Don't worry – help is here. If you think you have a vaginal yeast infection, don't panic – it's quite common. In fact, 75% of women will get this infection at some point in their lives. On the positive side, the problem is easily treated and cured. We hope this website sheds some light on what a yeast infection is all about, the therapies available to you, and ways to reduce the risk of getting one again.

How do I know if I have a yeast infection?

When a yeast infection occurs, your body responds with an increase in vaginal secretions. Generally thick and sticky, these secretions have little odour and often referred to as "cheesy" or "curd-like" because of their similarity in appearance to cottage cheese. These secretions irritate the tissue of the vagina and vulva, causing itching, redness, and swelling. Other common symptoms are soreness in the vagina and discomfort during urination and intercourse. While annoying, the good news is that the infection is easily treated with proven over-the-counter treatments such as Canesten®.

Should I see my doctor?

If you've had your doctor diagnose the problem before, you'll probably recognize most of the symptoms and can safely try an over-the-counter therapy yourself. On the other hand, if this is your first suspected yeast infection, you should consult your doctor before you attempt treatment. If your symptoms included fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or if the vaginal discharge is foul-smelling, you may have another kind of infection and should consult your doctor for a proper alternate treatment. With most anti-fungal products, symptoms will begin to subside after just one treatment and a cure will be complete in 3-6 days. Should symptoms not disappear or they reoccur, see your doctor.

How did I get it?

Vaginal yeast infections, also called vulvovaginal candidiasis, are usually caused by a yeast organism called Candida albicans. While it's normal for the vagina to have these yeast micro-organisms present, sometimes the Candida yeast start growing faster than usual, especially when there's a disruption in the vagina's natural pH balance. When this happens, the overgrowth of yeast irritates the delicate tissues in and around the vagina, leading to infection.

A variety of factors can upset the body's normal pH and promote a yeast infection:

• Illness or weakened immune system: May lower your body's ability to fight infections.
  
• Antibiotics: These bacteria-fighting drugs may cause an excessive yeast overgrowth.
  
• Menstruation: Hormone level changes may trigger the infection.
• Pregnancy: As your estrogen level increases, it can stimulate a yeast infection.
  
• Diabetes: Yeast feed on sugar, often present in the urine of diabetic women.
  
• Oral contraceptives: Although today's birth control pills generally have lower estrogen levels, some women may still be affected by the hormone change, which can lead to a yeast problem.
  
• Warmth & Moisture: Clothes that retain heat and moisture provide an ideal yeast growing environment. Humid weather may encourage the yeast in some women.