Other terms for a vaginal yeast infection are vaginal candidiasis, genital candidiasis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). A yeast infection is an infection that involves a type of fungus or yeast called Candida Albicans. Candida can be found all over the body and is normally found in parts of the body that are warm and moist. Yeast is also carried in the vagina on twenty percent of women. When the yeast in the vagina multiplies to an infection it causes vaginal inflammation, irritation, odor, discharge and itching.

What is a yeast infection depends on the bacteria that live naturally in the vagina and usually keep Candida from growing out of control. However, when this balance of microorganisms is upset then the symptoms of what is a yeast infection occur and Candida grows uncontrollably. What is a yeast infection can be affected by certain medications, changes in hormone levels or certain diseases.

After you know what is a yeast infection it is also important to discuss what it isn’t. A vaginal yeast infection isn’t a sexually transmitted disease but after sexual contact with an infected partner about twelve to fifteen percent of men may develop symptoms such as itching and penile rash. Vaginal yeast infection are typically found in women and especially those after menopause. About seventy-five percent of women will experience a yeast infection at least once in their lives.

What It Isn’t

After you know what is a yeast infection you should also become aware of other conditions that can have similar symptoms to a yeast infection. There are other types of vaginal infections that have similar symptoms to a yeast infection. These women often attempt to use over the counter medications to treat a yeast infection but find that their symptoms are not improving. As a result the infection may worsen.

Many women will use over the counter medications in an attempt to self treat a vaginal yeast infection without seeing a doctor first and in most cases this the symptoms may be related to other conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, which is a bacterial infection and not a yeast infection.

Location irritation from intercourse or tampons, allergic reactions or chemical irritation from soap, perfumes, deodorants or powders can also cause symptoms similar to a vaginal yeast infection.

What To Look Out For

If you have recurrent yeast infections then you should be checked out by a doctor, since this can be a sign of a serious disease such as diabetes, leukemia or AIDS. In very rare cases a vaginal yeast infection can lead to a systemic candidal disease which is fatal for seventy-five percent of people who have this major complication. This only happens when the infection spreads to the bloodstream. This type of complication is most likely to occur in women who have a weakened immune system. That is why it is important to know what is a yeast infection.

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