| When most women experience genital itching or | | | | Drugs that reduce the body's defenses, such as |
| discharge, they tend to assume they have a | | | | drugs used to treat AIDS, also allow the yeast to |
| yeast infection. Their next step is often quietly | | | | grow and spread |
| buying an over-the-counter product that has been | | | | In chronic Candidiasis, the rapidly multiplying |
| advertised on TV. But genital itching can be a | | | | candida changes form. It morphs into its |
| symptom of many other conditions, from other | | | | dangerous fungal state and spreads. The fungal |
| kinds of vaginal infections to sexually transmitted | | | | form of candida produces rhizoids hook-shaped |
| diseases to skin allergies. | | | | barbed appendages that cut into tissue and |
| Yeast infections can happen to any girl, and | | | | membranes, causing pain and other harmful |
| they're not related to having sex although they | | | | symptoms. If not treated, a condition called Leaky |
| occasionally can be spread from one sexual | | | | Gut Syndrome can develop in the intestinal tract. |
| partner to the other. This is quite rare, though, | | | | Leaky Gut Syndrome allows toxins to leave the |
| and the partner of someone who has a yeast | | | | digestive tract and feed right into the |
| infection does not automatically have to be | | | | bloodstream. |
| treated. Yeast infections that are spread through | | | | A vaginal yeast infection (yeast vaginitis) is not |
| sex are not considered a sexually transmitted | | | | considered to be a typical sexually transmitted |
| disease (STD). A doctor won't be able to tell how | | | | infection (STD), since Candida may be present in |
| you got a yeast infection, but will be able to tell | | | | the normal vagina, and the condition does occur in |
| you if you really have one, and if so, how to | | | | celibate women. However, it is possible for men |
| treat it. | | | | to develop symptoms after sexual intercourse |
| There are several situations in which the yeast | | | | with an infected partner. |
| may multiply. Sometimes, if you are taking | | | | Treatment first aims to improve the underlying |
| antibiotics, it can kill the bacteria that normally | | | | condition that predisposes the patient to |
| keep yeast levels down. Conditions that cause | | | | candidiasis, such as controlling diabetes or |
| hormonal changes, such as menopause, | | | | discontinuing antibiotic therapy and catheterization, |
| pregnancy, or taking birth control pills, may also | | | | if possible. |
| cause the yeast to grow. Yeast infections are | | | | Avoid antibiotics and steroids unless absolutely |
| often associated with diabetes, especially when | | | | necessary. Because antibiotics and steroids can |
| the blood sugar level is too high. Recurring or | | | | alter the bodys internal balance, they should be |
| stubborn cases may sometimes be an early sign | | | | avoided. If you are unable to avoid their use, a |
| of diabetes. In some cases, yeast infections that | | | | vaginal yeast cream may be used at the first sign |
| don't go away are an early sign of HIV infection. | | | | of an infection. |