Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the medical name for the genital yeast infection which occurs mostly in women and may rarely occur in men. VVC occurs as a result of the upset in the natural balance of “good” bacteria and other micro-organisms in the vagina.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 percent of all adult women have had at least one “yeast infection” in their lifetime and as many as 45 percent have had it two times or more.
VVC occurs majorly from an overgrowth of the yeast called Candida. Such an overgrowth of the yeast may be caused by a reduction in the vaginal acidity or a hormonal imbalance. When this happens, symptoms of Candidiasis may appear.
Symptoms
Symptoms in women may include genital itching, burning, and unusual discharge; in men, symptom may be itchy rash on the penis. Some other genital infections may have the same symptom so it is best to see your doctor to know which infection you may be suffering from.
Causes
Other things that may cause Candida overgrowth include high alcohol consumption, taking oral contraceptives and eating foods with high carbohydrate and sugar content, especially in pregnancy.
Prevention
However, because prevention is always better than looking for a cure, the following are practical things you can do to prevent genital yeast infection.
Cut down on your sugar intake: Sugar feeds the yeast. If you are diabetic or prone to it, control your blood sugar levels will significantly reduce your risk of yeast infections.
Do not use toilet immediately after you flush: “As you flush, you bring up the contents in the bowl (toilet seat),” says Philip Tierno, MD, director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at New York University Medical Centre and Mt. Sinai Medical Centre in New York City. “It’s not just your germs; it’s germs from other people.” Some toilets can aerosolise (convert into a gaseous spray) the contents for quite a distance after being flushed – five feet with lower volume flushes or as far as 20 feet. In fact, Tierno recommends that if you are using a toilet without a lid, you should open the door first before you flush so that you can get out of the way of the spray quickly. Imagine what would happen if you sat on a toilet bowl (seat) immediately after you flushed even with clean water.
Avoid sexual activities that can transfer germs to your body: During foreplay, fingers can be used to create stimulation and arousal. Avoid contact with overgrown fingernails that may harbour germs which could cause infections especially if your immune system is low.
Wear cotton under wears: If you must wear an underwear with synthetic or nylon as a main material, make sure it has a cotton panel at the crotch. This will help absorb the moisture from your body.
Avoid wearing panty liners, they get damp and can increase your risk of recurrent vaginal yeast infections.
Avoid moist clothing:  After a workout or relaxing swim, change your outfit as soon as you can so that the dampness does not increase the risks.
Stay away from douches, scented powders, scented tampons, and feminine deodorant sprays. These contain chemicals and perfumes that can upset the natural balance of “good” bacteria and other micro-organisms in the vagina.
Wipe (clean up) correctly. The appropriate way to wipe is from front to back. After using the restroom, wipe correctly so that you do not spread bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
Eat healthy and manage stress: Although not confirmed by medical research, some women say that too much sugar, beer, and stress can trigger their yeast infections. Stress weakens the body’s immune system and can make it vulnerable. Instead, exercise regularly, it will boost the immune system and reduce stress.
Avoid contraceptive pills, hormone therapy and antibiotics because they can alter the body’s chemistry and encourage candida overgrowth.
In case you are suffering from Candida overgrowth and infection, see a doctor and get it treated. Aside relieving the discomfort, effective treatment can stop the yeast growth and restore the friendly bacteria that keep it in check.

The actions approved by President Buhari, based on recommendations to him by the Executive Director of UNEP, the UNEP Special Representative for Ogoniland, Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministries of Environment and Petroleum Resources, and other stakeholders, include the amendment of the Official Gazette establishing the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) to reflect a new governance framework comprising a Governing Council, a Board of Trustees and Project Management.