Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 05:16 am<\/p>
Yeast infection<\/strong> (candida infection) or vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is caused by the organism called candida and affects millions of women worldwide.<\/p>\n There are different types of candida that can cause yeast infection. They are candida albicans<\/strong>, candida tropicalis<\/strong>, candida glabrata<\/strong> and candida krusei<\/strong>. The commonest specie that cause yeast infection is candida albicans. However, the other species can cause severe and recurrent disease.<\/p>\n Candida is a diploid fungi and can infect other parts of the body. The mouth (oral thrush), anal area, the genitals of men an women.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The vagina in women is covered by stratified squamous cells during child bearing age. In young women due to effects of estrogen, the normal pH of the vagina is between 3.5 and 4.5 while the lactobacilli are the most common organism present in the vagina.<\/p>\n During menopause, there is reduction in the level of estrogen making the covering of the vagina to atrophy and become thin. Also, the pH of the vagina at this time is about 7.0 (alkaline) with reduced level of lactobacillus.<\/p>\n The normal color of vagina discharge is white though can be yellow on contact with air.\u00a0In addition, before ovulation vaginal discharge is watery while after ovulation vaginal discharge is thick white.<\/p>\n There is a normal balance between bacteria and fungi in the vagina. Women that use\u00a0broad spectrum antibiotics can kill both good and bad bacteria leading to more fungi (candida). This antibiotics will have no effects on fungi leading to fungal overgrowth and infection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About 40 percent of women will show growth of candida albicans without showing any symptoms of the disease. Women who develop yeast infection will complain of the following symptoms<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The normal pH of the vagina is between 3.5 to 4.5. This low pH is maintained by estrogen and lactobacilli. In yeast infection the vaginal pH is normal. However, there is thick curdy white discharge from the vagina due to fungi overgrowth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The following conditions increase your risk to develop candidiasis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/span>What is the normal vaginal discharge?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>What are the sign and symptoms of candidiasis?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>Is there any change to the vagina due to yeast infection?<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Who are at risk to develop Yeast infection?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>How is yeast infection diagnosed in women?<\/span><\/h2>\n