Vaginal Infection

A vaginal yeast infection is a condition characterized by burning, itching, redness, and a white discharge from the vagina and vulva. These infections are caused by something that’s already in your body a fungal body (yeast) called candida. Yeast is a type of fungus and candida is a specific type of yeast. When this yeast is balanced with the ecosystem of your body, there are no problems. But when that balance is disrupted, the yeast rapidly grows and you can get a yeast infection.

There are several tell-tale signs of a vaginal yeast infection. These symptoms can include:

• An itchy sensation in the vagina and vulva.
• A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese.
• Redness and swelling of the vagina and vulva.
• Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of the vulva because of friable skin in the area.
• A burning feeling when you urinate.

Your healthcare provider may need to take a sample of discharge from your vagina to confirm the yeast infection. The combination of your symptoms and the sample of the discharge will tell your healthcare provider what type of yeast infection you have and help determine the best way to treat the infection.

There are two forms of medication: oral or topical. Oral medications are taken by the mouth, while topical medications are applied to the affected area. Topical medications may include boric acid, nystatin, miconazole, or clotrimazole. Your healthcare provider will give you information about each form of medication and directions on how to properly use each one. It is important to always follow your provider’s instructions when using these medications to make sure that the infection is fully resolved and doesn’t return.