Women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop vaginal yeast infections. It’s one of the lesser known diabetes complications – and one that can be tough to talk about. But it’s a good idea to learn how and why it happens, so that infections can be dealt with promptly, or prevented in the first place.
Why Diabetes Helps Cause Yeast Infections
According to Everyday Health, vaginal yeast infections are primarily caused by the overgrowth of a microscopic yeast, Candida albicans.
It’s natural to have these tiny organisms living in and on our bodies. Candida albicans can be found within the gut and mouth of many healthy adults, and in the vagina of about 20 percent of adult women, and is usually harmless. But too much growth can turn into an uncomfortable (and occasionally dangerous) problem.
Most of the time our body effectively keeps the growth of Candida yeast in check, but diabetes throws the equilibrium out of whack in several ways.
First, high blood sugar levels also increase the sugar concentrations in other bodily fluids, including the mucus that lines the vagina and vulva. Because yeast and other fungi thrive on sugar, this makes the diabetic body an unusually hospitable place for these microorganisms. Second, people with diabetes often have compromised immune systems and a reduced ability to fight off infections once they’ve taken hold.
Of course, diabetes is not by any means the sole cause of yeast infections, and people with well-controlled blood sugar can develop yeast infections, too. Various medical treatments can make yeast infections more likely, as can pregnancy and sexual activity, but they can happen to anyone. It is believed that a majority of women will experience at least one yeast infection during their lifetime.
People with diabetes are prone to several other types of fungal infections, by the way, for the same reasons, including athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and oral thrush, which is also caused by Candida albicans.
Diagnosing Yeast Infections
It’s important for people with diabetes to identify and treat yeast infections promptly, because of the body’s less-effective defenses against infection.
Vaginal yeast infections can result in multiple uncomfortable symptoms:
- Moist red rash and/or swelling
- Itchiness
- White vaginal discharge, sometimes compared to cottage cheese
- Tiny blisters and scales
- Pain, discomfort, or burning feeling while urinating or during sexual intercourse
Symptoms may be mild at first, hardly noticeable. Early application of an over-the-counter antifungal treatment can be effective, but people with diabetes may be wise to seek a doctor sooner rather than later.
Vaginal yeast infections should not be self-diagnosed. The same symptoms can be caused by unrelated and potentially dangerous conditions, and self-misdiagnosis is common. A doctor will want to confirm that vaginal discharge is full of Candida before recommending treatment.
If you are experiencing more extreme symptoms such as fever, blood in your urine, excruciating pain, or yellow discharge, it is cause for immediate attention.
Treatment
Whether you have diabetes or not, the treatment of yeast infections is the same.
Over-the-counter treatments work well, and can effectively treat many mild yeast infections without the need for prescription medication. These include antifungal creams, such as Vagisil, and suppositories, such as Monistat.
If the infection doesn’t get better, or even if it keeps coming back, it’s time to see a doctor, who will be able to recommend and prescribe more powerful antifungal agents.
The earlier you begin to treat a yeast infection, the more effective the treatment is likely to be.
Prevention
Hyperglycemia is the underlying reason that people with diabetes are more likely to develop yeast infections. High sugar in bodily fluids creates a sugary environment in which fungi can thrive, and high blood sugar reduces the immune system’s effectiveness.
Therefore, the first line of defense is getting your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible. Healthy glucose levels – at (or below) international benchmarks for A1C and/or time-in-range – are the best way to make sure that your body can prevent and fight fungal infections the way it’s built to.
Otherwise, the standard advice applies: women should practice good hygiene (but don’t douche), keep the vagina clean and dry, and avoid scented bath products. The CDC also recommends wearing cotton underwear, although this may be an old wives’ tale.
