A vaginal yeast infection is also called candidiasis (vaginal or vulvovaginal) and it’s a very common condition among the women of ages 13 and above affecting 75% of the women at some point in life. There are a number of remedies but people tend to ask if saltwater helps treat yeast infections.

Saltwater helps with yeast infections by controlling the microbes causing it hence reducing vagina itching and other discomforts. Whenever you feel uncomfortable, arrange a salt bath for yourself as a start-up precaution.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

In a normal condition, a healthy vagina has bacteria and yeast cells but when the balance is distorted or changes, the yeast cells multiply more and hence causing intense itching, irritation, and swelling.

It is estimated that 20% to 50% of women have candida present in their Vagina but the infection comes up when the normal balance of yeast and bacteria is disturbed.

The yeast infections in the vagina are in most cases referred to as sexually transmitted disease but that isn’t true because even women who aren’t sexually active can still get the infection.

Yeast infections are caused by a species known as candida Albicans which lead to the growth of candidiasis, Yeast infections are different from plants because they make their own food that enables them to multiply so fast all over your body.

Vaginal yeast infections cause inflammation, irritation, itching, and vaginal discharge and it affects both women and men but vaginal yeast infections that keep surfacing are called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Causes of vaginal yeast infection

There are a number of reasons why you would get a yeast infection and these include :

Hormones.

There are usually changes in the hormones during pregnancy, menopause, breastfeeding, and birth control pills and this causes the imbalances between yeast and bacteria in the vagina causing a vaginal yeast infection.

Antibiotics

A number of antibiotics kill off many of the bacteria’s that live in your vagina leaving yeast alone and hence causing infections

Soaps and vaginal sprays, In most cases, You tend to use some douches and vaginal sprays which change the imbalance of the yeast and the bacteria in your vagina.

Diabetes

If you have diabetes that is not well treated and controlled, The increase in sugars in the moist linings(mucous membrane) of your vagina creates a favorable environment for yeast to grow.

Sex

Even if the yeast is not treated as an asexually transmitted disease, it, however, can be passed on from person to person through sexual contact.

Weak immune system

If you have an immune disorder, you are at a high risk of getting yeast infections but however, patients will HIV positive also have a high risk of getting vaginal yeast infections due to the weak immune system.

Poor Eating Habits

If you enjoy eating too many sugars and sugary foods, then don’t be surprised if you find your self with infections because you are creating a favorable environment for the growth of Candida albicans.

Other causes that are considered for causing vaginal yeast infections are stress and lack of adequate sleep.

How are vaginal yeast infections diagnosed?

Taking a yeast infection diagnosis is very easy, your doctor will ask you if you have had sexually transmitted diseases before or you have had a yeast infection before.

It’s best you be open and honest about your health issues with the doctor.

The doctor will then take a pelvic exam by examining your vaginal walls and the cervix and he will also look at the surrounding area to see if there are external signs of the infection.

Depending on what your doctor has observed, he will collect some cells from the vagina and he will forward them to the lab examination for testing.

After the tests are out, u will know if you are safe to go or you need treatment for the infection.

symptoms of vaginal yeast infection. 

when yeast overmultiplies in your vagina, there are various symptoms you will have to experience and these include:

• Vaginal itching and discomfort are the major symptoms of vaginal yeast infections

• The skin around the opening of the vagina (vulva and labia) get irritated, redness and swollen.

• Slight bleeding

• You will feel pain when you go to the bathroom or when you go to urinate.

• Sometimes you will get a slight smell that is unusual

• Vaginal pain especially when having sex and during menstruation period.

• Vaginal discharge.

• Burning and pain during urination.

vaginal yeast infection discharge.

When you are having a yeast infection, you are more likely to have a vaginal discharge that will make you uncomfortable

In most cases, it’s white, thick, odorless and clumpy and it’s not pleasant to see and visualize. Some women describe it as ricotta cheese or cottage.

It may also be watery

vaginal yeast infection treatment.

If you have a simple infection, the doctor will prescribe for you 1 to 3 times a day of an ointment, tablets, suppository or an antifungal cream.

The doctor may also prescribe for you a treatment that will be taken from 1 to 7 days or a single dose pill of fluconazole may be given to you but remember it’s not safe for you if you are pregnant.

The medication that is always prescribed for you are

• Clotrimazole
• Butoconazole
• Fluconazole
• Terconazole
• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole

There are also various ways on how you can treat vaginal yeast infections.

Keep your vagina dry and clean.

You should practice good hygiene by cleaning your pants clean and dry and while washing the vagina, clean it from front to the vaginal area.

Clean your vagina very well and dry off the area after showering to prevent fungi from multiplying.

When you go to the bathroom, reduce the risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection by wiping from front to back (from the vagina to the anus)

It is also recommended for you to wash your vagina very well after having sex because it’s also possible to get yeast infections through sexual intercourse. It is also recommended for you to have protected sex using condoms and abstain from sex if your partner is having an active infection.

Boost your immune system if it’s weak.

If you have a weak immune system, then you are at a high risk of getting urinary tract infections and therefore you will need a diet to boost your immune system to increase your white blood cells in your body.

If you are having HIV, diabetes or cancer, you will nee proteins.

You should also consider having probiotic food with high nutrients especially vegetables, healthy fats and food with high-quality with kinds of bacteria like lactobacillus and acidophilus that are very beneficial at fighting infections.

Fermented foods like kefir, kombucha, veggies, and yogurt should be considered because they contain probiotic microflora that will protect your intestines and improve your immune system hence fighting virginal yeast infection.

When it comes to the number of sugars you take, take control because high sugar levels create a moist environment for yeast growth.

Wear clean underwear.

Make sure you dry and clean your underwear so well, you can also iron them to be on a safe side.

It’s also best to choose cotton knickers because they allow air to reach your genitals leaving your vagina safe.

Take note of what products you use down there

Depending on the type of products you use, Anyways lookout for the best items to use down there, for example, some soaps are very dangerous and can kill off all your bacterias causing you an infection so take note of what you use.

Also, do not use one tampon or condom for a long period of time because you will be at a high risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection.

There are a number of things you may be using down there for a number of reasons you know yourself, but take note that chemical products distract the balance of bacteria and yeast in your vagina.

You should also be careful about the products you use that cause vaginal irritation such as fragrances, dyes, and other harsh ingredients.

Fight yeast with supplements.

There are a number of various supplements that can be used to treat virginal yeast infections, for example, Probiotic supplements which are the best natural treatments available for yeast infections, a Boric acid which is the safest alternative for the treatment of yeast infections and antioxidants like vitamin C to boost the immune system.