Let’s be real. Yeast infections are not fun. They’re uncomfortable, aggravating, excruciating, and most of us women have had one at some point in our lives.
As we get older we learn how to deal with these things and as the youth enter into this stage in life, we simply have to pass on the knowledge. How will you know you have one? What does a yeast infection look like? What does it feel like?
Here are 10 signs you need to make a trip to your doctor or your nearest pharmacy:
Typical yeast infections of the vagina, are commonly caused by antibiotics, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, weak immune system, poor eating habits, hormonal imbalance near the time of menstruation, stress, and lack of sleep.
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Although a yeast infection is not considered an STI, you can get a yeast infection from your sexual partner. You may have only a few of these signs and symptoms of the vagina and they include:
1. Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulva
2. Pain when urinating
3. Pain during sex
4. Soreness
5. A thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell
The most common symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina. However, it is important to know you can also get a yeast infection in the nipples from breastfeeding, which is also known as thrush.
Yeast thrives on milk and moisture so thrush can be passed back and forth between the mom and the baby. A thrush yeast infection is different from a vaginal yeast infection but is caused by an overgrowth of the same fungus. Symptoms of thrush during breastfeeding include:
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6. Sore nipples that last more than a few days, especially after several weeks of pain-free breastfeeding
7. Flaky, shiny, itchy, or cracked nipples
8. Deep pink and blistered nipples
9. Achy breast
10. Shooting pain in the breast during or after feedings
If you have any of these signs/symptoms or think you have a yeast infection or your baby might have thrush in their mouth, call your doctor.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
