Every female of the Human species has a form of fluid that discharges form the vagina. These are called vaginal secretions. These secretions perform the task of naturally cleansing the vaginal walls and are secreted as a clear or, sometimes, milky white discharge. This discharge can change in appearance in accordance with the menstruation cycle every month and become either more clear and liquid or thicker and whitish in appearance, depending at what time of the month the fluid is measured.

Reasons for Yeast Infections

In these vaginal secretions live normal or good bacteria and yeast inside the vagina and a PH balanced environment controls them. Sometimes, if the PH balance of the vagina changes, this good bacteria and yeast can become unbalanced, making the yeast grow faster than normal and produce the onset of a yeast infection.

A yeast infection is common in women and many women will experience at least one yeast infection in their lives. This is especially true if the female in question has taken a course of antibiotics. Many antibiotics have the ability to change the natural PH balance of the vagina and it becomes more alkaline and in conjunction with the female’s body temperature, allows the bacteria and yeast to grow quicker resulting in the yeast infection discharge.

Yeast Infection: Cottage Cheese Like Discharge

What are the Symptoms?

When the yeast infection discharge is noticeable, it is because the vaginal secretions that have become overgrown. Typically, yeast infection discharge appears to have become a cottage cheese like substance in the area of the labia and the vagina. Sometimes, these areas can become painful and swollen in addition to the most common symptom of itching, which is felt in most cases of yeast infections. In most cases, the yeast infection discharge will not give off a foul odor; however, sometimes it does. In a case where the yeast infection discharge has an odor, smells unpleasant in any way or has a fish like smell, then the possibility exists of a bacterial yeast infection discharge, which requires a trip to the doctor for medication.

Treatments

Because yeast infection discharge is usually a naturally occurring condition, in many cases they clear up on their own if left untreated. However, sometimes the yeast can become so completely overgrown that a cream or suppository medication is needed, which must be administered with a prescription from a doctor in first time diagnosed infections. These creams and other medications are used to help the yeast infection discharge subside and restore the PH balance to normal. In cases where a female has had a yeast infection diagnosis in the past, she may purchase an over-the-counter medication to do the same job as those given by prescription. However, should any foul odor appear or if the infections recur frequently or do not go away entirely after the first try with a medication, a bacteria may be the cause and the woman affected should see he doctor immediately to prevent further infection.

Other Considerations

While a yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease, it may be unpleasant to engage in sexual intercourse while one is present because of the itching and appearance of the yeast itself. Additionally, the yeast infection discharge can be passed from one person to another, which can be a cause of recurring infections and if this happens, both partners need treatment to eradicate the yeast completely.