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Taming the yeast within
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Prompt diagnosis, treatment and prevention help control this irritating vaginal infection
By Sandra Aylward, B.SC. (PHARM.), PH.C.
If you’ve ever experienced the burning, itching and discomfort of a vaginal yeast infection, you’re in the majority. About 75 per cent of women have this problem some time in their lives. The good news is yeast infections can be easily treated and prevented.
What is a yeast infection?
Like many parts of the body, a healthy vagina contains a mixture of bacteria and yeast. When the vagina’s normal acid balance is disturbed, a yeast known as Candida albicans may grow in larger amounts. This causes irritation, itching and a thick, cottage-cheese-like discharge: signs of a yeast infection.
Normal vaginal secretions are clear to slightly white, and may amount to up to one teaspoon per day. With a yeast infection, the discharge is thicker, white, and lumpy and usually odourless. Other symptoms include soreness during intercourse or urination.
What causes the infection?
Anything that changes the vagina’s acidic balance can make an infection more likely. Common causes include antibiotics; hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menstrual cycles, or oral contraceptives; diabetes; and factors that affect the immune system, such as steroid treatment, chemotherapy, illness or stress.
How do I know it’s a yeast infection?
The first time, you won’t know. Only a swab from a doctor can determine if your infection is caused by yeast. See your doctor, especially if you also have a fever, are pregnant, have diabetes, or have problems with your immune system.
What treatments are available?
There are a number of treatments available at your pharmacy—with or without a prescription—in the form of tablets or creams that are inserted into the vagina at bedtime for one to seven days. They generally cost less than $20. Whether you choose a tablet (less messy) or a cream (better if you have vaginal dryness), use a product that also contains cream to use on the outside, where itching and irritation also occur. One-day treatments, although convenient, may irritate some people, so many women choose the three-day treatment. If your yeast infection is linked to an antibiotic course, you should match the duration of the antibiotic therapy.
Some products should not be used by women taking certain other medications such as the blood thinner warfarin. Some people also have allergies to the medication in these products. Talk to your pharmacist, and remember that no matter what you use, it will take about seven days for the infection to be completely gone.
How do I use the treatments?
Insert the tablet or cream as directed. If the product has a single applicator, be sure to wash and dry after each use. Use the full treatment (to prevent the infection from coming back), even though you can expect to see improvements after one to three days. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time to take your next dose, however, do not “double up.” Some of the medication may leak from the vagina, so wear a panty liner. Keep using the treatment even during your period, but use pads instead of tampons, which can absorb the medication. If your doctor has diagnosed a yeast infection before, and you recognize the same symptoms recurring, you can treat the yeast infection safely with a non-prescription item from your pharmacy. But if it’s less than two months since your last infection, see your doctor to rule out other causes.
How can I prevent yeast infections?
Avoid wearing tight clothes, especially tight underwear. Underwear made of cotton or other natural fibres “breathes” better. Choose skirts over pants, and avoid pantyhose when possible. Change quickly out of a wet bathing suit or workout clothes. Avoid long, hot baths and dry the genital area well after washing. Wipe from front to back after bowel movements.
Avoid sanitary products containing deodorants, as well as douching, bubble baths and perfumed soaps. Take antibiotics only when necessary (not for the common cold or flu).
Eating less high-sugar foods helps some women prevent yeast infections. Eating yogurt with “active” bacterial cultures has also been linked to preventing yeast infections.
Treatment tips
SIDE EFFECTS - See your doctor if you develop a skin rash or hives, or symptoms that weren’t there when treatment started. On very rare occasions, women experience headaches or cramps; if these persist or are bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
CONTRACEPTION - Some ingredients in the creams or tablets can interfere with the effectiveness of condoms, diaphragms and spermicides. Avoid vaginal intercourse while treating the infection and for up to three days afterward, since the medication is still present in the vagina.
BREASTFEEDING - There has been no evidence of harm to babies breastfed by mothers using these medications, though researchers don’t know if the medication passes into the milk or not.
Sandra Aylward is the Division Vice-President, Pharmacy Services Lawtons Drug Stores Limited.
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