Yeast infection abdomen: Can a Yeast Infection Cause Abdominal Pain and Bloating?

30.07.202328.06.2023 by alexxlab

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Can a Yeast Infection Cause Abdominal Pain and Bloating?

Yeast Infection

While you might not think to link the two, yeast infections can come with a wide range of symptoms, including those in areas where the infection isn’t located.

This means that it’s completely possible for a yeast infection to cause different symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating.

While it may vary per condition, you may be experiencing what is called yeast overgrowth – which is what happens when you leave your infection untreated.

What Is a Yeast Infection?
Can a Yeast Infection Cause Abdominal Pain?
Can a Yeast Infection Cause Bloating?
How to Treat a Yeast Infection?
When Should You See a Doctor?
How Can DrHouse Help You?
Key Takeaways

What Is a Yeast Infection?

Yeast infections or Candida can also be found around the skin, in the gut, and digestive system and they are a result of when there’s too much yeast (fungus) building up in one area.

A yeast infection can also be experienced in the vagina and vulva, with multiple different symptoms. It’s a relatively common fungal infection that most women will experience at some point, and can be easily treated if the right actions are taken when the symptoms are discovered.

The infection may also be referred to as vaginal candidiasis and is so common that many women who experience it, may experience it more than one time during their lifetimes.

It’s important to note that a yeast infection is not classed as an STD, as the way they are contracted is not the same as other STDs. It may not be passed on as a result of sex, however, individuals who have sex more frequently may be more prone to experiencing a yeast infection.

Can a Yeast Infection Cause Abdominal Pain?

Your yeast infection can affect you in multiple different ways, one of which is abdominal pain. The fungus growing in your digestive system may lead to a build-up of gases, which can put a lot of pressure on your body. The build-up of pressure in your gut can lead to a number of issues, one of which being leaky gut syndrome, or constipation – which may add to the abdominal pain you’re experiencing.

Can a Yeast Infection Cause Bloating?

Bloating is never a pleasant experience, but, for the same reason a yeast infection can cause abdominal pain – it can cause bloating. You’ll often experience your bloating becoming more and more concerning throughout each day. This is because as you eat and drink, the yeast in your gut is fermenting your meals, and producing more gas than what you would usually experience. While this gas would be released, it can lead to your bloating getting worse and worse throughout the day.

How to Treat a Yeast Infection?

If you suspect you’ve got a yeast infection, it would be best to make sure you see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. As with most infections, the sooner you get it treated – the better, as to prevent spreading or allowing the condition to worsen.

Your infection can be treated by over-the-counter medication, and your doctor may prescribe either an anti-fungal medication or a single-dose medication depending on your situation. The treatment may vary from patient to patient, as pregnant patients may be a more complicated scenario.

If your symptoms are still around after the treatment has been completed, you should be sure to get back in touch with your healthcare professional to seek alternative treatment.

FAQ

Can a Yeast Infection Affect Your Gut?

Untreated yeast infections and yeast overgrowths can lead to a further infection that affects your gut. This infection is called candidiasis, and it is what leads to the bloating and abdominal pain systems you may be experiencing.

Can a Yeast Infection Cause Bloating and Weight Gain?

A yeast infection can cause bloating, and you may notice it getting progressively worse from the beginning to the end of each day. This is because the fungus in your gut produces more gas than you’re used to from the meals you eat.

Yeast infections have also been tied to weight gain. If you’re experiencing a yeast infection, you may have a stronger craving for sugar, making it much more difficult for you to diet and avoid junk food.

A yeast infection may also cause a hormonal imbalance, which has a negative impact on your metabolism – making it harder to process your weight at your usual speed.

Is Bloating a Common Symptom of Candida?

Bloating is one of the most common symptoms of Candida. You may experience bloating not long after eating, as well as diarrhea and constipation. This is due to excess gas being produced by the fungus in your gut.

How Do You Get Rid of Candida Bloating?

To get rid of the bloating caused by Candida, the infection itself needs to be treated. You can usually treat this infection with anti-fungal medication that your doctor can prescribe, as well as probiotics and a better diet.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If this is your first time experiencing a yeast infection, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. While it may be treatable at home, your doctor can help you to decide on the best form of treatment.

You should also see a doctor if you’re unsure about whether or not you’re experiencing a yeast infection or not. Concerning symptoms should never be ignored, and the sooner you notice them, the better.

If you’ve already seen your doctor but the treatment given to you hadn’t helped, you should make another appointment to explore further treatment options.

How Can DrHouse Help You?

If you think you may be suffering from a yeast infection, the DrHouse app can help you to get a diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare professional. With our app, you can start an on-demand online doctors visit from the comfort of your own home, and get started on treatment as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways

A yeast infection is a fungus buildup that can cause a number of different symptoms, including bloating and abdominal pain.
It’s a very common and easily treatable infection, and most women will experience it at some point during their lifetime.
Yeast infections can be more prevalent in those who are more sexually active, despite not being an STD.
Yeast infections can cause you to gain weight, as well as cause difficulty losing weight due to sugar cravings and lower metabolism.

Sources:

Vaginal Candidiasis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html
Serra, J. Management of bloating. Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 2022; 34:e14333. doi:10.1111/nmo.14333
Akpan A, Morgan ROral candidiasisPostgraduate Medical Journal 2002;78:455-459.
Soong D, Einarson A. Vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2009 Mar;55(3):255-6. PMID: 19282531; PMCID: PMC2654841.
Camilleri MLeaky gut: mechanisms, measurement and clinical implications in humansGut 2019;68:1516-1526.
Schulze J, Sonnenborn U. Yeasts in the gut: from commensals to infectious agents. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2009 Dec;106(51-52):837-42. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0837. Epub 2009 Dec 18. PMID: 20062581; PMCID: PMC2803610.

DrHouse articles are written by MDs, NPs, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals. The contents of the DrHouse site are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing high fever (>103F/39.4C), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal bruising, abnormal bleeding, extreme fatigue, dizziness, new weakness or paralysis, difficulty with speech, confusion, extreme pain in any body part, or inability to remain hydrated or keep down fluids or feel you may have any other life-threatening condition, please go to the emergency department or call 911 immediately.

11 Causes Lower Abdominal Pain and Vaginal Discharge

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Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, PA-C — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on April 4, 2023

Cramping and vaginal discharge can occur together due to some medical conditions, including bacterial, viral, and yeast infections, among other causes.

Lower abdominal pain is pain that occurs at or below the belly button. This pain can be:

cramplike
achy
dull
sharp

Vaginal discharge can be normal. The vagina produces secretions as a way to clean itself and maintain its pH balance. Infections can affect the vagina’s pH level, which may result in changes in vaginal discharge. Abnormal vaginal discharge may have:

a foul odor
a cottage cheese-like consistency
an unusual color, such as yellow or green

Here are 11 possible causes of lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection in the vagina caused by bacteria. Read more about BV.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that’s passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. Read more about HPV risks.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervix. Read more about cervical cancer and yearly screenings.

Menstruation occurs when the uterus sheds its lining once a month. Some pain, cramping, and discomfort during menstrual periods is normal. Read more about painful menstruation.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. Read more about seeking treatment for PID.

Trichomoniasis (“trich”) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s very common. Read more about trichomoniasis and how it’s treated.

Vaginal yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, are common in women. Symptoms include intense itching, swelling, and irritation. Read more about preventing yeast infections.

In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg doesn’t attach to the uterus. Instead, it may attach to the fallopian tube, abdominal cavity, or cervix. Read more about ectopic pregnancies.

Urethritis is a condition in which the urethra — the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body — becomes inflamed and irritated. Read more about urethritis.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is a condition that affects nearly every woman at some point in her life. DUB is a condition that causes vaginal bleeding to occur outside of the regular menstrual cycle. Read more about DUB and treatment options.

Urinary incontinence happens when you lose control of your bladder. Read more on the three types of urinary incontinence.

Seek immediate medical help if your lower abdominal pain is sharp or severe and you’re experiencing a fever, uncontrolled vomiting, or chest pain.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

bloody vaginal discharge unrelated to your menstrual cycle
burning sensation when urinating
lower abdominal pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
pain during sexual intercourse
unexplained weight loss

This information is a summary. Seek medical attention if you think you need urgent care.

The way your doctor treats these symptoms depends on what’s causing them. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for infections such as PID or STIs. They may prescribe topical or oral antifungal medications for a yeast infection.

Your doctor will decide how to treat HPV or cervical cancer based on the severity of the condition. In some instances, your doctor may recommend surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

You can do the following at home to help manage your symptoms:

Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to help to reduce adverse effects from vaginal infections.
Wear clean cotton underwear and keep your vagina clean.
Avoid douching.
Avoid using perfumed products around your vagina, such as deodorant body washes.
You may wish to avoid sexual intercourse until your symptoms are gone.
Take all medications as prescribed.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, to relieve lower abdominal pain.

Practicing good hygiene and sexual habits can help prevent these symptoms. Examples include:

always using a condom during sexual intercourse
keeping stress levels low
keeping the vagina clean and dry
refraining from douching, which can irritate the vaginal tissues
wiping from front to back after going to the bathroom

It’s also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat small meals, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly.

Last medically reviewed on May 9, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Abdominal pain (stomach pain), short term. (n.d.).
familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/health-tools/search-by-symptom/abdominal-pain-short-term.html
Facts about vaginitis and vaginal infections. (n.d.).
idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/vag.htm
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). (2015).
cdc.gov/std/tg2015/pid.htm
Vaginal discharge: Knowing the difference between normal discharge and infections. (2008).
mckinley.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/docs/vaginal_discharge. pdf

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Apr 4, 2023

Written By

Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA

Edited By

Heather Hobbs

May 9, 2018

Medically Reviewed By

Holly Ernst, PA-C

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Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, PA-C — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on April 4, 2023

Thrush: symptoms and treatment | clinic “Formula Zdorovya”

Thrush is an infection on the mucous membranes of the genital organs, which is caused by fungi of the genus Candida. They are in the body of any person, but a decrease in immunity leads to a significant increase in them. The disease occurs mainly in women, is transmitted to newborns. In men, candidiasis is less common and asymptomatic.

Causes of thrush

There are several reasons for the development of the disease:

immunosuppression;
chronic pathologies: diabetes mellitus, bronchitis, liver cirrhosis, pyelonephritis;
taking antibiotics for a long time, because of this, pathogenic microflora multiplies in the vagina, intestinal dysbacteriosis develops;
hypothermia;
hormonal disorders;
stress;
pregnancy. The protective functions of the woman’s body are reduced so that the fetal egg is not perceived as a foreign body;
oncology treatment. Chemotherapy harms the microflora of the vagina;
malnutrition: excessive consumption of fatty, starchy foods, sweets;
wearing synthetic underwear;
use of scented and panty liners, intimate gels that weaken local immunity;
frequent douching: the use of solutions of calendula, chamomile, potassium permanganate destroys the healthy microflora of the vagina;
climate change;
use of a spiral, diaphragm, contraceptives in high doses.

Thrush is transmitted to men during sexual intercourse, through hygiene items, clothes, dishes. A decrease in the protective functions of the body and comorbidities is also a provoking factor in the development of thrush in them.

Symptoms

Candidiasis in women has the following manifestations:

Appearance of white and thick cheesy discharge with a sour smell.
Itching and burning in the vagina.
Inflammation of the mucous membranes, redness and swelling of the labia.
Pain during urination and during intercourse.

In men, the disease affects the body from the inside, as the structure of the genital organs does not allow fungi to gain a foothold. Symptoms are most often absent, but in rare cases, irritation, itching, and white discharge occur.

Complications

Pathologies of the bladder, kidneys, ureters. Occur due to reproduction in the body of the fungus.

Erosion of the cervix – the appearance of ulcers on the mucous membrane.
Ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Thrush provokes the occurrence of inflammation in the uterus, appendages, ovaries and tubes, leads to the appearance of adhesions. Because of what, conception occurs outside the uterus or does not occur at all.
Complications during pregnancy. Under the influence of the fungus, the tone of the uterus develops, miscarriage, premature birth can occur. The tissues of the genital organs change structure due to candidiasis. The connective tissue that replaces the affected cells does not stretch well. Therefore, during childbirth, a woman has significant gaps. After a caesarean section with thrush, the seam becomes thinner and may disperse during repeated births. In newborns, this disease occurs in the mouth.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of thrush includes:

Bakpose smear of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix.
PCR analysis.
Colposcopy (using a special microscope).

To treat the disease, local therapy (special vaginal suppositories) is first prescribed, if it is not enough, then antifungal agents are added. After the symptoms disappear, specialists conduct tests to make sure that candidiasis is not in the patient’s body. Then drugs are prescribed to restore microflora and immunomodulators.

To cure chronic thrush, physiotherapy is added to the main therapy.

For pregnant women, topical therapy and antifungal drugs are used, which do not have a toxic effect on the baby.

In newborns, the oral cavity is treated with chlorhexidine.

A man’s body usually clears up thrush on its own, but if symptoms are present, antifungals are also prescribed. If a woman has candidiasis, then her partner should also be tested. After sexual intercourse, a woman can get sick again, because men are often carriers of this infection.

Do not self-medicate thrush at home and use broad-spectrum drugs containing nystatin as part of the antibiotic. It suppresses the normal microflora of the vagina and provokes the development of dysbacteriosis. Experienced gynecologists of our clinic will select the necessary drugs individually for each patient, help to recover quickly and avoid consequences.

causes, diagnosis, treatment, relapses

Urogenital candidiasis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urogenital tract caused by fungi of the genus Candida – has many names: thrush, endomycosis, candidiasis, blastomycosis, levurosis, soormycosis – and that’s not all.

Our expert in this field:

Alimardonov Murad Bekmurotovich

Gynecologist-oncologist, Ph.D.

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Why thrush?
So it was called even under Hippocrates, because it was found in infants, apparently, they believed that it enters the baby’s mouth exclusively with milk.

When thrush fungi affect mainly the outer shell. But today, candidiasis has become more common, besides, it penetrates deeper into the body, into internal organs and tissues, and even causing candidal sepsis.

The peculiarity of mushrooms to coexist with a person all his life, when peacefully, and when aggressively, has been known since the 18th century. Today, one can often hear that fungi will determine the future of human infections.

Mushrooms are everywhere: in the hot sand of the beach, in the cool water of the pool, on the park bench, on the handrails of the escalator, on the freshly laundered linen. They surround us and get inside. Candida is a conditionally pathogenic organism, that is, it exists in the body and at the expense of a person, but from time to time it suddenly begins to attack the host, causing painful symptoms, and then subsides and lives unnoticed until the next attack.

A fungus of the genus Candida is always found in the body, and first of all, its development will begin not in the mouth, where saliva washes away and “etches out” everything superfluous with enzymes, but on the almost defenseless mucous membrane of the genital organs, where it is not clean, and its own beneficial lactobacilli are weak defenders.

Conditions for the activation of fungi

There is an opinion that candidiasis, like any fungal infection, is a messenger of trouble in the body. Candida fungi accompany chronic diseases, take advantage of the weakening of the body’s defenses as a result of an acute illness, and develop against the background of immune suppression by drugs. All these internal processes create the prerequisites for the transition of the fungus from a saprophytic, and harmless existence for the host, to a purely pathogenic one.

Decreased immunity , congenital or associated with the treatment of, for example, malignant tumors with cytostatics, the use of glucocorticoid hormones in severe asthma, or drug suppression of donor organ rejection, is favorable for Candida. With high-dose chemotherapy for certain forms of malignant diseases of the blood and lymphatic tissues, no less aggressive treatment with antifungal drugs is carried out in parallel. HIV infection causes thrush so often that the activation of fungi is indirectly considered a sign of an increase in the concentration of the virus in the blood.
Taking antibiotics causes an imbalance in the microflora, however, antibiotics are taken because of the prevalence of pathogenic bacterial flora, and so antibiotics kill both bad and good ones, so Candida easily starts in the place freed from bacteria.
Disease of the endocrine glands leads to an imbalance in carbohydrate metabolism. Especially diabetes, and mushrooms love sweets – glucose. In addition, hormonal disorders change metabolic processes in tissues, disrupt the vascular network, weaken the protective properties, which immediately causes the activation of Candida fungi.
Chronic diseases lead to trophic disturbances – nutrition of organs and tissues, which interferes with adequate immunological protection, promotes the activation of any fungi, and primarily Candida. Mushrooms miraculously coexist with skin diseases and infections, tuberculosis, collagenosis, chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs.
Trophic disorders in tissues and simple aging of the body, accompanied by dystrophic changes, are favorable for the development and chronicization of candidiasis. This happens with the mucous membrane of the tongue in old people, when the production of saliva is significantly reduced. With severe varicose veins of the lower extremities, difficult-to-heal ulcers are formed, where fungi of the genus Candida are in the forefront of pests.

Thrush and sweets

Fungi of the genus Candida love sweets – tissues where there is a lot of glycogen – a form of glucose storage. The vaginal mucosa is just such a “sweet” mushroom place. Candidal lesions of the genital organs account for more than a third of all infections, and at least once in a lifetime three-quarters of women have been ill with vulvovaginal candidiasis, but only in every fifteenth the thrush takes a recurrent course. After menopause, the fungus almost does not bother: the glycogen content drops along with the level of sex hormones.

But thrush is not classified as sexually transmitted, although the partner may also develop clinical manifestations of candidal balanoposthitis, but the reason is different. A mother can infect a newborn with a yeast fungus, but clinical manifestations are very rare, because the conditions for their development are necessary. And although mushrooms are visible everywhere, they are literally under your feet, for activation you need internal suitable conditions.

What is thrush like?

Thrush, or scientifically, candidiasis can be acute and chronic, or, as it is called in the special medical literature: uncomplicated and complicated. The second classification is more “vital”, because a chronic disease is considered with several repetitions of an acute process in a certain period of time. Candidiasis can be acute several times, without a tendency to become chronic.

Uncomplicated candidiasis occurs from time to time, no more than four times a year, in the absence of the above conditions and diseases, that is, in a healthy person.
Accordingly, complicated is recurrent more than four times per year in patients with any of the above in the previous chapter.

This division is very conditional, because relapses of more than four years can be in healthy people.

Uncontrolled and clinically unmotivated use of antifungal drugs has led to an increase in drug-resistant forms of Candida. Entrust the treatment to professionals, sign up for a consultation.

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Symptoms of thrush

In men, candidal lesions are more often manifested by balanoposthitis, in women – by vulvovaginitis.

Itching and burning in the area of the vagina and urethra, burning pain may occur when urinating. White or yellowish copious discharge with grains similar to cottage cheese is noted. Sexual contact is painful, the mucous membrane is painfully sensitive and edematous, as if slightly burned.

Men have similar complaints, but the delicate skin of the penis swells and irritates, a small red rash appears on it, covered with a curdled coating, painful cracks may form in the skin of the anogenital zone. An ascending infection with the development of cystitis is also possible, but cystitis is more common in women because the urethra is short and wide.

Exacerbation of candidiasis in sexual partners does not coincide at all in time and frequency, because each has its own internal and often completely independent reasons.

Diagnosis and treatment of thrush

The external manifestations of candidiasis are very characteristic, therefore, the detection of Candida fungi is not carried out every exacerbation. Mushrooms are well detected by microscopy of the secretion of the genital tract, they are successfully grown on a nutrient medium, simultaneously revealing sensitivity to antifungal drugs. Sometimes, due to the lack of effect of treatment, they resort to identification using molecular biological methods – by a piece of DNA of a fungal species from the genus Candida family.

Every fifteenth woman has an asymptomatic carriage of Candida fungus, therefore, treatment is started only if there are clinical symptoms, that is, when it hurts and interferes with normal life, and not when Candida fungus was accidentally found in the analysis.