Mostly people think that yeast infections only affect women but that’s not it. Anyone can get them men, children, the elderly and even babies can be affected too. During the time when my daughter was breast feeding I used to think that the white stuff in her mouth was cuddled milk. Only when we went for her check up one day did the doctor tell us that it was a yeast infection common in children called thrush. A yeast infection ( thrush or Candida) can be quite chronic and hidden one would sometimes not know they have it unless they are able to pick up some of the usual symptoms that can occur from time to time. Sometimes a yeast infection just clears without you even realizing you have had an infection which you may have transferred to another unknowingly. It is important to recognize some of the symptoms so that you always stay alert and ensure you are free from these infections.
I will discuss some of the symptoms of yeast infection from my own experiences. When I first got married I got furious with my husband thinking that he had given me a sexually transmitted disease, I had this burning, itchiness and vaginal discharge which did not clear even after I had taken some antibiotics instead it got worse. It was only on the second round to the doctor that he realized it was a yeast infection. Sometimes one just feels tired not because there is not enough fiber in your diet but yeast infection affect your joints you end up with low energy, lazy to even bath yourself. Some people get rashes that a mildly itchy on their hands, on the face, on the penis or any part of the body due to thrash, yeast infection or Candida. Worse still for a couple the woman experiences pain during sex, has a vaginal odor and white milky discharge, the couple will not experience sexual pleasure. The infection will be spread from one partner to the other and back again without the two of them being aware of what will be happening. Food allergies may also set in, digestive pain and frequent headaches may result due to yeast infection. Symptoms will differ from one individual to the next depending on the individual’s general health or even genetic make-up.
The causes of yeast infection are vast and varied and will differ from person to person. One of the common causes these days is a compromised immune system. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the bacteria Candida albicans which is present in the woman’s crotch which rapidly multiplies to unacceptable numbers. You mostly see women who have a weak immune system due to HIV having vaginal yeast infection, mouth thrush or throat yeast infection. It is will be advisable to take immune boosters to strengthen the immune system. Our bodies nowdays cannot fight some diseases such that we normally rush for antibiotics to solve the problem but unknowingly creating more problems. The antibiotic can cure one infection but can also kill the good bacteria in us thus upset the balance in the vaginal environment and cause the yeast to multiply. For some women it is unavoidable because each time they get an antibiotic then an infection also comes so it would be better to also get an antifungal at the same time.
Women are also very susceptible to vaginal infections because of the type of clothes we wear. Yeast flourishes in tight, non-cotton panties and dirty underwear that trap heat and moisture. For a woman changing panties everyday is like second nature but that may not be so for every woman, it would be advisable to change underwear on a daily basis to ensure yeast has no correct environment to breed. It will also be good to wear underwear that is not bleached or dyed because certain chemicals might be harmful to us and be good ground for yeast multiplication. Most important is to wash and iron underwear well and pack with clean stuff not some other dirty laundry. If possible at night sleep without any underwear for free circulation of air. Some women are in the habit of douching which disturbs the vaginal environment because the chemicals or soaps used kill the good bacteria or trigger candida albicans to multiply to undesirable quantities. I would advise to stop douching because there are not benefits in doing that, present your vagina in its natural way. Yeast infections are also common in pregnant women due to hormonal changes which can treated. Hormonal changes in women may also result from taking contraceptive pills and it is important to recognize which would not raise your yeast levels.
The important thing in yeast infections is to identify the root cause and then ensure you eliminate the cause otherwise the infection will keep recurring which is quite frustrating. One would also want to get rid of infections the natural way without using drugs because you don’t know which one may be harmful. I have heard that you can use boric acid as a cure but the substance itself is toxic so keep away from it. Another ‘cure’ is olive leaf extract which many also believe to cure yeast infections but it’s toxic the liver. It is always advisable to look for safe and effective ways to cure yeast infections. I have heard there is the Natural Cure for Yeast infections which is a better method than drugs. I am sure we all want to be free of yeast infections one method will work for you, you only need to find out which one rather than think that the symptoms are ‘natural’ and part of your growing up or aging.