Health Care Article

A vaginal yeast infection is one of the most irritating yet common conditions that affect women.In fact, it is so common that about 75% of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives. With almost half will have recurrent infections, meaning two or more infections later on in life.

What is a yeast infection?
Yeast infection is also called candidiasis, and is due to the fungus Candida albicans that infects the vagina.

You must be wondering why yeast would grow in the vagina. In fact, it is natural to find small amounts of yeast living in the vagina under normal conditions. However, the natural acidity of the vagina can be unbalanced, causing the yeast to overgrow and cause an infection.

The infection will then cause irritation of the vagina and the vulva. This may cause you to suffer extreme itchiness in and around the vagina. This may be accompanied by a thick, white, odourless vaginal discharge that has the texture of cottage cheese.

You may also notice other symptoms like burning, redness and swelling of the vagina and vulva, pain upon urinating, and pain or discomfort during sex.

What causes it? (more…)

When it comes to safe sex, both men and women are responsible for ensuring that they use the right kind of contraception correctly. Condoms are one of the most common and easy to use forms of contraception to protect against unplanned pregnancies and certain sexually transmitted diseases.

It is also one of the most affordable and accessible methods as you do not have to go clinic or get a prescription. However, certain myths and misconceptions about condoms prevail, causing some people to avoid using them or use them incorrectly.

For birth control
The condom is really nothing more than a very thin piece of latex or polyurethane that fits over the penis. It blocks semen from entering the vagina, as well as the exchange of bodily fluids that may carry infection.

Condoms - if used consistently and always correctly have a 98% efficacy in preventing pregnancies. However, the problems lies in the way people use condoms. If condoms are not correctly or not with every sexual intercourse, then ‘accidents’ are bound to occur. One way to increase the efficacy of condoms is to use contraceptive foams, creams, jellies, films, or suppositories that kill the sperm if condom breaks. Some condoms are even coated with a spermicide to provide this extra protection. (more…)