Do you have symptoms of a yeast infection? $39 Visit

Common signs of a yeast infection include:

• Itching or burning in or around your vagina
• Thick, white or yellowish discharge that looks like cottage cheese
• Redness and swelling around your vulva and vagina
• Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva
• Burning when you pee

If you are a woman, the odds are high that you’ve had at least one yeast infection. And if you are among the lucky few who haven’t, it’s likely that you will get one someday. It is usually signaled by itchiness, inflammation, and general discomfort in the vaginal area. Though they happen more frequently in women, men can get them, too, in the groin.

For women, a yeast infection occurs when the delicate balance of good bacteria and naturally occurring yeast in and around the vagina is disrupted. The possible causes of infection are numerous. They range from changes in the physical environment, like sitting for too long in a wet bathing suit, to changes in life circumstances, like severe stress or lack of sleep. They are also more common during pregnancy and after a course of antibiotics.

Treatment for yeast infections depends on how bad the infections are and how often they happen.

If you have mild to moderate symptoms and don't get infections often, treatment options include:

• Short-course vaginal therapy. Using an antifungal medicine for 3 to 7 days most often clears a yeast infection. Antifungal medicines come in the form of creams, ointments, tablets and small objects you put into your vagina, called suppositories. They include miconazole (Monistat 3) and terconazole. You can get these medicines with or without a prescription.
• One dose of medicine taken by mouth. Your healthcare professional might prescribe one dose of fluconazole (Diflucan). To manage severe symptoms, you might take two doses three days apart. Oral medicine is not used often in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.

To lower your risk of vaginal yeas….

• Do not wear tight pantyhose, underwear or jeans.
• Do not douche. This removes some of the good germs in the vagina that protect from infection.
• Do not use scented products in the vaginal area. For instance, don't use scented bubble bath, soap, menstrual pads and tampons.
• Do not use hot tubs or take hot baths.
• Do not use antibiotics you don't need. For instance, don't take antibiotics for colds or other viral infections.
• Do not stay in wet clothes, such as swimsuits and workout clothes, for longer than needed.
• Wear underwear with a cotton crotch to absorb moisture