How do you get a yeast infection ?

[Violafour]

Uugh I'm nervous, but oh well I need to know things about my body and what I should do if something goes wrong. Hello my name is viola I am 17 years old and I think I may have a yeast infection. I've done a lot of research on my symptoms. On the inside of my vagina it has a white boogery covering, I cleaned that out as best as I could today for the first time. My vagina itchs , but not too much and I don't know if its swollen I can't tell. It also has a weird odor.
      I have a boyfriend we've been dating for almost a year now. We haven't had sex , though he has fingered me three or four times now. One time his penis did touch my vagina without a condom on, we almost had sex that time, but I stopped him, I was afraid I like have sexphobia or something. Heh :/  if I do have a yeast infection, what can I do to help it? What couldve cuased it? Is there a way where I can treat it without a doctor? Or medication? If I just continue cleaning it really good?

[Corvin]

Hi,the most common cause of vaginal infection that is a lot of times confused with yeast infection is called Bacterial vaginosis(BV),which happens when the natural inhabiting flora bacteria in the vagina are too low in number which reduces the acidity or ph level inside the vagina which when normal keeps natural inhabiting bad bacteria under control. These higher number of bad bacteria produce toxins which makes it more difficult for the healthy flora to rebalance. The main symptoms of BV isn't so much what the vagina looks like but what it smells like(strong fishy smell)occupied by white,yellow,or gray discharge which can be milky,thin,or frothy. A lot of women don't have symptoms and don't even know they have a problem until a routine pelvic exam.

The cause isn't exactly clear,but there is some things that make women more prone to BV,such as taking antibiotics,having sex without a condom specially with multiple partners,and douching.

Risks of BV are increased risk of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection(STI),and premature delivery if your pregnant.

Treatment for BV is taking an antibiotic called clindamycin,which is prescribed by your doctor,but BV can recur,there are some alternative over the counter treatments also such as:
1 Eliminating the unwanted bacteria. Example Tea-tree oil products, FemiGel. Same principle as the antibiotics.
2 Adding buffer / acid to lower the pH. RepHresh is an example.
3 Adding lactic bacteria. Fem-dophilus (Jarrow Formulas) is a lactobacillus product which specifically claims to help maintain healthy vaginal flora.
4 Adding growth substrate for the beneficial lactic acid bacteria to grow and produce lactic acid directly into the vagina. The natural lactic acid bacteria multiply, bringing about a healthy environment. LadyBalance is based on this principle

Prevention of BV includes,sexual abstinence,good hygiene washing the outside of the genitals and anus each day with MILD soap and water(just the external don't try to wash inside of the vagina it will only disturb the ph balance more),avoid wearing thongs they can rub and constrict and transfer bacteria from the anus to the vagina,if sexually active only have one partner and use a condom,and have routine pelvic exams.

*So all this being said I'm sure you don't have a STI,I think you are right to stay abstinent,I don't think you have a yeast infection because they usually don't smell and the itching would be more intense with some redness or swelling. The only risk of not going to the doctor now would be if your also diabetic or immune compromised. I would highly recommend talking about this problem with your mom she's more than likely experienced the same issuses or a grandmother or aunt someone you feel comfortable with. It's inevitable that at least by age 24 you should go for your first pelvic exam/pap smear and be screened for risk for cervical cancer and cysts,specially if you have family history of it but you won't know that if you don't talk to someone in your family,so you might as well get an early start now and be ahead of the game. Take care

[Totie]

Have you posted on the women's board? Someone there may be able to answer your question.

I hope you are not delaying treatment due to thinking your parents would be mad. Like I said yeast infections are caused by many things, I highly doubt you got it from any type of intercourse since you had not had any.  

Sorry could not had been of more help...wish I could have.

[Violafour]

Sadly, I need more answers. :(

[Totie]

You really need to see a doctor to make sure it is an infection and if so, what kind. I truly believe it is an infection. Please get it taken care of incase it gets worse or spreads. Sometimes you need antibiotics to clear it up. Yeast infections are caused by a lot of different things, including taking antibiotics. Yeast infections are not always related to sex.

You should not be embarassed, it is part of your body. Get yourself checked out. You are old enough to fool around, you are old enough to take care of your body. Do not let the infection spread....