When My Daughter Told Me About Her Symptoms, I Knew She Had Her First Yeast Infection

Life brought many new changes when my daughter went to college, and her first yeast infection was one of them. When she called me on a Friday worried about symptoms—vaginal itching, discharge that was thick, white and lumpy like cottage cheese, burning—I suspected it was a yeast infection, so that weekend she came home and we confirmed it with our doctor. 

If you’re like me, your daughter’s health is as important as your own. It’s comforting to know that vaginal yeast infections are common and treatable. But why do we girls and women get yeast infections? I probably should have talked to her about this before she left for college, and I encourage all moms to do just that so she knows what to expect and how to potentially avoid getting one! 

So let’s be clear about the cause: it’s about the overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. Here are some possible yeast infection causes:

Too much food for yeast to grow…

  • Menstruation: Changes in hormone levels during a normal menstrual cycle can result in occasional or recurrent yeast infections.
  • Increased Estrogen Levels: Women who are taking birth control pills that have a high-dose of estrogen as well as those on estrogen hormone therapy are more susceptible to developing a yeast infection.
  • Pregnancy: Increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy make women more susceptible to yeast infections.
  • Diabetes: Whether controlled or uncontrolled, diabetes puts women at higher risk for developing a yeast infection because of the extra glucose that’s not being properly metabolized.

Not enough bacteria to keep yeast in check…

  • Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill healthy lactobacillus bacteria (“good bacteria”) in the vagina, which enables yeast to overgrow.
  • Cancer Treatments: Undergoing chemotherapy treatments creates a greater risk for developing a yeast infection.
  • Impaired Immune System: Women with weakened immunity from corticosteroid therapy or HIV infections are at greater risk for developing a yeast infection.

Relieve symptoms faster

There’s no reason why a yeast infection should hold you back from your workout routine! Once you know what it is, the next step is finding out how to treat a yeast infection. After your doctor confirms that it's a yeast infection, reach for MONISTAT®. MONISTAT® is the #1 OTC (over-the-counter) yeast infection brand and relieves yeast infection symptoms 4x faster than the leading prescription pill.

If it’s her first yeast infection, it's important to talk with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Not sure what to ask? Here are some questions to ask about your first yeast infection.

How to help her prevent yeast infections

Here is some advice you can give her on how to help prevent yeast infections:

  • Avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads, and tampons
  • Change tampons and pads often during her period
  • Avoid tight underwear or clothes made of synthetic fibers
  • Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch
  • Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as she can
  • If she keeps getting yeast infections, be sure and talk with your doctor

“My daughter called from college, worried about her symptoms. I knew it was a vaginal yeast infection. Moms know best. When I get a yeast infection, I turn to MONISTAT®. Now she does too.”

Do you have a yeast infection?

Do you have a yeast infection?

Answer a few questions and find out what your symptoms mean.

Reach for MONISTAT® 

MONISTAT® comes in 3 doses: highest dose MONISTAT® 1, regular strength MONISTAT® 3, and low dose MONISTAT® 7. Regardless of which product you choose, you should begin to experience some symptom relief after 3 days, and complete relief in 7 days.

MONISTAT® 1 may be the perfect solution for busy women with active lifestyles. This powerful, single-dose product is available in the convenient Ovule® that adheres to the vaginal walls for fast relief. It stays in place and can therefore can be used during the day or night, making it a great solution for women who don’t want to wait until bedtime to begin treating their yeast infection, or those who exercise frequently or engage in a high level of activity.

Regular strength MONISTAT® 3 is a great option for women who want a less concentrated treatment that provides consistent treatment and relief at moderate dosage levels.

Low dose MONISTAT® 7 is that original formula with smaller, less concentrated doses of the active ingredient evenly distributed throughout the week at bedtime. Only 7-day topical yeast infection treatments are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the treatment of yeast infections in pregnant women and diabetics (consult your healthcare professional).

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