Vaginal thrush (vulvovaginal candidiasis)--called a vaginal yeast infection in the United States--is a type of infection caused by the overgrowth of a fungus called Candida albicans. This type of infection proves quite common--almost half of all...
Probiotics is the term commonly used to describe live bacteria that provide health benefits when ingested or applied topically to the human body. Many different health conditions have been reported to benefit from treatment with probiotics;...
Probiotics are microorganisms found in foods or supplements. Probiotics, also known as good bacteria, help to facilitate healthy digestion and protect you from harmful bacteria. According to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, there is...
While the word ''bacteria'' usually conjures up some negative images, some bacteria actually help promote health. These ''friendly'' bacteria, referred to as probiotics, live in areas of the body like the vagina and gastrointestinal tract. Using...
How good is your immunity? The commonly occurring yeast infection Candida, occurring in women, can flare up under conditions of changing vaginal acidity or hormones. Occurring in a majority of women some time in their lives, the symptoms include...
Yeast infections are typically caused by an overgrowth of candida, a fungus that usually lives harmlessly on your body. Certain people have a higher risk of developing yeast infections. Candidiasis is the term used to describe a vaginal yeast...
According to a 2001 journal article in "American Family Physician," vaginitis is the most common reason for women to visit the gynecologist, accounting for more than 10 million office visits per year. Approximately 30 percent of vaginitis cases...
A yeast infection, which is an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus, most commonly affects the mouth and vagina. Three-quarters of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point, and 90 percent of people with HIV or AIDS develop yeast...
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis are two of the most common types of vaginal infections affecting women worldwide. BV is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria normally present in the vagina. Though it appears to be associated with sexual...
The production of vaginal secretions is a normal bodily function in a woman. The cervix produces clear mucus that sheds from the vagina along with cells to maintain vaginal health. A significant change in appearance, frequency or odor of vaginal...
Boric acid vaginal suppositories have been used to treat vaginal yeast infections, though they are not recommended for uncomplicated, first-time treatments of common vulvovaginal candidiasis, as the efficacy of the treatment is not...
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (yeast infection) is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus found in the healthy vagina. Under normal conditions, the vagina has a balance of yeast and bacteria, which helps to keep the environment clean and moist. However, a...
Vaginal itching may be associated with a variety of conditions. The symptom often accompanies vaginal discharge and odor. A woman with vaginal itching that persists more than three days or continues to worsen should be examined and treated by a...
Womenshealth.gov estimates that approximately 5 percent of women experience recurrent yeast infections, defined as more than four infections in one year. Recurrent yeast infections are called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, and are typically...
Menopause causes several side effects associated with the hormonal changes a woman's body goes through as it starts to produce less estrogen and progesterone. While you may think of hot flashes and emotional ups and downs when menopause is...
Health supplements that contain live cultures of bacteria, known as probiotics, are gaining popularity as alternative treatments for a wide range of health conditions, including fungal infections known as thrush. A limited number of studies have...
Vaginal yeast infections, also called vulvovaginal candidiasis, or VVC, are common. According to MayoClinic.com, 75 percent of women experience at least one yeast infection, and for some, the infections stubbornly recur. The most common culprit...
Antibiotics are drugs that fight bacterial infections and save lives. According to MedlinePlus, antibiotics kill bacteria or prevent bacteria from reproducing and spreading throughout the body. Newer generations of antibiotics are less toxic...
Candida is a fungus normally found in the mouth, vagina and intestines. However, Candida sometimes overgrown, causing yeast infections which have to be treated promptly. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria naturally found in your gut. There are...
At some point in their lives, most women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection. WomensHealth.gov estimates that 75 percent of women will have one at some point in their lives, and most will have two or more. For women who ride --...
Candida is a yeast-like fungus that, when grown in excess, can lead to candidiasis, or yeast infections. Candida infections are common, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, affecting roughly 75 percent of all women and 90...
Candida is a yeastlike fungus present in most people's bodies. While modest amounts of candida rarely cause problems, excessive production can lead to infections in the mouth, skin, urinary tract, stomach and vagina. Symptoms of a yeast, or...
The human body contains many microorganisms, including bacteria, fungus and yeast. In a healthy individual, helpful organisms prevent the overgrowth of organisms that can cause illness, including candidiasis. However, stomach upset, chronic...
Fluconazole, an anti-fungal medication used to treat vaginal yeast infections, is occasionally paired with a probiotic supplement during treatment. The practice is relatively new and the research is far from conclusive, but there are studies that...
Vaginitis is a term used to describe several bacterial imbalances in the vagina, whose symptoms include itching, burning, swelling, discharge and possibly odor. The appropriate course of treatment for vaginitis depends of the type of infection you...
Yeast infections are caused by a prolific fungus called candida albicans. Candida can be found in mucous membranes and the digestive tract. Overgrowth of Candida albicans causes not only yeast infections but also other conditions, such as thrush....
