800-994-Woman or American College of Obstetricans and Gynecologist: (202) 863-2518 or (800) 762-2264 ext 192 or visit the website at: www.acog.org.
 

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