Ask Me Anything:15 Answers to Your Questions about Vaginal and Penile Yeast Infection

Now is the Time For You To Know The Truth About Vaginal And Penile Yeast Infection. It is often thought of as a female infection, but it also affects men. Although the women anatomy makes them more susceptible to infection, men are not left out.

Let us talk about vaginal yeast infection and penile yeast infection. This will lead to our vaginal hygiene blog series.

Everything You Need To Know About Vaginal And Penile Yeast Infection.

1. Yeast infections can happen to anyone at seemingly anytime. If you had or have it, you know they are uncomfortable, itchy and irritating.

2. It is easily treatable.

It is a fungal infection caused of the Candida fungus in the vagina.

3. 75% of women will experience a yeast infection in their lifetime, while up to 40%-45% of women will have recurring infections.

For Men

4. The most common causes of a penile yeast infection is unprotected sexual intercourse with a woman who has a vaginal yeast infection.

5. A man can also develop one without sexual activity. Poor hygiene can make you vulnerable to a yeast infection.

6. Men may see symptoms like small white patches and redness on the skin and itchiness or burning.

Symptoms In Women are

1. A thick, white, clumpy discharge, like cottage cheese, that often has little to no odor.

2. Redness and swelling of the vagina and the vulva (the outer part of the female genitals)

3. Pain or burning during urination.

4. Uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse

Cause of overgrowth of yeast in Vagina

1. Hormonal changes can change the balance of healthy yeast in the vagina. Pregnancy, breast-feeding, menopause, and birth control pills are all hormonal factors that can change the vaginal environment.

2. Antibiotics can kill off many of the bacteria that live in your vagina, causing an imbalance in the natural vaginal flora. While antibiotics kill off whatever bad bacteria is causing the primary infection, it also kills off the good bacteria that keeps the vaginal flora healthy, leading to an overgrowth of yeast.

3. A weakened or impaired immune system. (Men as well)

4. Your natural reaction to another individual’s genital chemistry can alter the natural vaginal flora enough to cause an infection (though a yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection).

5. Diabetes that is not well-controlled, leading to an increase in sugar in the mucus membranes (moist linings) of your vagina, creating the perfect conditions for the overgrowth of yeast.

Read Next Week’s blog on Prevention and Treatment of Vaginal and Penile Yeast Infection.