Signs and Symptoms of a Yeast Infection

It's common for women to develop yeast infections, in fact, around 75% of women have reported having at least one yeast infection in their lives. There are both localized and systemic signs and symptoms of a yeast infection to look for. Your main goal is treating the yeast infection before it grows out of control.

To do that, you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection so that you can treat it quickly and effectively. For women, an infection is typically found in the vaginal area in addition to the mouth. When the infection is located in the mouth, it is commonly called a thrush infection.

It's important to recognize the symptoms of a yeast infection so that you can start treatment immediately. It's also very important to know what is causing Candida symptoms of an infection so that you can avoid reinfecting yourself. The main causes include a poor diet but other factors can include an imbalanced digestive system, a weakened immunity system, toxins that have built up inside of the digestive tract, as well as a low probiotic bacteria count in your digestive tract. Make sure that you include more fresh vegetables in your diet and avoid refined carbohydrates and processed foods. Yeast thrive on the sugar that we consume, by starving the yeast of their food source, you can effectively control the yeast overgrowth causing the yeast infections.

Stress can affect your life in so many ways but did you know that it can cause a Candida infection too? A yeast infection develops when the levels in the blood sugar begin to increase in the body and if you already have a yeast infection developing the yeast will feed off of the sugars which can cause an infection to grow. If you have suffered from a hormonal imbalance, this too can cause several symptoms of yeast infection.

If you are taking certain antibiotics, they may be playing a role in the development of a mild to moderate infection. Medicines that include steroids, antibiotics, and other prescription medications may be helpful for other conditions, but they can rob your body of the friendly bacteria that keeps the yeast in check leaving your body more susceptible to yeast infections.

Other factors like wearing tight clothing, long periods of excess moisture on the skin, and poor personal hygiene can also increase your chances of developing a yeast infection. When your pH balance is off, then it can allow for yeast to grow and manifest itself into an infection. Wearing a wet bathing suit for extended periods of time can increase your chances of developing an infection. Other factors like sexual activity with a partner who has a yeast infection, can also cause an infection to develop.

Symptoms can be categorized two ways; topical symptoms and systemic symptoms. The topical symptoms are more local symptoms, only involving the genital area and other areas of the skin, while the systemic symptoms are more globalized within the body.

Localized symptoms of an infection may include itching, burning, irritation, a white discharge, pain during sexual intercourse, redness, inflammation, irritation with the pubic hair follicles, lower pelvic area.

Systemic symptoms include gas and bloating. headaches, diarrhea or constipation, achy joints, fatigue, insomnia, mood swings and depression/foggy-headedness.

Occasional vaginal discharge is normal but if you begin to notice a change in the discharge, like white cottage cheese looking patches with a sweet or bread-like odor, then it's a sign of a possible yeast infection. Another common symptom is if the vulva or vagina is irritated and bright red that is painful to the touch.

Although it is not very common, men can develop Candida as well. Symptoms may include burning during and after sex, a red rash on the penis or white lesions noticed on the shaft of the penis. This is typically referred to as a Candida penis infection.



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