Vaginal Yeast Infections

What Causes Vaginal Yeast Infections?

Vaginal yeast infections usually arise when yeast predominates the number of normal bacteria in the vaginal area. When women take immunosuppressive drugs or antibiotics, they eradicate some of their protective bacteria, which can lead to the increase of yeast and vaginitis accordingly. Other conditions that can lead to external vaginal yeast infections include:

• Injury of the genital area
• Suppressed immune system
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Oral contraceptives
• The use of perfumed vaginal hygiene sprays

There are other risk factors, such as poor hygiene or bad genetics. 

What Causes Recurring Vaginal Skin Yeast Infections?

Although it happens only to up to 5% of women, if a yeast infection occurs more than four times a year and is not caused by antibiotic use, it can become chronic. Recurring vaginal skin yeast infections usually entail more serious treatment and are induced by other underlying medical conditions of the woman. 

Is STD Testing Required?

Since yeast is present to some extent in every vagina, yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. However, sexually transmitted disease testing is still recommended for sexually active women since the vaginal yeast infection can lead to skin irritation on the penis of a male partner. Women’s health tests can also be an alternative to std testing, considering that celibate women can also develop a vaginal yeast infection. 

How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Diagnosed?

Vaginal yeast infection can be diagnosed in a women’s health lab through microscopic analysis of a specimen scraped from the affected vaginal area. This is the quickest, least expensive, and most accurate way to identify vaginal yeast infections in case the symptoms are not specific enough for the diagnosis. 

Yeast Infection Versus BV

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a disbalance of bacteria in the microflora of the vagina, which is often confused with a vaginal yeast infection. Although they have different causes and require different treatments, yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis are very similar in their symptoms.

Both BV and yeast infections are infections that cause vaginitis, or the inflammation of the vagina. This also implies pain during intercourse and urination and a vaginal discharge. However, while yeast infection is accompanied by a thick white discharge with no odor in the vaginal area, BV is characterized by a thin discharge with a white or grey color that has a foul-smelling “fishy” odor. 

Can BV Turn Into Yeast Infection?

If the question “can yeast infections turn into BV,” then the answer is no. Since both bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection are characterized by the disbalance of microorganisms in the vaginal area, there is a common misconception that these two infections can be responsible for each other’s occurrence. However, neither BV can turn into a yeast infection nor vice versa.

Number One Lab Women’s Health Test in Miami is your reliable partner when it comes to STD testing and Women’s Health Test. Book a test online, come over to the laboratory on time, and get tested. Your results will be available within a few days after the test via your email.

» Learn more: Things To Avoid When You Have A UTI: Everything You Need To Know