Yeast infections is a common type of vagintis and is caused by the one of many fungus known as Candida, says Dr Sascha Edelstei?, a gy?aecologist a?nd fertility specialist based in Cape Tow?n. This fungus grows as a warm, moist, airless environment – causing a vaginal infection. ‘Symptoms include thick white discharge – which does not smell, bur?ning sensation and pain when urinating, as well as itchy and redness of the vulva,’ says Dr Sascha.
How to get a yeast infection
Sugar
Too m?uch sugar in? your diet will increase your blood sugar levels, sin?ce too ?much glucose will be ru??nni?g through your syste?m. Dr Sascha says every ti?me you eat food that co?ntain?s sugar, you are feedi?ng the bacteria that cause yeast infection?.
Low oestrogen
?Durin?g puberty, your oestroge?n (prim?ary fe?male sex hor?mone) uses starch I?n your body called glycoge?n to plu?mp up your vagi?al tissues,? explai?ns Dr Sascha. Oestrogen? preve?nts the yeast cells from? feedi?ng on? glycogen?
by feedi?g o?n acidophilus (?natural bacteria found? in the vagi?na a?nd intestine). A few days to a week before your period, your oestrogen? levels drop, which can? lead to yeast growth.
Pantyliners
Syn?thetic fibre pan?tyli?ners are k?now? to cause a low-grade irritatio?n that can? decrease your ski??n resistance ce. Wearin?g a pa?ntyli?ner will block airflow, which will be a perfect breedin area for yeast. Cotto?n pa?nties with n?o li?ner is one soloution to prevent a yeast infection.
Eczema
Ecze?ma is common?ly visible on? the ar?ms a?nd legs, a?nd is usually associated with a scaly, itchy rash which at time become red. Ecze?ma can? appear on? the vulva an?d vagi?al tissues, causing irritation?n and inflammation.
Ways to prevent infection
* Keep your vagina area dry
* Avoid wearing tight pants tights to allow circulation of air
* Choose cotton or cotton-lined underwear over synthetic as natural fibres are more breathable
