Introduction
Yeast fungi in the vagina belong in most cases to the natural vaginal colonization and primarily do not represent a health hazard at first. However, if the balance of microorganisms in the vagina gets out of control, the yeast fungi can cause an infection of the genital area. In this case the term vaginal fungus is often used as a generalization. Yeast fungi, in most cases of the Candida albicans variety, cause symptoms such as a reddened intimate area, burning, itching and in some cases discharge from the vagina. Since the infection by yeast fungi affects the external genital organ, i.e. the vulva and the vagina equally, it is medically called vulvovaginal mycosis.
General Information
An infection with a yeast fungus is also known as Candida Albicans. The yeast fungus is one of the most common infectious diseases and mostly occurs in the area of the mucous membranes, as the moist and warm environment there is an ideal breeding ground for the yeast fungus. In 85% of the cases the infestation is caused by the yeast fungus Candida albicans.
If a yeast fungus occurs in the area of the vagina, it is sometimes also called vaginal mycosis. Due to the warm, humid conditions of the vagina, the vagina offers good living conditions for the yeast fungus, especially at childbearing age. The yeast fungus is an infection that many women are affected by once during their lifetime.
About every fifth woman after puberty is infected by the yeast fungus in her intimate area. Typical symptoms of a yeast infection are itching, burning, redness or even crumbly discharge in the intimate area of the woman. Causes for the infestation with a yeast fungus can be disturbances of the immune defense, caused by stress or other basic diseases.
Another cause is a not intact vaginal environment. In the case of disorders caused, for example, by hormonal changes, nutrition, hygiene or medication, a yeast infection can also occur with increased probability. If a yeast infection is suspected, a gynecologist should usually be consulted. Common yeast infections can be treated with anti-fungal agents in the form of suppositories or creams. However, the symptoms can also be the result of other, bacterial infections, so treatment should only be started after the actual cause has been diagnosed.
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