Candida

 

 

 

Candida vaginitis (see vaginal yeast infections) is generally characterized by itching and soreness and may also produce a white, cottage-cheese-like discharge. An estimated 75 percent of all women will have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. Many will suffer from recurring yeast infections, which are most frequent between the ages of 16 and 35. Vaginal yeast infections may cause pain during urination or during sexual intercourse or both.

Yeast, or fungal, infection -- sometimes called candidiasis -- takes many forms. Yeast infections often develop where a moist environment encourages fungal growth, especially on the webs of fingers and toes, nails, genitals and folds of skin. (See Athlete's Foot.) Oral thrush is a painless, often recurrent infection of the mouth and throat; it is common in babies, young children and the elderly, but can affect all ages. Moniliasis is a painful vaginal yeast infection experienced by many women, most commonly during pregnancy or treatment with antibiotics. (See Vaginal Problems.) Balanitis is a less common but equally irritating infection of the penis. Systemic yeast infections can occur in cases of diabetes, AIDS, and other ailments or drug treatments that suppress the immune system.

 

Symptoms

  • Painless white patches in your mouth or throat that may come off when you eat or brush your teeth; this indicates oral thrush, most common in infants, the elderly and AIDS patients.
  • White patches in the mouth and throat, sometimes associated with painful swallowing; these are symptomatic of esophageal thrush, a potential complication of AIDS.
  • Peeling skin on the hands, especially between the fingers, and swollen nail folds above the cuticle; possibly painful, red and containing pus.
  • Itchy or burning shiny, pink rash with a scaly or blistered edge in the folds of the skin. This indicates intertrigo.
  • In women, vaginal itching and irritation; redness and swelling of the vulva; unusually thick, white discharge; and pain during intercourse. These are signs of a vaginal yeast infection, also known as moniliasis.
  • In men, red patches and blisters at the end of the penis and around the foreskin, possibly accompanied by severe itching and pain. These are symptoms of balanitis.

Causes
Candida albicans is a fungal organism, or yeast, that thrives in your mouth, gastrointestinal tract and skin; your body produces bacterial flora that keeps it in check. When fungal growth exceeds the body's ability to control it, yeast
infection develops. This can happen when you are weakened by illness or upset by stress. Modern antibiotics that treat many ailments can actually kill the bacteria that otherwise control fungal outbreaks.

Yeast infections are common among dishwashers and people whose hands are often in water, in children who suck their thumbs or fingers, and in people whose clothing retains body moisture. The diaper rash called candidal dermatitis is caused by yeast growth in the folds of a baby's skin. Diabetics are especially prone to yeast infections because they have high levels of sugar in their blood and urine, and a low resistance to infection -- conditions that encourage yeast growth. In rare cases the candida fungus may invade the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) tube or urinary catheter. If the infection travels to the kidneys, lungs, brain or other organs, it can cause serious systemic complications, but these develop only in people who are seriously ill or who have other health problems that weaken the immune system, such as drug addiction (see Drug Abuse) or diabetes.

Diagnostic and Test Procedures
To diagnose oral thrush, a doctor will examine the white patches and may take a sample for testing. To check for vaginal yeast infection, a doctor may take a vaginal wet smear. If your physician thinks you have a systemic yeast infection, a blood, stool or tissue sample will be tested for the fungus.

Treatment
Treatment will depend on your specific condition, but will focus on counteracting the growth of the yeast organism that causes the infection.

Conventional Medicine
Your doctor will probably treat oral thrush with an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole or ketoconazole. Babies with oral thrush are typically given nystatin with a dropper. Infections of the skin or nails can be treated with topical applications of clotrimazole. For vaginal yeast infection, an over-the-counter topical cream containing miconazole or clotrimazole is typically suggested. If over-the-counter medications are not effective, your doctor may prescribe a cream with terconazole or an oral antifungal drug containing fluconazole. If your doctor determines that you have a systemic yeast infection, you may get intravenous doses of amphotericin or flucytosine.

Prevention

  • If work keeps your hands in water for long periods, wear rubber gloves. When you're done, wash your hands and apply a mild prescription or over-the-counter antifungal cream.
  • Wear cotton or silk underclothes, which, unlike nylon and other synthetics, allow excess moisture to evaporate. Wash and dry your underclothes thoroughly; change them often.

Call Your Doctor If:

  • You have any of the symptoms for the first time; you need a professional evaluation before beginning treatment.
  • The infection does not respond to treatment or recurs; you may have a more serious disorder such as diabetes or an HIV infection (see AIDS).

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

Vulvovaginitis may have an infectious cause, a non-infectious cause or a combination of both. A vaginal swab is usually needed to establish the diagnosis even though Candida albicans is the commonest infectious cause. Treatment of vulvovaginitis may require modification of the vaginal environment. Specific treatment for C. albicans involves inserting an antifungal drug into the vagina when the patient is symptomatic. Patients with recurring infections may need long-term prophylaxis with an oral antifungal drug. The diagnosis must be reviewed if patients do not respond to treatment.

Index words: candidiasis, antifungal drugs.

(Aust Prescr 2001;24:62-4)

Introduction

Candida albicans is the commonest cause of vulvitis and vaginitis. However, it is not the only cause and the clinician must be aware of the common conditions which produce similar symptoms (Table 1). Vaginal swabs and vulval biopsy are the most useful tools for differentiating these conditions.

Table 1
Vulvovaginal inflammatory conditions

More common infections Non-infectious conditions
Fungal Spongiotic disorders (characterised by intraepidermal oedema)
  Candidiasis   Irritant contact dermatitis
  Tinea cruris or versicolor   Allergic contact dermatitis
          Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Viral    
  Herpes simplex Psoriasiform disorders
          Psoriasis
Bacterial   Lichen simplex chronicus
  Gram positive cocci    
    Staphylococcus aureus

 

Lichenoid reactions (epidermal basal layer damage)

      Folliculitis   Lichen sclerosus
      Furuncles   Erosive lichen planus
      Abscess   Erosive vaginitis
    Streptococci   Plasma cell vulvitis
      Erysipelas   Lupus erythematosus
          Drug eruption
  Gram negative cocci    
    Gonococcal vulvovaginitis Vesicobullous disorders
          Including pemphigus, erythema multiforme, pemphigoid, herpes gestationalis and dermatitis herpetiformis
Gram negative bacilli
    Donovanosis    
    Chancroid Granulomatous disorders
        Including Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis
  Spirochaetes    
    Syphilis Vasculopathic disorders
        Including Behcet's disease and urticaria
  Mixed and non-specific    
    Bartholinitis    
         
Parasites    
  Trichomoniasis    
  Pediculosis pubis    
  Scabies    
Note: Bacterial vaginosis (Gardnerella infection) does not produce vaginitis.
  Streptococci and coliforms are not vaginal pathogens

Myths, traps and sexual sequelae

Candida reaches the vagina via oral ingestion. It is not sexually transmitted. It is therefore unnecessary to recommend treatment of the male partner unless he has candidal balanitis or another form of cutaneous candidiasis in the genital area.

C. albicans infection is an oestrogen dependent disorder. It therefore seldom occurs in healthy children, women who are breastfeeding or postmenopausal women unless they are on relatively high doses of oestrogen replacement. The infection almost always occurs within the insensitive vaginal lumen. The resultant 'burning' of the sensitive vulval epithelium is caused by the yeast's metabolites (seldom by infection of the vulval skin). Treatment must be directed to the vaginal source of the infection. Applying antifungal preparations to the vulva will not only be ineffective but will also worsen the contact dermatitis which is a feature of the complaint.

Mixed pathology is common in the vulval area. The commonest combination is vulval dermatitis exacerbated by bouts of candidiasis. Swabbing as often as necessary is the only means of selecting the appropriate treatment. The inappropriate use of antifungal applications can make the dermatitis worse as these products are relatively toxic to genital epithelium.

Candida species other than albicans are being diagnosed with increasing frequency. Examples are Candida glabrata, krusei, parapsilosis and tropicalis. These non-albicans yeasts are relatively non-pathogenic and rarely, if ever, require treatment. This is fortunate, because they are generally resistant to the usual antifungal drugs, and the over-the-counter availability of these treatments is probably why these yeasts are being selected out and appearing more often. This is also why pathologists must identify the species in all cultures positive for Candida.

Any woman who has genital discomfort for longer than, say, six months may develop impairment of sexual arousal. Dyspareunia can result from a combination of coital physical, chemical and biological trauma.

Recurrent candidiasis is an undoubted problem and the vast majority of sufferers are healthy women. I am unaware of any dietary regimen, so-called 'natural products' or lifestyle modification (other than prolongation of breastfeeding) which makes any significant difference to the incidence of this complaint. The vast majority of these patients will not be diabetic. Glucose tolerance testing is indicated in the more difficult cases and always in the postmenopausal woman with C. albicans infection if she is not receiving hormone replacement therapy.

General principles of treatment

Health professionals

The importance of having a vaginal swab taken before starting any treatment needs to be particularly emphasised to the patient. If the patient does not respond as you would expect to your first treatment, stop everything and think again. Is your diagnosis correct? There is no place for the empirical use of vaginal antifungals if the patient does not get a complete and prolonged response to a one week course.

Patients' personal care

Inflamed epithelium is hypersensitive to chemical and physical trauma, therefore special care needs to be taken and only normal saline can be guaranteed safe for washing. Most patients will benefit from avoiding soap and other cleansing agents and bathing the area with normal saline (salt, two teaspoons to the litre) applied with cotton wool and gently patted dry with a soft towel. For the same reason, patients should be advised not to use home remedies, over-the-counter preparations and non-prescribed medication. In the sexually active, the avoidance of artificial lubricants should be discussed.

Treatment of C. albicans infection

Many preparations are effective in the treatment of candidiasis. A vaginal imidazole, inserted nightly for one week, is recommended as the standard treatment for candidal vulvovaginitis.

Treatment of recurrent candidiasis

There is no generally agreed definition of recurrent candidiasis. However, the infection may be deemed recurrent if there is a proven recurrence less than six months after a similar episode has been successfully treated. Unless further measures are undertaken, experience suggests that recurrences, at an unacceptable frequency, are likely.

Laboratory confirmation of each suspected infection is an integral part of the management. The woman should be advised to have a vaginal swab taken whenever she suspects a recurrence.

There are several strategies for the prevention of recurrent infection. One week of a vaginal imidazole is still the treatment of choice when clinical (proven) infection occurs.

Alteration of the vaginal environment

This may be accomplished by a change of contraception to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (which provides oestrogen-free ovulation suppression). For women taking hormone replacement therapy a lower dose of oestrogen can be used.

Long-term vaginal therapy

The nightly insertion of one million units of nystatin in a vaginal cream, tablet or pessary (including during menstruation) can virtually be guaranteed to keep a woman free of candidiasis without producing any significant discharge during the day. This therapy should continue for six months in the more troublesome cases. It is the treatment of choice for pregnant women who have had more than one proven infection during the pregnancy. This prophylaxis should not be stopped until the onset of labour.

Long-term oral therapy

Ketoconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole are effective oral anticandidal drugs available in Australia. They do not attain a concentration in vaginal secretions which is sufficient for them to be recommended as the sole treatment for clinical infection but they are definitely effective for prophylaxis. There is evidence that fluconazole is the most effective and least toxic but, at the usual dosage of 100 mg orally twice weekly (for prophylaxis), the patient will pay almost $40 a week.

Ketoconazole 200 mg orally daily is over 80% effective in preventing recurrences, but reports of hepatotoxicity and occasionally other adverse effects reduce its attractiveness. Sometimes recurrences will occur unless the dosage is raised to 200 mg twice daily. Ketoconazole requires an authority prescription if it is supplied by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Six months continuous treatment is recommended.

Treat each recurrence thoroughly

Many women, given ready access to microbiological diagnosis and safe in the knowledge that they can get rapid treatment for each recurrence, will settle on just that - medication with each proven recurrence. In the event of multiple recurrences I would recommend 14 days continuous use (including during menstruation) of a vaginal imidazole cream and a simultaneous course of ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily for five days. In many cases this regimen will reduce the frequency of recurrences.

What is Candidiasis?

microscopeAlso called a yeast infection, thrush, and moniliasis, candidiasis is a very common cause of vaginitis. It is caused by a yeast-like fungus named Candida albicans. It is not often transmitted sexually, but still is considered an STD in the United States. Virgins can also get it.

Candida albicans is normally present in healthy people in several areas in the body without causing any symptoms. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) in the U.S. decided to classify candidiasis as an STD. Naming it as an STD has caused controversy in the medical community. It has been known to be transmitted sexually, but it requires a particular environment for growth, so it is not often sexually transmitted to the penis. It just doesn't grow well there. It can be transmitted from a female to a male, or from a female to a female from oral-genital sex and can grow in the throat as "thrush".

Causes for the overgrowth of Candida albicans include: antibiotic therapy, which suppresses the normal protective bacteria in the vagina, hormones in the birth control pill, and diabetes, (which increases sugar levels in the vagina and the fungus likes to feed on sugar). Pregnancy hormones can also cause candida when you are pregnant. Food allergies and altered immune states (like AIDS or cancer treatment) may contribute to the overgrowth of Candida.

Symptoms

When candida infects the vagina it results in vaginitis (inflammation) characterized by a large amount of white, cheesy discharge and intense itching and burning on the inside and outside of the vagina. Oral thrush will appear as white sores or patches on the tongue, back of the throat or inside the cheeks. It is very common for people with AIDS to get thrush or candida, BUT this does NOT mean you have AIDS, if you get a yeast infection.

Incubation Period

2 to 5 days.

Treatment

 

Antifungals such as clotrimazole, miconazole, and terconazole are effective in treating candidiasis. These medications are available in the U.S. as OTC (over-the-counter) drugs. If you have never had a yeast infection before, see your health care provider before treating it yourself to make sure that it is indeed a yeast infection. There is also a medication you can take in pill form, but that is usually used for severe cases of candidiasis.

 

The dimorphic fungus Candida albicans lives as a commensal in the vagina of some women. For reasons that are not all clearly understood, Candida albicans can overgrow, resulting in a 'cheesy' vaginal discharge, urethritis and dysuria. One important predisposing factor is the use of antibiotics. About 10% of male consorts develop white plaques on the glans penis, referred to as balanitis. Both partners require antifungal treatment, which can be either oral or topical, with clotrimazole pessaries and creams being a popular method of treatment

Thrush or Candida: Although this is caused by an infection with a yeast, it is not usually passed on through sex. Instead, most women carry the yeast in small amounts all the time. If you become run down or ill, Candida takes over. It usually causes itching and discharge, but in severe cases may also cause pain and bleeding.

 

Thrush (candida albicans)

This causes inflammation of the genital area and has no serious consequences. It may be triggered by diabetes, pregnancy or antibiotics.

Thrush is very common, a white vaginal discharge, soreness and marked irritation. It is not usually sexually transmitted because candida the micro-organism responsible rarely survives on the penis. If a woman is experiencing frequent attacks then her partner will be treated. Treatment is by pessaries or creams. An episode of thrush can be triggered by a course of antibiotics, the friction of intercourse or pregnancy

WHAT IS A YEAST INFECTION?

A yeast infection, also known as Candidiasis (CAN-dih-DYE-uh-sis), is caused by microorganisms called Candida. Candida are normally found in the vagina but can also be found in the mouth, penis, intestinal tract and skin. A yeast infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of candida. Stress, antibiotics, diet, constrictive clothing, and exposure to foreign bodies or substances, such as douches, perfumed toilet paper, deodorant pads and tampons may cause an overgrowth of candida. Other factors such as diabetes, pregnancy, having your period, or immune deficiencies, e.g. HIV, may also cause an overgrowth of candida. Candida may also be transmitted to sexual partners during sexual activity, but this is not as common. Symptoms of a yeast infection include vaginal itching, a white, cottage cheese-type discharge, and burning or pain during sex. Yeast infections are easily curable. It is important to visit a health care provider if you think you have a yeast infection so that the problem can be properly diagnosed and treated.

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HOW DO YOU BECOME INFECTED? (TRANSMISSION)

  • Stress; antibiotics; poor diet; oral contraceptives; douching; non-cotton, damp or tight underpants or clothing; scented hygiene products; menstruation; menopause; pregnancy; diabetes; HIV/AIDS or other immune deficiencies.
  • Vaginal sex with a penis, fingers, or sex toys. Transmission through sex is rare. However, in women who are diagnosed with RVVC (Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis), approximately 20% of male partners are found to have candida in the penis.
  • Yeast from the intestinal tract may be spread to the vagina when wiping after a bowel movement.

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IS IT VERY COMMON?

At some point in their lives most women will be diagnosed with a yeast infection. Many women will have more than one infection during their lifetime. For recurrent yeast infections, it is very important to see a health care professional so it can be treated properly. Self-treating a yeast infection multiple times can create an imbalance in the vagina, causing persistent bacterial and yeast infections. Women experiencing more than five yeast infections a year should visit their health care provider and get tested for candida in the intestinal tract. Vaginal creams will not treat infections located in the intestinal tract. In this case, oral medication may be prescribed by a health care provider.

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Spots on the penis can certainly be due to thrush, but there are many other possible causes. Like any rash, it can only be diagnosed properly if it is examined 'in the flesh' by a doctor (and even then it can be very difficult to tell what it is). So it is essential that your husband gets his doctor to take a look.

Thrush is the name often given to infections with a fungal yeast called Candida. But many people carry Candida yeasts around on their skin without it causing any problems at all.

You may not know you have Candida
It's also very common for women to have some Candida in and around the vagina without even knowing it's there. If conditions in the vagina change, because of hormonal changes at different times in the menstrual cycle or through general changes in immunity, then the yeasts can multiply very quickly. When that happens, a woman may develop symptoms like itching and a vaginal discharge, although some still remain unaware that they have a problem. You can now buy treatments without a prescription in the UK, including creams and pessaries which are put into the vagina, or tablets which you swallow to treat the whole body.

Candida causes allergy problems in men
Men can also get Candida skin infections, especially in the groin area if they constantly get very hot and sweaty. These may include Candida infections of the skin of the penis, known as balanitis. But another common Candida-based problem is a sensitivity to, or type of allergy to the yeast. What usually happens is that the man's partner is carrying Candida in her vagina without knowing it. When they make love, he almost immediately develops a reaction to the Candida which can cause a red, hot, dry, itchy spotty reaction on the skin of the penis.

Other causes of spots or skin rashes in this very delicate area include sexually transmitted diseases, other infections, and allergic reactions to soap powder used to wash underwear. Of course, all the things which cause rashes elsewhere in the body can cause spots on the penis too, like chicken pox and reactions to medicines.

Get it looked at, treat both him and yourself with anti-Candida medicines just in case (you can get these from the pharmacy) - and don't panic about the baby making. If it is Candida, it needn't stop your fun for long.

 

CANDIDA: CLINICAL & MICROBIOLOGICAL CORRELATIONS

As my investigations progressed, I observed that patients who attended my office with a history of vague illness, for which there was no apparent cause, sometimes had Oral Candidosis. It also became apparent to me that there was a correlation between my observations of the stage in the life cycle of Candida & the way the patient felt. When Candida is present in dental plaque, it may be observed in one of three basic forms. Long filaments, called hyphae, are capable of inserting themselves between intact layers of epithelial cells. The presumed purpose is to invade & gain access to deeper structures or the blood stream. Candida converts from this mould stage (the hyphae or tube cells) to the reproductive yeast stage (individual oval cells that 'bud' daughter cells) at 37 degrees Celsius. The available data indicates that in the yeast form there is not only more rapid metabolism but also more rapid release of Candidal toxins. These toxins enter the patient's circulation through the blood capilliaries in the gingivae (gums). The return to hyphae must be preceded by cooling of the tissue at the site of infection. (In the laboratory, 37 degrees is critical in governing the change from hyphae to buds & back again.) The critical temperature in the laboratory is not necessarily the same in the mouth, but there is no data, yet, to indicate otherwise.

The bud stage only lasts two to three days & is followed by the buds elongating to become short cells, joined end to end, to form pseudohyphae. The pseudohyphae are found mixed with buds. Two or three days more sees the mix changed to pseudohyphae plus long branching filaments, the true hyphae. Another two or three days sees the mix as pure hyphae, with fat blunt ends. There follows the appearance of hyphae which are very slender, tapering to a sharp point. These sharp hyphae may sometimes be seen penetrating between individual epithelial cells which may have dislodged in a clump when the plaque was taken. This stage is then followed by the appearance of many budding yeast cells again. The entire cycle takes about ten days in an average individual.

If the environment becomes unfavourable for Candida it produces chlamydospores: these are observed as a thick walled cell which looks like a swelling at the end of a pseudohypha, or between two of the segments of the pseudohypha. Chlamydospores should not be mistaken for buds since they do not represent increased metabolism. They are a resistant stage that is formed if the environment becomes inhospitable. When fungi experience difficulty in surviving in the present habitat they produce resistant forms, or 'spores' in order to spread more easily to a distant (i.e. more fertile) habitat. Often spores are produced sexually. Recently it has been shown that yeasts do have a sexually reproductive stage. Chlamydospores are now held to be the result of the union of a positive with a negative filament (a sort of sexual union). This may produce a new genetic variant more capable of survival. Chlamydospores may be a disseminating form, i.e. an infective stage.

The clinically significant feature that I observed is that when patients are most fatigued, morose, unenergetic or depressed, Candida in the plaque is observed to be in the bud form. When patients are at their most energetic, Candida is observed to be in the hypha form, with or without chlamydospores. Knowing the cyclical nature of Candida, it is then possible to observe it in the plaque & relate it's stage to the feeling of fatigue or energy of an individual with a fair degree of accuracy. This is a valuable diagnostic test to determine if Candida has established to the point that the infection has started to disturb the health.

 

Getting Rid of Yeast Infections

by Judith Levine Willis

It's an itchy feeling you might hardly notice at first.

Maybe, you muse, it's just that your jeans are too tight.

Actually, tight jeans may have something to do with it. But if the itch keeps getting itchier, even when your jeans have been off for awhile, then there's something else involved.

That something else could very well be a fungus whose technical name is Candida, and which causes what is often called a "yeast" infection. Such infections are most common in teenage girls and women aged 16 to 35, although they can occur in girls as young as 10 or 11 and in older women (and less often, in men and boys as well). You do not have to be sexually active to get a yeast infection.

The Food and Drug Administration now allows medicines that used to be prescription-only to be sold without a prescription to treat vaginal yeast infections that keep coming back. But before you run out and buy one, if you've never been treated for a yeast infection you should see a doctor. Your doctor may advise you to use one of the over-the-counter products or may prescribe a drug called Diflucan (fluconazole). FDA recently approved the drug, a tablet taken by mouth, for clearing up yeast infections with just one dose.

Though itchiness is a main symptom of yeast infections, if you've never had one before, it's hard to be sure just what's causing your discomfort. After a doctor makes a diagnosis of vaginal yeast infection, if you should have one again, you can more easily recognize the symptoms that make it different from similar problems. If you have any doubts, though, you should contact your doctor.

In addition to intense itching, another symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is a white curdy or thick discharge that is mostly odorless. Although some women have discharges midway between their menstrual periods, these are usually not yeast infections, especially if there's no itching.

Other symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:

  • soreness
  • rash on outer lips of the vagina
  • burning, especially during urination.
It's important to remember that not all girls and women experience all these symptoms, and if intense itching is not present it's probably something else.

Candida is a fungus often present in the human body. It only causes problems when there's too much of it. Then infections can occur not only in the vagina but in other parts of the body as well--and in both sexes. Though there are four different types of Candida that can cause these infections, nearly 80 percent are caused by a variety called Candida albicans.

Many Causes

The biggest cause of Candida infections is lowered immunity. This can happen when you get run down from doing too much and not getting enough rest. Or it can happen as a result of illness.

Though not usual, repeated yeast infections, especially if they don't clear up with proper treatment, may sometimes be the first sign that a woman is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

FDA requires that over-the-counter (OTC) products to treat yeast infections carry the following warning:

"If you experience vaginal yeast infections frequently (they recur within a two-month period) or if you have vaginal yeast infections that do not clear up easily with proper treatment, you should see your doctor promptly to determine the cause and receive proper medical care."

Repeated yeast infections can also be caused by other, less serious, illnesses or physical and mental stress. Other causes include:

  • use of antibiotics and some other medications, including birth control pills
  • significant change in the diet
  • poor nutrition
  • diabetes
  • pregnancy.
Some women get mild yeast infections towards the end of their menstrual periods, possibly in response to the body's hormonal changes. These mild infections sometimes go away without treatment as the menstrual cycle progresses. Pregnant women are also more prone to develop yeast infections.

Sometimes hot, humid weather can make it easier for yeast infections to develop. And wearing layers of clothing in the winter that make you too warm indoors can also increase the likelihood of infection.

"Candida infections are not usually thought of as sexually transmitted diseases," says Renata Albrecht, M.D., of FDA's division of anti-infective drug products. But, she adds, they can be transmitted during sex.

The best way not to have to worry about getting yeast infections this way is not to have sex. But if you do have sex, using a condom will help prevent transmission of yeast infections, just as it helps prevent transmission of more commonly sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection, and helps prevent pregnancy. Teens should always use a latex condom if they have sex, even if they are also using other forms of birth control. (See "On the Teen Scene: Preventing STDs" in the June 1993 FDA Consumer.)

If one partner has a yeast infection, the other partner should also be treated for it. A man is less likely than a woman to be aware of having a yeast infection because he may not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include a moist, white, scaling rash on the penis, and itchiness or redness under the foreskin. As with females, lowered immunity, rather than sexual transmission, is the most frequent cause of genital yeast infections in males.

OTC Products

The OTC products for vaginal yeast infections have one of four active ingredients: butoconazole nitrate (Femstat 3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin and others), miconazole (Monistat 7 and others), and tioconazole (Vagistat). These drugs are in the same anti-fungal family and work in similar ways to break down the cell wall of the Candida organism until it dissolves. FDA approved the switch of Femstat 3 from prescription to OTC status December 1996 and a similar switch for Vagistat in February 1997. The others have been available OTC for a few years.

When you visit the doctor the first time you have a yeast infection, you can ask which product may be best for you and discuss the advantages of the different forms the products come in: vaginal suppositories (inserts) and creams with special applicators. Remember to read the warnings on the product's labeling carefully and follow the directions.

Symptoms usually improve within a few days, but it's important to continue using the medication for the number of days directed, even if you no longer have symptoms.

Contact your doctor if you have the following:

  • abdominal pain, fever, or a foul-smelling discharge
  • no improvement within three days
  • symptoms that recur within two months.
OTC products are only for vaginal yeast infections. They should not be used by men or for yeast infections in other areas of the body, such as the mouth or under the fingernails.

Candida infections in the mouth are often called "thrush." Symptoms include creamy white patches that cover painful areas in the mouth, throat, or on the tongue. Because other infections cause similar symptoms, it's important to go to a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Wearing artificial fingernails increases the chance of getting yeast infections under the natural fingernails. Fungal infections start in the space between the artificial and natural nails, which become discolored. Treatment for these types of infections--as well as those that occur in other skin folds, such as underarms or between toes--require different products, most of which are available only with a doctor's prescription.

Knowing the causes and symptoms of yeast infections can help you take steps--such as giving those tight jeans a rest--to greatly reduce the chances of getting an infection.

And, if sometimes prevention isn't enough, help is easily at hand from your doctor and pharmacy.

Judith Levine Willis is editor of FDA Consumer.

 


How to Avoid Infection

Here are some steps young women can take to make vaginal yeast infections less likely:
  • Wear loose, natural-fiber clothing and underwear with a cotton crotch.
  • Limit wearing of panty hose, tights, leggings, nylon underwear, and tight jeans.
  • Don't use deodorant tampons and feminine deodorant sprays, especially if you feel an infection beginning.
  • Dry off quickly and thoroughly after bathing and swimming--don't stay in a wet swimsuit for hours.
  • It's better not to have sex in your teens, but if you're sexually active, always use a latex condom.

 

 

 

Sites by Individuals

  • Here's a page that compares candida symptoms with gluten intolerance symptoms. You will find that they are very similar! Here's a list of links on The Gluten-Free Page.

     

  • Rennie Taylor has summarized three levels of the Candida diet as found in The Nutrition Detective by Nan Fuchs.

     

  • Jann Weiss has written a 27K compendium extrapolated from books on Candida, Allergies, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Gluten Intolerance, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Diet, as relates to alternative/complementary considerations in dealing with these problems.

     

  • Jann Weiss reports on the connection of Candida Albicans to the aldehyde detox pathway and the therapeutic use of Molybdenum, a mineral supplement that activates the enzymes that metabolize nitrogen, sulfite, and some aldehydes.

     

  • Here is a page with annotated links to other pages on The Paleolithic Diet. Sometimes calle the hunter/gatherer diet, this pre-agricultural diet is where our digestive systems have evolved to. It is very similar to the Candida diet.

     

  • JoAnn Betten of the PaleoFood mailing list has collected many recipes. All have no grains, no gluten, no dairy. no beans/legumes, no refined sugar, or other Neolithic foods. Most would be acceptable for people on a Candida Diet.

     

  • Judy Bayliss, the listowner of the Yeast-L mailing list, has a site on Candida Albicans. It has Dr. Crook's questionnaire, foods to avoid, information on the mailing list, book list, and more.

     

  • Why is Gluten Excluded in Candida Diets? is an article by Ron Hoggan. Here is the menu of all of his Articles.

     

  • Aleksandar Ivanovic has developed a Candida FAQ. Very organized and comprehensive guide to resources. Tries to cover various topics of interest for newcomers.

     

  • Karen Tripp: Candida Recovery is a page on how she recovered from candida and did it on a 40 day program from a naturopathic doctor in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

     

  • Frank Jenner's site Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - One Man's Recovery also contains a lot of good information about Candida, testing, etc.

     

  • Dusan Stojkovic has a page In Sugar We Trust which points out the negatives of sweetener consumption. Also see Candida - Candidaisis Homepage. Also has info on bowel cleansing.

     

  • CANDIDA and the ANTIBIOTIC SYNDROME by Walter Last gives some history and ends with some alternative suggestions.

     

  • Miryam Williamson has a page on a Yeast Elimination Diet adapted from The Yeast Syndrome.

     

  • Candida and Probiotics by Chris Gregerson has information on the potential use of probiotic bacteria to prevent or treat gastrointestinal candida infection. Mostly articles from peer-reviewed journals.

     

  • Candida News from Richard Cannon of the University of Otago in New Zealand. Has long list of Candida albicans references.

     

  • Angela has a Candida page. Mostly alternative links.

     

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Educational Institutions/Government

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Associations/Organizations

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Commercial Sites

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Testing

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Books

  • Gail Burton has written two books on Candida Self-Help. Candida, The Silent Epidemic: Vital Information to Detect, Combat and Prevent Yeast Infections and The Candida Control Cookbook: What You Should Know and What You Should Eat to Manage Yeast Infections. You can order from the site.

     

  • The Candida Diet is a book with a collection of recipes and other tools compiled by a doctor with a success record in dealing with Candida. Also video tapes and a downloadable version of the book.

     

  • Professor Steven Rochlitz has www.wellatlast.com where he sells a book: "Allergies and Candida." In it learn how 80-90% of "Candida" is really protozoan parasitosis. Learn how parasites and viruses make the body PERMEABLE causing food and chemical allergies and all the subsequent symptoms.

     

  • Ray Audette has a web site for his book NeanderThin. A description of the book, with a complete bibliography. Has a paleolithic diet that cuts out grains, beans, potatoes, milk and refined sugars. See Amazon.com for the new edition. Also see reviews on the out-of-print edition.

     

  • At Amazon.com you can do a search on Candida. More than 100 books will be found. You can also search on yeast and even more, some extraneous, will be found.

     

  • Lynne Fitzgerald has written Miracle Recipes. All recipes are yeast-free and sugar-free. You can buy the book at the site.

     

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Net Mailing List/Forum

  • There is a mailing list dedicated to yeast, fungus and candida at: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu. To join, send a message to the Listserv with SUB YEAST-L your name in the body of the message. Or you can subscribe to it here.

     

  • Kelly Nowicki has a Candida web based forum. Plenty of activity. Includes article and archives put up by forum members. See links in upper right.

     

  • On Yahoo Groups there is a Candidiasis list. See page for details of what is discussed and also log in and see the list's archives.

     

  • Autism Mold & Fungal Research is a Yahoo group where you can communicate with other parents and professionals who are researching the link between mold, fungus and mycotoxins and its correlation to Autism.

 

Vaginal discharge

quick check table
what's normal
abnormal discharge
possible causes
treatment
tests that may be needed

Quick-check table
Type of discharge
Possible causes
Thick and white Normal in some women
Thrush (Candida infection)
Itchy Thrush (Candida infection)

Trichomoniasis
Smelly Bacterial vaginosis (see itchiness in the vulval section)

Trichomoniasis
Gonorrhoea
Forgotten tampon

What's normal
It's normal to have some vaginal discharge, as the vagina stays moist as part of its self-cleansing mechanism. The normal moist discharge clears dead cells and bacteria from the vagina. It comes mainly from glands in the cervix (the neck of the womb), and is slightly acidic, which helps to keep infections at bay. The acidity results from lactic acid, formed by 'friendly' bacteria as they break down sugars.

The amount of normal discharge varies from woman to woman, and with the menstrual cycle. Many women notice that during the week after a period there is hardly any discharge, and what there is has a thick consistency. Towards the middle of the cycle (about 2 weeks after the start of a period) the amount increases and it becomes thin, slippery and clear, like uncooked egg white. When this discharge is exposed to the air it becomes brownish-yellow, so it is normal to find a yellowish stain on your undies at the middle of the monthly cycle. There may also be a feeling of moistness and stickiness.

Discharge also increases during pregnancy. And during sexual excitement, vaginal discharge becomes very profuse because two glands near the vaginal opening (the Bartholin's glands) secrete additional slippery mucus, which acts as a lubricant for intercourse.

Abnormal discharge
Normal discharge doesn't smell, and does not cause any irritation or itching. A discharge is likely to be abnormal if:

  • it smells fishy
  • it's thick and white, like cottage cheese
  • it's greenish and smells foul
  • there's blood in it (except when you have a period)
  • it's itchy
  • you have any genital sores or ulcers
  • you have abdominal pain or pain on intercourse
  • it started soon after you had unprotected sex with someone you suspect could have a sexually transmitted disease.

Possible causes

Don't assume that a discharge is necessarily due to thrush; bacterial vaginosis is more common. This gives a fishy-smelling discharge - it's described in detail in the section on vulval problems.

Thrush

What is thrush?
Thrush is caused by the yeast Candida albicans. About 1 woman in 5 has Candida in her vagina without it causing any symptoms. Hormones in the vaginal secretions and the 'friendly' vaginal bacteria keep it at bay. Problems arise when this natural balance is upset, and the Candida multiply. This can happen:

  • during pregnancy
  • when you take antibiotics (because these get rid of the friendly bacteria)
  • if you have diabetes, especially if your blood sugar levels are consistently too high
  • if you wear tight, non-porous underwear, such as nylon knickers and tights (because Candida thrives in warm, moist conditions)
  • if the vulva or vagina is sore for any other reason, particularly if you scratch (because damaged tissue is more susceptible to Candida)
  • if you are ill for any reason
  • if you are taking any drugs, such as steroids, which lower the body's resistance to infection

True or false? (Myths about thrush)

The contraceptive pill causes thrush
Probably false. Doctors are still arguing about this, but there is very little evidence for it.

Thrush is always sexually transmitted
False. Women who are not sexually active can suffer from thrush. The Candida yeasts are already in the vagina, and they cause thrush when the body's natural balance that keeps it under control is upset.

Thrush always causes a discharge
False. Itching is the usual symptom of thrush - there is often no discharge at all, or just a slight discharge.

Thrush is very smelly
False. If there is an odour, it is minimal and not unpleasant.

Thrush can be prevented by douching the vagina
Very definitely false. Douching is squirting a soapy or antiseptic solution into the vagina to 'cleanse' it. There is no need to do this, because the vagina cleans itself very efficiently. In fact, douching has the opposite effect; it destroys the 'friendly' bacteria, gets rid of the healthy acidity and damages the lining, allowing thrush and other infections to take hold easily.

Treating thrush

Forgotten tampons
'Lost' tampons are quite a common cause of discharge. It is easy to forget to remove the last tampon at the end of a period. After a week or two, the tampon begins to fester, and there will be a foul-smelling discharge.

If you have an old tampon in place, remove it as soon as possible. If your discharge continues for more than a couple of days, see your doctor or visit a genito-urinary medicine clinic.


Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is one of the most infectious sexually transmitted diseases. If a woman has unprotected sex with a man who has it, she has a 60-90% chance of catching it. It's a serious infection caused by the Gonococcus bacterium. It's serious because if it isn't treated, it can spread upwards to the Fallopian tubes, and cause infertility. About one-fifth of women with gonorrhoea have a foul-smelling, greenish-yellow discharge. About one-fifth have vague symptoms, such as a slight increase in discharge, pain on intercourse or lower abdominal discomfort. About one-fifth have no symptoms at all. (Most men with gonorrhoea notice an obvious discharge.)

Trichomoniasis
This is caused by a tiny amoeba-like (protozoan) organism called Trichomonas vaginalis. It used to be common, but for mysterious reasons is becoming less so; over the last 10 years the number of cases in England and Wales has fallen from 17 000/year to 5000/year. It causes a discharge that is often frothy and yellowish-greenish, but it may be thin and scanty. The discharge is smelly, and the vulva is often sore. It may also be painful to pass urine. It is caught from a man who has it, but he may be unaware of his condition as most men with trichomoniasis don't have any symptoms. It's not dangerous, though some doctors think it could possibly spread to the Fallopian tubes.

Treatment

General advice
For any vaginal problem, you must take care to avoid substances that may cause more irritation. These are the same as those that can cause vulval irritation, so look at the common-sense steps listed in that section.

During a period, change tampons or sanitary pads frequently (at least two or three times a day), and don't use tampons when it isn't your period.

Ask your partner to go to a clinic for a check-up if your doctor advises he does so, or if he has any discharge from the urethra (the opening at the end of the penis) or any soreness or irritation of the penis.

Don't have sex until the problem has been sorted out.

If you think you have thrush
If your discharge is thick and white and itchy it may be thrush, so you could try an anti-thrush cream or tablet from a pharmacist. If your discharge has a different colour and/or is foul-smelling, you should go to a genito-urinary medicine clinic for a check-up. These clinics can do on-the-spot tests for most of the causes of vaginal discharge, and you can attend without a referral from your GP.

Even if you are fairly sure it is thrush, don't persist with an anti-thrush cream from the pharmacist if it doesn't resolve the problem in a day or two, or if the discharge returns. See your doctor or go to a clinic to get a proper diagnosis.

Other conditions
Each cause of vaginal discharge has its own proper treatment, which could be a cream or tablet, and it's important to follow the treatment instructions from your doctor or the clinic very carefully. If you're asked to return for another check-up, it's important that you do so, even if the discharge has gone. The clinic may be checking for gonorrhoea, which can damage your Fallopian tubes and infect a future sexual partner without you having any further symptoms.

Tests that may be needed
A doctor will look at the vulva for any signs of thrush, and will then insert a metal device called a speculum into the vagina, in order to look at your vagina. Samples of the discharge can be taken by wiping with cotton-wool swabs. A family physician will usually have to send the swabs to a laboratory, so it may be some days before the result is available.

A genito-urinary medicine clinic can look at the samples under the microscope straight away, and can usually tell you the diagnosis within half an hour, though they are also sent to the main laboratory for confirmation. Don't be surprised if you see the doctor or nurse testing the acidity of the discharge with litmus paper, or mixing some of it with a liquid (potassium hydroxide) on a glass slide and then sniffing it; these are standard tests for bacterial vaginosis.

[ back to Vaginal Problems main page ]

What is yeast?

Yeast vaginitis is an "infection" caused by a fungus called Candida that is a normal inhabitant of the rectum and the vagina. It is one of the most common vaginal infections. Symptoms develop when large numbers of these Candida organisms are present in the vagina. This "overgrowth" can occur spontaneously either without identifiable cause or in association with the use of birth control pills, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, or antibiotic therapy. Candida infections often cause symptoms during the week preceding a menstrual period.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of a yeast infection are vaginal itching and burning which are often worse at night. There may be a thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge that has no odor. The vagina can feel dry and raw, and intercourse may be painful. A male partner of a woman with a yeast overgrowth occasionally will develop redness and soreness of the penis. Yeast vaginitis, however, is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, and women who have never been sexually active can develop a yeast infection. These infections do not involve the fallopian tubes or uterus, and therefore do not interfere with fertility.

How is yeast diagnosed?

Yeast vaginitis can be diagnosed by taking some of the discharge from your vagina and viewing it under the microscope. The discharge also can be cultured. These tests are most accurate when a woman has not douched or used any vaginal medication for at least 48 hours.

How is yeast treated?

Yeast infections are usually treated with an antifungal vaginal cream or suppository, available either by prescription or over the counter (OTC). A prescription oral medication is also available but we often prefer to use the creams or suppositories. Most of the medications must be used for 3 to 7 nights to cure the infection. Although symptoms may go away before completing the treatment, it is important to finish all the medication recommended on the package or by your clinician to cure the infection. The OTC medications now available for treating yeast infections are effective for only those infections caused by Candida. Organisms other than Candida (including those involved in several serious sexually transmitted diseases) can produce similar symptoms. Therefore it is important for you to have had at least one yeast infection that has been diagnosed by a health care provider before you treat your symptoms with an OTC product so you will know what your symptoms of yeast infection are. It also is important either to have an up-to-date screening for sexually transmitted diseases or to obtain one for yourself and your most recent new sexual partner.

Douching should never be done as douching may carry any infection deeper into the body. Do not use tampons while you are using the yeast medication as the tampon may absorb the medication and make it less effective.

How can I prevent or decrease my chances of getting a yeast infection?

Careful personal hygiene is helpful. Keep the genital area dry, clean, and cool. Wear loose fitting cotton underclothing. Avoid wearing pantyhose, tight jeans or pants, and wet bathing suits and damp gym clothing.Do not use deodorant or perfumed soaps, feminine hygienesprays or deodorants, bath oils or salts, or scented sanitary pads or tampons. Wipe from front to rear (away from the vagina) after a bowel movement.

Are sexual partners treated?

Partners of women with recurrent yeast infections might chose to speak with their clinician about having their sexual partner(s) also evaluated.

Can I have intercourse?

Although intercourse is not dangerous during the treatment of a yeast infection, abstinence is advised. Intercourse can irritate vaginal tissue and increase inflammation and soreness. If you use a barrier method of birth control, it is important to know that yeast creams or suppositories may be oil based and can weaken diaphragms, cervical caps and latex condoms.

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ATTENTION CANDIDA YEAST and CHRONIC FATIGUE SUFFERERS

A Candida Yeast Infection, both digestive and systemic, is a social and medical dilemma without easy access to answers or remedies of permanence. Literally millions of men and women have a potential yeast infection that is causing, directly or indirectly, a significant number of existing health problems or conditions. If it is not completely removed and/or the body protected, it will continue to grow and will reduce your resistance to a host of physical aliments and complications.

 

The devastation and discomforts that await the body because of this insidious and tenacious parasite is immeasurable and in most cases the means of its removal or control is inadequate. Going from doctor to doctor and product to product is not the answer. It requires special attention and knowledge to overcome a serious to severe yeast infection and the following information will introduce you to a "Candida Yeast Answer Program" that definitely has the advantage of complete and permanent removal of most Candida Yeast conditions.

If you have a yeast overgrowth, or if you know of others who are bothered or incapacitated by the presence of a yeast infection, then please read the enclosed information and/or give to those who you feel may benefit. This particular program is remarkably effective and you will find a thorough and scientific explanation that promises and end to a rather difficult situation.

CANDIDA DESTROYS YOUR HEALTH

Candidasis is a major contributing factor to he cause of:
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Immune Weakness
  • Allergies
  • Systemic Degeneration

Candida Albicans is negative YEAST INFECTION that begins in the digestive system and little by little spreads to other parts of the body. It is a strong, invasive parasite that attaches itself to the intestinal wall and becomes a permanent resident of your internal organs. It is causing numerous health problems and discomfort for over 30 million men and women every day and it is estimated that nearly everyone has or will have a moderate to serious Candida condition eventually in their lives.

A yeast cell produces over 75 known toxic substances that negatively poisons the human body. These toxins contaminate the tissues where it weakens the immune system, the glands, the kidneys, bladder, lungs, liver and especially the brain and nervous system. Candida yeast can become so massive and invasive that is enters the FUNGAL form where it provides very long, root-like structures that penetrate the mucous lining of the gastrointestinal wall. This penetration breaks down the protective barrier between the intestinal tract and bloodstream, allowing many foreign and toxic substances to enter and pollute the body systemically. As a result, proteins and other food wastes that are not completely digested or eliminated can assault the immune system and cause tremendous allergic reactions, fatigue and many other health problems. It also allows the Candida itself and bacteria to enter the bloodstream, from which it may find its way to other tissues, resulting in far-ranging effects such as soreness of the joints, chest pain, sinus and skin problems, etc. An autopsy done on a lady who had died of heart failure for no apparent reason, found that her heart was encased with Candida yeast. Vaginal yeast infections are more prevalent today than ever, and they will never completely go away until the yeast has been cleared from the intestinal area. To make matters worse, Candida can be sexually transmitted from one person to another.

Candida covers the intestinal wall which chemically and mechanically interferes with digestion and assimilation of food nutrients. Many people, especially senior citizens, cancer victims and those with AIDS are wasting away for want of nutrition because they cannot absorb what they eat. Many people digest less than 50% of their food because the Candida creates a digestive conflict and robs them of their nutrition. Candida creates chaos in the intestines and diseases of which the doctors have little or no answer and can use only medicines to treat it. ALL IMMUNOLOGICAL WEAKNESSES AND INFECTIOUS CONDITIONS are made worse by the presence of Candida throughout the body.

The major waste product of yeast cell activity is acetaidehyde and the by-product ethanol. Many people have a low iron content because this mineral is hard to absorb when Candida is present, and therefore have little oxygen in the tissues. Ethanol can cause excessive fatigue and reduces the strength and stamina which takes away ambition. It destroys enzymes needed for cell energy and causes the release of free radicals that encourages the aging process.

Candida Albicans in an incredible destroyer of health and is the main missing link in many of our modern day diseases and sub-health conditions. The fact that Candida can rob the body of its nutrition and poison the tissues with it toxins is a major contribution, directly or indirectly to the following list of serious conditions:

 

The majority of people who have Candida do not realize they have it until become seriously ill. The symptoms are so numerous and seemingly unrelated that is is very perplexing to both doctor and patient. Candida itself is totally preventable and if you have this condition, there is a special way in which it can be completely and permanently eliminated. The CANDIDA WELLNESS CENTER in Provo, Utah is now offering this amazing discovery in a specific and personalized CANDIDA WELLNESS PROGRAM that is now available in booklet form. It describes in detail How to overcome a moderate to serious Candida Yeast Overgrowth completely and permanently within a given period of time depending on its severity. By using a concentrated natural method, it kills the Candida and continues to prevent its growth from then on. It is simple and easy program to follow with proper instructions and a thorough explanation as to what Candida is, how it got there and how to get rid of it. The presence of Candida and what it does to the body is common knowledge with health practitioners, but how to get rid of it is a guessing game and not understood by most doctors. This is a remarkable anti-fungal program that overcomes Candida in a more reliable and permanent manner. If you can remove this parasite from your body using a natural approach, you will also remove all the negative effects and symptoms along with it. This program will significantly improve your digestion and all associated weaknesses including bloating, constipation, ulcers, colitis, colon problems, gas, chronic fatigue, aches and pains and many kinds of subtle and nagging health problems. Even acute infections such as the common cold, Epstein Bar Virus, bladder infections, skin eruptions, etc. can be prevented or significantly improved. It will especially take the stress off of the immune system, the glands and the nervous system. Reproductive organ problems which can have their roots in a Candida Yeast infection may eventually disappear. Many negative conditions may slowly go way with this incredible technique and it can help increase food assimilation by as much as 50%. It is so impressive that people are calling constantly just to reserve their personal copy, because their family and friends speak so highly of their success through this special program.

PROGRAM IS EASY AND SIMPLE TO FOLLOW


The CANDIDA WELLNESS PROGRAM is very easy and simple to follow, is professionally prepared and highly informative. Experience has shown that if you do not successfully remove 95% of all the Candida, it will come back. Proper instruction and complete removal is important for success. You cannot hurry, the elimination of Candida and time is a requirement. This incredible program works exceptionally well and it accomplishes the goal better with less die-off effect. Diet suggestions are emphasized and other valuable information that will help the process of killing the Candida and improving your health will be outlined. It is the most current and scientifically advanced program available.

The "Candida Yeast Answer" Wellness Program is a complete, natural form of therapy without the use of drugs or harsh medicines and is endorsed and developed by Medical Specialists and Research scientists in the field of Candida Parasitology and Pro-biotics.
Because of our intense interest in helping others this professional bound "Booklet" that contains all the program information and instructions will be sent to you upon your request absolutely "Free" without charge, because it is the missing link to a very negative condition.

 

Please leave your name and address by completing the form below or call 800-869-1614 and we will send you immediately a free copy of the Candida Yeast Answer Program." It is a 40 page, 8 � X 11 manuscript of highly effective information, and it is condensed, extremely interesting and contains many secrets pertaining to health and longer life. This knowledge is a vital key to your success and in order to remove the Candida from your body completely and permanently, a thorough understanding of its concepts and details is essential. The professional in-home program is safe, natural, and highly rewarding for those with serious to severe Candida symptoms. The progressive and permanent results of this Candida Yeast Program will surely bring you "freedom" from the pain and discomfort of this terrible condition.

 

Interested on our products?  Please see our Business Opportunities 

As Fix-it is a herbal product that is not regulated by the FDA we are required to say that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose or cure any disease. The information contained herein is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.