Yeast? No, no, not the stuff that makes bread rise. Yeast is a tiny organism that normally lives in small numbers on the skin and inside the vagina. It’s perfectly normal to have this white coloured stuff inside your vagina, but if too much grows this can develope into a yeast infection.
How does it feel?
Yeast infections are really uncomfortable with the symptoms being an itching and burning to the vagina, a white thick discharge, pain during sexual intercourse and a swelling of the skin around the vagina. They are usually not serious but are really uncomfortable and embarassing to get checked and cured. Don’t worry though, around about 3/4 of women will suffer from a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. Make sure as soon as you suspect you have a yeast infection that you contact your doctor straight away before it gets really out of control and more uncomfortable.
How is it cured?
Yeast infections are treated after seeing a doctor and discussing with him the symptoms and making sure it is a yeast infection you have, your doctor will then give you a cream that you will have to put inside your vagina to soothe the itching and burning sensation. There’s also an oral pill that does the same.
How can teens avoid getting a yeast infection?
You can avoid getting a yeast infection by doing the following:
- Avoid tight fitting or synthetic-fiber clothes.
- Don’t wear pantyhose or leotards daily.
- Use your blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry your vagina after you have a bath or shower.
- Wipe from front to back after using the toilet. This may help prevent the bacteria that normally live in your bum from getting into your vagina.
- Don’t wear swimsuits or damp clothes for long periods of time.
- Wear cotton pants.