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Mercy OB/GYN Dr. Caren Craig

Mercy OB/GYN Dr. Caren Craig Discusses Diagnosis And Treatment Of Yeast Infections On WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor" Program

Since most women will experience at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, it's important to know what causes them and how to get treatment.

"I do want to talk about it and help other women because they may be afraid to talk to their doctors," said Kelly Townes-Parker, 40, who said yeast infections are a problem that have plagued her most of her life.

"The problem started when I was in my teens when I started menstruating. It wasn't as severe as it is now," she said.

Mercy Medical Center ob/gyn Dr. Caren Craig said yeast infections might be embarrassing to talk about but aren't unusual at all. Approximtately 75 percent of women get them regardless of their age.

"That is why the treatment — some of the treatments — are over-the-counter. They're just so common, like a headache," Dr. Craig said.

But besides over-the-counter creams and prescription pills, Dr. Craig said for recurrent infections, there are other treatments of which women may not be aware.

"One of them involves putting a medicated fluid in the vagina and let that literally set there for a while in the office. Another involves painting the outside of the vagina with a purple solution that helps with the outer itching," Dr. Craig added

If you're diabetic, you're especially prone to yeast infections. Other factors that can put a patient at risk are antibiotics, hormonal birth control, pregnancy and a weak immune system.

"If anyone ever wonders what is the doctor doing when she does the exam and she leaves the room and she comes back in, it's because she's looking under the microscope for yeast. Yeast looks like little branches on a tree," Dr. Craig said.

Women should be careful when diagnosing the problem because vaginal irritation doesn't always mean a yeast infection, so to be sure have your doctor check it out.

To view WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor" interview with Dr. Craig, visit this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/21889182/detail.html.