Candida is a genus of yeast that naturally occurs in the intestines, on the skin, and in mucous membranes. Most people have some level of Candida throughout the body. It's usually harmless. However, an overgrowth of Candida can lead to an infection called candidiasis, also known as a “yeast infection”. ⠀
Candida species are the most common causes of fungal infection. Approximately 90% of infections are caused by five species: Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei with Candida albicans and candida glabrata being the most commonly seen in practice.
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It’s estimated that 75% of all women will get at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime, and half of those will have at least one recurrence.
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Yeast infection symptoms can range from mild to moderate, and include:⠀
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- Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva⠀
- Joint pain ⠀
- General fatigue ⠀
- Redness and swelling of the vulva⠀
- Vaginal pain and soreness⠀
- Vaginal rash⠀
- Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance⠀
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What are some risk factors? ⠀
It is a common misconception,that thrush is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but, this is not the case. Risk factors include: ⠀
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- recent antibiotic use⠀
- oral contraceptive use⠀
- pregnancy⠀
- Hormonal changes⠀
- general illnesses like diabetes, iron deficiency and immune system disorders⠀
- associated vulval skin conditions, such as eczema.⠀
- Excessive alcohol consumption, disrupting the microbiome ⠀
- Excessive sugar consumption ⠀
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If you feel you are battling with thrush, I highly suggest getting in touch to rule out differential diagnosis. Vaginal thrush is commonly misdiagnosed as BV, vaginal atrophy and even UTIs. ⠀
For symptomatic relief Kolorex cream may be beneficial and can be purchased from the health and wellness store:
Directions: Apply topically to the sensitive areas of the vulva 2-3 times a day.
The herbal extracts may cause a brief sensation of warmth when applied. Patch test before use. Avoid contact with eyes. Do not use if reaction occurs or if you have known sensitivity to any of the ingredients. For external use only.
It is important to note that self prescribing anti-microbial / anti fungal medication long term can be detrimental to ones microbiota and can further disrupt the balance, leading to further complication.
If you are experiencing long term or chronic suspected yeast infections, please get in touch as it is important to figure out the root cause.
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