Yeast Infections—Vaginal Diseases

Vaginal problems are some of the most common reasons women go to the doctor. They may have symptoms such as

• Itching
• Burning
• Pain
• Abnormal bleeding
• Discharge

One common problem is vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina. Other problems that affect the vagina include sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. Treatment of vaginal problems depends on the cause.

• Bartholin cyst or abscess (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Imperforate hymen (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal cysts (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal dryness (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal itching and discharge – Adult and adolescent (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal itching and discharge – child (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Candidiasis, Moniliasis

Candida is the scientific name for yeast. It is a fungus that lives almost everywhere, including in your body. Usually, your immune system keeps yeast under control. If you are sick or taking antibiotics, it can multiply and cause an infection.

Yeast infections affect different parts of the body in different ways:

• Thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in your mouth
• Candida esophagitis is thrush that spreads to your esophagus, the tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach. It can make it hard or painful to swallow.
• Women can get vaginal yeast infections, causing vaginitis
• Yeast infections of the skin cause itching and rashes
• Yeast infections in your bloodstream can be life-threatening

Antifungal medicines get rid of yeast infections in most people. If you have a weak immune system, treatment might be more difficult.

• Candida infection of the skin (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Thrush (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vaginal yeast infection (Medical Encyclopedia)