Vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection of the vagina. Candidiasis refers to the growth of fungus known as Candida albicans. Under normal circumstances, the vagina contains a certain amount of bacteria and viruses. But any alteration in their balance may result in an infection. Vaginal candidiasis may take some days up to some weeks to recover completely. It is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI). Therefore sexually inactive women can also get it.
Itching in the vagina is the most common symptom of vaginal candidiasis. If you are suffering from it, visit a gynaecologist in Islamabad. In this article, we are going to discuss symptoms, causes, diagnosis and prevention of vaginal candidiasis.
What are the signs and symptoms of vaginal candidiasis?
The signs and symptoms of vaginal candidiasis are:
Vaginal pain
Vaginal soreness
Pain during sex
Pain during urination
Redness and itching of the vagina
Whitish discharge that may look like cottage cheese
The severity of signs and symptoms vary according to the length of infection.
What are the Causes of Vaginal Candidiasis?
Since vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection, it can occur due to many reasons. Generally, Candida fungus is present in your vagina along with the Lactobacillus bacteria, that keeps in check the growth of Candida. If due to some circumstances, any alteration occurs in the bacterial growth in the vagina, it can lead to fungal infections as well. A factor that can alter the bacterial growth and, may cause vaginal candidiasis can be antibiotics, that kill the good bacteria of your body as well as with the bad ones. Other causes of vaginal candidiasis may be as follows:
Uncontrolled diabetes
Pregnancy
Lack of sleep
Stress
Sugar rich diet
A weak immune system
How is Vaginal Candidiasis diagnosed?
For making a diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis, the healthcare providers will ask about your history. They may ask you about your previous history of yeast infections and sexually transmitted infection(STI). Moreover, they may perform your pelvic exam in which they will check the vaginal wall and cervix. In this exam, they will also check your external area to evaluate any signs of infection there.
Then the final step to the diagnosis is taking the cells. Your doctor may take a sample of the cells from your vagina and send them to the laboratory for evaluation. The procedure of diagnosis may differ according to the history of the case. Cells extraction and lab evaluation are often done in women who get repeated vaginal candidiasis infection.
How Can You Prevent Vaginal Candidiasis?
It is easier to prevent vaginal fungal infection if you know the exact cause. Like some women may get it after taking antibiotics. Therefore it will be helpful if you practice some tips before getting an infection like:
Wash your underwear in a warm water
Eat a healthy diet with a low sugar content
Replace sanitary pads frequently
Eat yoghurt with Lactobacillus
Wear underwears and pants of natural fibre like cotton and silk
Moreover, avoiding some things may also help in the prevention of infection, like:
Douching
Sitting for a long time in a warm bath
Using feminine products and deodorants
Using scented pads or tampons
Conclusion
Vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection that can occur due to several factors. However, it is easy to treat this infection. Sometimes a topical cream or ointment may be enough to get rid of the infection. While sometimes the patient may need to take oral antifungal capsules. If you are suffering from vaginal itching or discharge, visit a gynaecologist in Lahore. Do not delay the visit to a healthcare provider, as early detection of the condition may make it easier to treat.