Candida

Candida

Candida Albicans - two words every woman dreads, whether or not she knows what they mean. But for those who don't, Candida is the organism that causes yeast infections. Anybody who's ever had one will know exactly what that means: itching, burning, swelling, messy discharge, and general misery in the nether regions. It isn't the sort of thing you brag to your friends about while you're suffering, like a hangover. A yeast infection is something you want to get rid of as quickly, completely and quietly as possible. Luckily, that's more than possible for today's woman, without even a visit to the doctor if she already knows what she's dealing with (Once you've met Candida for the first time, you'll certainly remember it if it shows up again!).

Candida has been around for so long, various untruths have grown on the subject of how you get it and how you get rid of it. Eating bread or drinking yeasty beverages (like beer) can't cause a yeast infection, or make it worse. Yeast that goes into your digestive system does not go into your reproductive system, where Candida Albicans causes its problems. The yeast in bread, beer and other food items is not even the same organism.
Yeast infections are generally the result of the body's natural immune system and/or the pH balance of the vaginal canal getting out of order. This could be the result of an illness taxing the immune system, or something as simple as over-frequent douching or overuse of regular soap. Being exposed to an infected person through sexual contact (or sharing a sex partner without protection) can also introduce a yeast infection. The Candida yeast, which is present in most women in small amounts, takes advantage of any environment that allows it to grow out-of-control. It's really quite simple, and generally nothing to be ashamed of.

Candida Treatment

As for Candida treatment, don't waste your time with homemade concoctions and do-it-yourself cures. A great many effective and affordable treatments are available without prescription for basic cases. While non-prescription treatment used to mean putting up with a seven-day regimen of messy creams or suppositories, five and even three-day treatments are now available (although they're still as messy as the old ones!). Non-prescription remedies are effective for almost all average Candida outbreaks, so you should be back to normal in less than a week.

Of course, if your symptoms seem unusual compared to past yeast infections, or if a non-prescription medication doesn't work, a visit to the doctor is definitely in order. It could just be a 'stubborn' Candida infection, but it might also be another medical condition altogether. In either case, don't get embarrassed and sit around hoping it goes away! Whether it's just a difficult case of Candida or something more serious, the sooner it's gone, the better!

Candida Links

UK Department of Health

National Candida Society