The vagina is a vital organ of a female’s body, and keeping it healthy is as important as anything else. A lot of vaginal complications excruciates among females, leading to certain infections and stress in the vagina. Yeast infection in the vagina or vaginal candidiasis is a terribly occurring complication that affects 3 out of 4 females at any phase of their lives. It causes vaginal irritation and thick secretion followed by unpleasant odor and itchiness.
This blog post covers every aspect of vaginal candidiasis in detail to help you understand more about this commonly occurring vaginal complication in females. Also, we have shed light on how water intake plays a role in combatting yeast infections in females. But first, let’s find out what are the triggering causes of developing a yeast infection in the vagina.
Causes of Yeast Infection
The yeast infection is caused by the overgrowth of yeast, commonly known as Candida Albicans, which occurs in the female body. The yeast growth is controlled by certain types of bacteria known as lactobacillus. Once the growth of this fungus is triggered due to a disturbance in the immune system or bacterial imbalance, it leads to yeast infection in the deeper vaginal layers. Not only these infections occur in the vagina but also in the mouth, known as thrush.
Certain factors contribute to the overgrowth of Candida Albicans, including:
- Prolonged use of antibiotics
- An upset immune system
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Pregnancy
- Increased level of estrogen in the blood
- Frequent intake of birth control pills
There are some other risk factors of vaginal infection as well, which are caused due to certain lifestyle routines such as:
- Wearing wet underwear or wet leggings
- Not taking care of vaginal hygiene, such as not washing it properly
- Using scented vaginal deodorants
- Using public toilets more often
- Sexual intercourse with a partner who already has a yeast infection
Yeast grows in damp spots and places with high sugar concentrations, so females who wear wet clothes and have sugar are at a high risk of developing a yeast infection. If you got a vaginal infection, you would witness a change in the color and consistency of the vaginal discharge, making it thick and lumpy, followed by inflammation and irritation on the vaginal skin. It is not a sexually transmitted complication but can happen to any female after puberty and usually before menopause.
Symptoms of Developing a Yeast Infection
Sometimes, females observe an unusual vaginal discharge but do not consider it infectious. However, the infection may result in severe vaginal complications if ignored and not treated for longer. A vaginal yeast infection has the following signs and symptoms, and if you feel any of these, consult your doctor to prevent yourself from its severity.
- Vaginal inflammation and rash
- Thick vaginal discharge of white color and weird odor
- Burning sensation during sexual activity
- Irritation while urinating
- Itchiness and redness at the vaginal opening
Almost 70 to 75% of females suffer from vaginal infections once in their lifetime. However, some of these may not feel all of the symptoms mentioned above, making it crucial to get yourself checked if you suspect any vaginal infection. Some may also feel symptoms similar to sexually transmitted infections, which can only be consulted through a healthcare practitioner.
How Does Water Help in Flushing Out the Yeast Infection?
It is extremely important to keep your body hydrated to make the body’s organs work optimally. You will be surprised to find out the effectiveness of water intake in terms of combatting yeast infection. Drinking enough amount of water not only guarantees a healthy lifestyle but also significantly deters the chances of getting a yeast infection.
Water can dissolve all kinds of solutes, draining out the toxic substances from the body, balancing the acidity and basicity of the human body, and neutralizing the pH of the vagina. In case of yeast infection, drinking the extra amount of water helps flush out the fungal yeast that is the primary cause of vaginal candidiasis.
If the body lacks enough water, it may result in vaginal dryness, and this lack of moisture makes the infection even worse. With more water intake, the body produces more urine that drains the excessive glucose and yeast out of the body through urination. When the body is left with low sugar concentration, the growth of fungal yeast is depreciated. Following is the breakdown of multiple roles of water in decreasing the chances of yeast infection in the female’s vagina.
Balances the Vagina’s pH
Keeping a pH balance is important to prevent yeast growth in the vagina; for that, your vaginal pH should not exceed 4.0. The fungal yeast does not grow at this moderately acidic pH level. As the pH goes up to 4.5 or 5.0, the growth of fungal yeast is triggered, which can only be controlled by increasing the water intake. The water flushes out the basic ions and returns the pH balanced.
Dissolves the High Sugar Concentration
People who suffer from diabetes mellitus are more likely to catch vaginal candidiasis, and to combat the growth of yeast, you need to intake an excessive amount of water. Water dissolves excessive blood sugar and produces diluted urine, removing high sugar concentrations from the vagina.
Reduces Skin Itchiness and Redness
One of the many reasons behind vaginal infection is vaginal dryness which leads to irritation and itchiness on the vaginal skin. With increased water intake, the vagina gets enough moisture and stimulates the vaginal-protecting mucus that prevents the vagina from inflammation, soreness, redness, and irritation. Excessive water intake also reduces the burning sensation that results from peeing.
Flush Out the Toxic Substances
The more water you drink, the more urine your body produces. When accumulated inside the body, the toxic substances result in various infectious diseases, and vaginal yeast infection can be one of these. With urination, the yeast cells and other toxins are removed from the body, keeping the vaginal cavity free from yeast.
How Can One Intake Water to Flush Out a Vaginal Infection?
Although there is not a set amount of water to consume daily, drinking at least 8 glasses of water is important to keep the body hydrated and away from various disorders. You may even add healthy flavors to your regular water glass and enjoy the healthy drink while not depriving your body of the required water content.
You can increase your water intake and get those wicked infectious yeast cells out of your body in a few ways.
- Drink lukewarm water at any time of the day, especially in the morning, to boost your metabolism.
- Squeeze a lemon into a lukewarm glass of water as lemon balances the vaginal pH and drains out yeast through urination.
- Try consuming fresh juice any time of the day to provide the body with the right antioxidants and fight the fungal infection.
- To reduce the loss of fluids from the body, you may intake oral rehydration salts or ORS, which work effectively in case of dehydration. However, if you are diabetic, you should be careful with the ORS intake.
- Some fruits, such as strawberries, grapefruit, apples, watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes, have high water content, so you may also increase your intake of these fruits.
When to See a Doctor
Generally, females do not prefer to rush to the doctor to get a consultation on their vaginal infection. The yeast infection can be treated at home by increasing the water intake, using OTC vaginal cream, and taking care of your vagina. However, if you are unsure about the vaginal discharge or having 2 to 3 yeast infection symptoms for longer, you may visit a doctor for timely consultation. After diagnosing your condition, your doctor will prescribe the medication to treat the infection.
Effective Remedies to Treat Yeast Infection
Yeast is a single-cell organism that is present in the human body most of the time, but once its growth is triggered due to the intake of antibiotics or poor hygienic conditions, it may lead to irritating yeast infections. Drinking water and following some useful tips work great in preventing vaginal fungal infections. Following are a few remedies that you may practice at home to keep your vagina clean from infections and maintain its health in the best way possible.
- The fungal yeast grows fast when the bacteria that is responsible for its growth is killed. To promote the growth of these bacteria, you may start taking probiotic supplements, which suppress yeast production and promote bacterial growth.
- Adding yogurt to your diet helps keep your immune system regulated optimally, and it also works as a strong probiotic.
- Coconut oil is used to treat all kinds of infections as it has skin-soothing properties that quickly heal the infected area. In case of vaginal infection, apply coconut oil to the infected area to reduce skin itchiness, redness, and dryness.
- Clean your vagina with clean water, and keep washing the discharge whenever it comes out.
Tips to Prevent Yeast Infection
Your vagina needs to be healthy; once it gets infected, it leads to various serious complications. If you want to prevent vaginal infection, you need to make a few changes in your lifestyle, such as:
- Do not wear a scented pad or tampons.
- Do not wear wet undergarments.
- Change your sweaty clothes as soon as possible.
- Control your sugar intake if you have diabetes.
- Use a condom during intercourse if the other person has a yeast infection.
- Drink enough water.
- Do not take hot showers and hot baths.
- Wash your vagina regularly and keep changing your undergarments and clothes if the vaginal secretion is stained.
If nothing works effectively in treating vaginal candidiasis, you may start taking the antifungal medication course, which may be in the form of oral intake, ointment, or any vaginal cream. Pay serious attention to your yeast infection, as it can lead to other vaginal complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the other names used for yeast infection?
Yeats infection is also called Vaginal Candidiasis or Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.
What is vaginitis?
Vaginitis is a vaginal complication in which the vagina gets inflamed and infected due to certain conditions. Vaginal yeast infection is also a commonly occurring type of vaginitis in females.
What are the causes which trigger vaginal yeast infection?
Some causes of vaginal yeast infection include the intake of oral contraceptives and antibiotics for longer, pregnancy, disturbance in the immune system, uncleanliness, and uncontrolled diabetes.
How long does it take for the yeast infection to last?
The yeast infection symptoms take several days to a week to recover completely. With the help of OTC medication and taking care of vaginal hygiene, you may prevent yeast infection from coming back or control it before it gets severe.
Does yeast infection go away on its own?
A serious yeast infection is only treated through medication that stops the fungal growth, but if the infection is low to mild, it might go away within a week, even if not treated.
Can a male get affected with a yeast infection?
A male can also get a yeast infection called a penile yeast infection.
Why is water considered helpful in fighting yeast infection?
Intaking an excess amount of water flushes the yeast out of the body, washes out the vaginal secretions, and maintains the pH balance of the vagina, which cures the yeast infection.
What are the types of yeast infections?
Different types of yeast infections include vaginal yeast infection, diaper rash, cutaneous candidiasis, and oral thrush.
How much amount of water is recommended to flush out the yeast?
There is no particular limit of water to remove the fungal yeast from the body; however, drinking more water is recommended. Drinking 8 glasses of water daily is important to keep the body’s organs functioning optimally. Strictly following the commitment to drinking the suggested amount of water is the only way to prevent various diseases, including vaginal infections.
Should my sexual partner need to be treated if I have a vaginal infection?
If your partner has a penis, the chances of transmitting your vaginal infection to him are lower, so there is no need to treat his infection.
What is Candida Albicans?
Candida Albicans is a fungal infection caused by a yeast known as ‘Candida.’ Candida is normally present in various body parts, such as the mouth, vagina, and gut, and does not cause any complications. Once the growth of Candida is triggered, it may result in yeast infections.
What should I do if I get yeast infection more often?
If you get yeast infections more often, you may need to get your diabetes test checked along with other tests such as AIDS and HIV.
Emily Smith is a talented content writer, wielding words to create captivating stories and informative articles across a wide range of topics. With a passion for effective communication and a love for research, Emily consistently produces engaging and valuable content. She’s dedicated to conveying ideas clearly and compellingly, making her a sought-after voice in the digital sphere. When not writing, Emily enjoys immersing herself in art, nature, and culinary adventures for fresh bursts of creativity.
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