Vaginal Yeast Infections [陰道酵母菌感染]

我為了降低每個月的健康保險費, 我選擇自付額較高 (四千塊美金), 重大疾病/開刀住院的時候有保險給付, 平常小病就自己看著辦, 因為我的掛號費也很高 (45塊美金), 所以我非萬不得已, 我是不會去看醫生的. 我想很多留學生的情況大概也跟我差不多, 所以我把最近遇到的婦科問題分享出來, 希望幫助到需要的人, 不過我強調, 我不是醫生, 我只是分享我的情況, 你不要照單全收, 沒改善還是乖乖去看醫生喔!!!

八九月的灣區氣溫超高 (超過百度華氏), 我每天不是抱著電腦去咖啡廳工作, 就是待在有冷氣的購物中心, 所以整天穿著牛仔褲也不以為意. 有一天私處開始出現沒有味道, 長相很像豆腐渣或是Cottage Cheese的分泌物, 而且癢到我晚上睡不著或者被癢醒 (真的很像牙痛不是病, 痛起來要人命的感覺), 忍耐了幾天, 上網Google了一下, 雖然心裡有數不是要命的急症, 但是還是決定去看醫生治療.

醫生一聽我的敘述, 就說應該是Yeast Infection, 內診後就更加確定了.

3 out of 4 women 在一生中都會起碼經歷過一次陰道酵母菌感染, 一旦感染過, 復發機率就很高, 而且不是只發生在女性, 也有可能發生在嬰兒和男性.  發生的原因有可能是:

• antibiotics (they lower the amount of lactobacillus, or good bacteria, in the vagina)
• pregnancy
• uncontrolled diabetes
• weak immune system
• poor eating habits (being overweight), including a lot of sugary foods
• hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle
• wearing tight-fitting, non-absorbent pants or undergarments that hold in warmth and moisture
• using feminine hygiene sprays, talcs or perfumes in the vaginal area or douching
• stress and/or lack of sleep

Vaginal yeast infections are not sexually transmitted. After having unprotected sex with a partner who has a yeast infection, you may have more than the normal amount of yeast in your vagina. But if after having sex you develop a yeast infection that causes symptoms, it is most likely because other things are also involved.

陰道酵母菌感染的徵兆包括:

• itching, often severe
• burning
• vaginal discharge that is usually white, thick, clumpy, odorless but also can be watery
• pain during sex
• soreness
• rash

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are more likely to occur during the week before a menstrual period.

自我診斷和治療必須在以下情況中才行,

• Are not pregnant.
• Are sure your symptoms are caused by a vaginal yeast infection. If you have never been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection, see your doctor.
• Have not been exposed to asexually transmitted infection (STI), which would require a medical exam.
• Are not having multiple, recurrent infections.

我的情況屬於輕微單純的感染, 醫生給我開的藥是Over-counter (一般藥局就可買到), 三天份的內塞劑 (如下圖).

這整組裡面包括有四包Soothing wipes, 三組Ovule Inserts, 一小條的Itch relief cream.

三組Ovule Inserts 包含三隻管狀和三包內塞藥丸, 每個晚上把內塞藥丸放在管狀上面, 塞進陰道, 像打針方式, 把藥丸推進陰道裡面, 連續三晚

陰道感染光靠外用藥膏沒用, 因為它是因為陰道裡面的好壞細菌不平衡導致, 所以要從裡面下手, 外用藥膏只是暫時止癢.

結果塞了三晚藥完後, 改穿棉質內褲和寬鬆的褲子或裙子後, 就不再有豆腐渣的分泌物, 也不會癢了.