Yeast is a fungus that usually thrives in the vagina in small quantity. A vaginal yeast infection is a result of too much yeast overgrowth in the vagina. This type of infection is very common. The infection can cause inconvenience but not that serious.
What causes a vaginal yeast infection?
Majority of yeast infections are triggered by a kind of yeast known as Candida albicans. A healthy vagina is another ecosystem of bacteria and a small quantity of yeast cells. The most usual bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus which helps our body maintain other yeast like organisms under control.
When there’s imbalance of these organisms, yeast starts growing out of control causing symptoms. Antibiotics are known to cause such imbalance including the high estrogen levels as a result of hormone replacement therapy or pregnancy. There are also factors such as specific health problems, like HIV infection or diabetes that can cause yeast imbalance.
What are the symptoms?
A yeast infection produces soreness in the vagina or itching and sometimes can cause pain or burning sensation when you try urinating or having intercourse. Women will have a thick, cottage cheese like white discharge that has no odor. These signs may show up during the week before menstrual time begins.