Few things are more annoying than a vaginal infection. They’re itchy and uncomfortable. Many women find that they have more vaginal infections (also called vaginitis) once they get diabetes. Yeast and the other bacteria that cause these infections thrive in sweet, moist, and warm places. High blood glucose provide a friendly place for bacteria to grow. When the blood glucose is high, additional sugar is available for food, so the yeast multiplies rapidly into overgrowth. Sugar and yeast infections have such a direct relationship to diabetes that healthcare providers should check for diabetes when women come to them with recurrent yeast infections. If you have never been diagnosed with a yeast infection, but you experience symptoms, you should check with your doctor before treating it with an over-the-counter medication. Yeast or other vaginal infections can happen to women regardless of their age, sexual activity or hygiene. They occur more often after menopause because estrogen levels are lower. Estrogen helps to protect the vaginal lining. Infections are also more likely to occur just before your period, during pregnancy, or after you take antibiotics.
Signs of a vaginal infection include:
- Vaginal itching and burning
- Thick, white discharge
- Redness and tenderness
- Painful intercourse
You can buy antifungal products to treat yeast infections without a prescription. These come as creams or suppositories that are placed directly into the vagina, usually at night. The type and strength of the product determines how long you will need to use the medicine. Some work in one day, while others need to be used for longer. Your Walgreens pharmacist can help you choose one that will work for you. It is important that you follow the directions exactly for how to use the product. Be sure to use it for the entire time, even if your infection seems better. Even though it may seem to be gone sooner, the infection is more likely to return if the treatment is not completed. If your infection is not better at the end of the time for the product you are using, or it comes back right away, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider or gynecologist. They can prescribe stronger medications. Using a condom during sexual intercourse while you have the infection may help to prevent it from reoccurring. Keeping your blood glucose close to your target range can help to prevent infections in the future. Avoiding tight fitting underwear and panty hose and irritating products, such as bubble bath and douches, may also help to prevent infections for some women. Vaginal infections are annoying and can be painful, but they usually respond quickly to treatment. Although it may be tempting to ignore the infections or wait for them to go away, they can become more serious if not treated. Don’t self-diagnose - check with your doctor, especially if you experience a foul-smelling, discolored discharge. And remember, you can find relief in your Walgreens pharmacy with the many products that are now available to treat these infections.
Q: How effective are the different options for yeast infections?
A: The success rates are probably on the order of 85-90% success, for both pills and creams.
Q: Do yeast infections in women with diabetes take longer to treat in some cases?
A: There are one-day therapies, three-day therapies, seven-day or fourteen-day therapies. And usually, patients with diabetes need the longer therapy, not the shorter.
