At some point in their lives, 75% of women will experience the discomfort of a yeast infection. Symptoms include vaginal itching and burning, irritation accompanied by swelling and redness, and painful urination.

Another common complaint with yeast infection sufferers is pain after sexual intercourse. An odorless vaginal discharge may be present and this can range from a watery substance to a thick, white, cottage cheese like consistency.

Yeast infections are caused by a bacterium known as Candida Albicans. This bacterium is typically present in the vagina in small numbers. The Candida starts causing symptoms when the environment in the vagina changes. Some common disruptions that can cause this in an otherwise healthy vagina include an elevation in sugar levels, douching, diabetes and antibiotic use.

Many women also experience yeast infections during pregnancy due to hormonal influxes. Other causes include injury to the vaginal area or vulva membranes, sexual transmission, tight or poorly ventilated clothing, poor diet, a weakened immune system, prescription drugs and the birth control pill.

Treatments are plentiful. Perhaps the most common is prescribed oral medication received from a doctor. This drug is Fluconazole. Anti fungal vaginal medications in the form of creams, suppositories or tablets available by prescription or over-the-counter are also common.

Once you have your Candida under control it’s easy to prevent further infection by avoiding antibiotics when they are not prescribed, wearing loose fitting clothing, avoiding douching and perfumed soaps and keeping the area dry at all times.

Some alternative cures for Candida include eating yogurt on a regular basis. The Candida is kept under control from the cultures in yogurt and probiotics supplements. Drinking buttermilk daily is thought to have the same effect, as well as applying apple cider vinegar to the infected area.

So no matter what treatment you pursue, treat your infection from the root cause. When you find the cause of your infection you will prevent further infections from happening. The most important thing you can do is get a proper diagnosis from your doctor as soon as you start feeling any symptoms.