Candidiasis, also known as a
yeast infection, is a common fungal infection that occurs when there is an overgrowth of the fungus
Candida.
Candida is always present in the body in small amounts. However, when an imbalance occurs, such as when the normal acidity of the vagina changes or when the hormonal balance changes,
Candida can multiply. When that happens, symptoms of candidiasis appear.
Women with Candida infections usually experience genital itching or burning, with or without a "cottage cheese-like" vaginal discharge. Males with genital candidiasis may experience an itchy rash on the penis.
Nearly 75 percent of all adult women have had at least one genital
yeast infection in their lifetime. On rare occasions, men may also experience genital candidiasis.
Candida infections occur more frequently and more severely in people with weakened immune systems.
There are some other conditions that may put a woman at risk for genital candidiasis, including:
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes mellitus
- Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Use of corticosteroid medications.
Most cases of Candida infection are caused by the person's own Candida organisms. Candida yeasts usually live in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina without causing symptoms. Symptoms develop only when Candida becomes overgrown in these sites. Rarely, Candida can be passed from person to person, such as through sexual intercourse.
The symptoms of genital candidiasis are similar to those of many other genital infections. Making a diagnosis usually requires laboratory testing of a genital swab a physician takes from the affected area.
The drugs of choice for treating vaginal
yeast infections are antifungal drugs that can be:
- Taken orally
- Applied directly to the affected area
- Used vaginally.
Although these drugs usually work to cure the infection (80 percent to 90 percent success rate), infections that do not respond to treatment are becoming more common, especially in
HIV-infected women receiving long-term antifungal therapy. Prolonged and frequent use of these treatments can lessen their effectiveness.
Three-day and seven-day treatments may be effective as treatments for Candida infections.
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for
Candida infections are becoming more widely available. As a result, more women are diagnosing themselves with
yeast infections and using one of a family of drugs called "azoles" for therapy. However, misdiagnosis is common, and studies have shown that as many as two-thirds of all OTC drugs sold to treat
Candida infections are used by women without the disease.
Overuse of these antifungal medications can increase the chance that they will eventually not work (the fungus develops resistance to medications). Therefore, it is important to be sure of the diagnosis before treating it with over-the-counter or other antifungal medications.
Candida and Urinary Tract Infections
Because
yeast infections and
urinary tract infections share similar symptoms, such as a burning sensation when urinating, it is important to see a doctor and obtain laboratory testing to determine the cause of the symptoms. The most effective treatment can then begin.
