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Sports Medicine A Crucial Period Good Pain, Bad Pain On Your Knees Secondary Injuries Imaging Technology What's Sciatica? The Female Athlete Putting Your Feet First Itis Schmitis Too Much, Too Soon Under the Influence Twisted (Ankle) What's Goin' On? Think Inches, Not Pounds Preventing Vaginitis That Painful Pull Athlete's Heart Exercise & Arthritis Chilled to the Bone Measuring Body Fat Exercise and Your Breasts Choosing a Sports Doctor Lean on Me (Shoulder) Exercise & Anemia Exercise Abuse Pelvis Sighting Hand Aid It's All in the Wrist Back in Action Altitude Adjustment Tennis Elbow, Anyone? Exercising in the Heat Agony of the Feet Restless Legs Night Time Cramps Birth Control Concerns No Periods, No Babies? Post Partum Prescription Weight Loss Mystery Undesirable Cooldown To Brew Or Not To Brew Fitness After Baby Biking and Back Pain Swimmer's Shoulder A Hidden Athlete Avoiding Osteoporosis Drug Testing Maximum Heart Rate Headway Against Headaches Torn Rotator Cuff Fat Figures SOS About PMS Bloody Urine Sag Story Lackluster Leg Bothersome Bulge Gaining in Years Taking It On the Shin Aching Ankles Hoop Help Tender Toes Meals For Muscle Growing Pains Hot Tips High Altitude PMS Personal Bests Air Pollution Ankle Blues Heartbreak Heel Yeast Relief |
Preventing VaginitisHere's the lowdown on yeast infections.Vaginitis can be an uncomfortable part of an active lifestyle. Hours spent in leotards, bathing suits and other garments made of fabrics that don't breathe naturally can promote irritation, retention of moisture and the proliferation of bacteria. An infection or inflammation of the tissues of the vagina, vaginitis is usually caused by microorganisms that overgrow in the warm, moist environment. It may extend to the external female genitalia, the area called the vulva. Symptoms of vaginitis are a white or yellowish discharge, with or without odor, accompanied by itching and burning. Vaginitis may or may not be sexually transmitted. One of the most common forms of vaginitis, especially in active women, is caused by the Candida albicans fungus and is often called a "yeast infection." It is a naturally occurring fungus that is sometimes jokingly called "the fungus among us." It may colonize in the skin, mouth, vagina and rectum, but in such small amounts to go unnoticed. Candida usually does not cause problems except when it is introduced into a warm, moist environment. Candida is one of the many fungi that coexist with and infect humans, causing such problems as diaper rash, athlete's foot and other skin infections. These are not serious infections but they can cause uncomfortable symptoms. When Candida infects the vagina, it causes itching and a thick, white discharge somewhat like cottage cheese. The warm, moist vaginal environment acts as a hothouse to encourage the growth of this organism, which does not flourish on cool, dry areas of skin. Yeast can be introduced into the vagina in many ways, including sexual activity, non-sterile douche applicators, diaphragms and fingers. A change in the vagina's acid-base balance or naturally occurring bacteria also makes you more likely to develop this infection. Ordinarily the vagina is fairly acidic, with a pH of 4 to 5, and contains bacteria that maintain the pH in this range. |
Order Now! Table of Contents Foreword: Billie Jean King Comments by Barb Harris Editor in Chief, Shape Magazine
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