What is a Chronic Yeast Infection?

Too often, you'd hear of women who are experiencing chronic yeast infection. You'd hear them saying, "I tried everything but the yeast keeps coming back!" Often, women feeling harassed and stressed out would wail at their physician, "How do I get rid of this infection?!"

The physician would probably asked, "Have you been taking the antibiotics? Did you stick to your no-sugar-no-carb diet? Have you been tested for thyroid problems?" Often, women would answer, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

The Prevalence of This Infection

Unfortunately, many women suffering from yeast infection would find themselves cursing the infection on a monthly basis. It doesn't seem to go away regardless of what treatment and medications they have tried. It can be annoying and it can be quite stressful. Often, the symptoms cause severe discomfort that you'd find it difficult to work. The symptoms of this infection can also be signs of irritant vulvitis. So, women suffering from this infection are advised to visit their physician for proper diagnosis.

Diagnosis of this infection or other conditions is confirmed by a wet prep or candida yeast culture. These tests are advised to be performed after every reoccurrence. If the condition does not respond easily to anti-yeast treatment, a diagnosis of irritant vulvitis is considered.

Risk Factors of Chronic Yeast Infections

There are several factors that place a person at risk of developing this infection. One of these factors is an existing diabetes condition. People who are suffering from diabetes or those with abnormal glucose intolerance or are resistant to insulin are at major risks of developing this condition. Women who are taking oral contraceptives are also prone to developing this problem. People with HIV will likely develop this condition if their CD4 counts are lower than 100. Women who have been taking antibiotics or who have been in antibiotic therapy may also suffer from the same condition.

If you are not suffering from any of these conditions, yeast infection will likely clear up easily. However, there are women who suffer from this condition although they may not necessarily be suffering from any of the risk factors to developing the condition. These women are likely suffering from drug-resistant candida yeast infection. There are strains that pose a problem because they eventually develop resistance or tolerance to the drug. Certain medications only work for yeast infection only for a number of period or occurrence. The recurrence can also be blame to a certain strain of candida. There are times when mutational changes occur in candida subspecies after reoccurrence of infection.

Treatment for Chronic Yeast Infection

An effective treatment for this infection is butoconazole. This may be more effective than any other yeast treatment. Strains of candida that can cause reoccurring yeast infections are often resistant to fluconazole or terconazole. You can also try boric acid suppositories as a natural alternative treatment for this infection.

You can prevent re occurrence of chronic yeast infection. Weekly application of terconazole cream may lessen the chances of its re occurrence. There is no exact preventive treatment that applies to everyone. There are medications that may work for some but may not necessarily work for another. However, oral medications or intravaginal medications taken or applied weekly or monthly may help in relieving the symptoms.