Ugh: The Deal With Yeast Infections

Got that itch?

When You Get That Itch - Yes, we all know that yeast infections are part of the course for being a woman, but they still suck and are pretty annoying. Learn more about what causes them and what you can do to prevent them from coming back. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

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When You Get That Itch - Yes, we all know that yeast infections are part of the course for being a woman, but they still suck and are pretty annoying. Learn more about what causes them and what you can do to prevent them from coming back. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

What’s a Vaginal Yeast Infection? - Yeast — a harmless fungus — isn’t always a bad thing. It’s completely normal to have a few yeast cells in our vagina. But when you have too many and everything is out of balance, it’s called a yeast infection. Most times, the infections we have are caused by Candida albicans. (Photo: BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)

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What’s a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

How Are They Diagnosed? - It’s pretty easy to misdiagnose a yeast infection on your own if you've never had one. If that's your case and you're experiencing these symptoms, your best bet is to go the gyno for a pelvic exam. They can take a swab and determine what is going on. Most women who get them occasionally and know their bodies and the symptoms usually can diagnose and treat them with over-the-counter meds. (Photo: 0Sean Justice/Corbis)

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How Are They Diagnosed?

Are They STDs? - The CDC doesn’t label yeast infections a STD, because you don’t need to have sex to develop one, BUT be clear: You can get from an infection from oral, vaginal and anal sex, says WomensHealth.Gov. One way to reduce your risk of getting one is to use condoms and dental dams. (Photo: Rob Melnychuk/Corbis)

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Are They STDs?

Preventing Them - The good news is that there are simple things you can do to prevent getting them. For starters, always wipe front to back, don’t douche, use gentle soaps when washing your privates, avoid scented soaps and sprays, change pads, tampons and panty liners more often, wear looser pants and panties and change out of wet bathing suits as soon as possible. Also, eating more yogurt often helps, too. (Photo: Tim Pannell/Corbis)

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Preventing Them