Causes Of Yeast Infections

For any woman who has suffered a yeast infection, they will tell you it’s uncomfortable and more than just an annoyance. The National Women’s Health Information Service says over 75% of all women will suffer at least one yeast infection in their life. The rate is over 50% for another yeast infection.

The cause of yeast infection is a tiny one celled fungus called yeast. There are many types of yeast but the one most frequently causing yeast infections is the species Candida. When it overgrows it can cause a vaginal infection but it also can cause a mouth infection as well. A yeast infection is not only annoying, it become painful as well.

Now Candida is not a foreigner to the body. It grows normally on and inside the body. Candida especially likes to grow under moist, warm conditions. It can be found growing in the vagina, foreskin of the penis, and in skin folds. Normally the body keeps the level of yeast under control. In the vagina there is a specialized bacteria whose job is to keep the yeast from overgrowing. These bacteria keep the vagina acidic preventing the overgrowth of the yeast.

Unfortunately with things like stress, taking antibiotics, hormone changes of pregnancy and illness the yeast can overtake the body’s defenses. This is when the yeast overgrow and the result is what we call a yeast infection.

Burning and itching are the most commonly reported symptoms of yeast infection. There are many medications, treatments and ways of treating a yeast infection. Most prescription medications work to decrease the number of growing yeast cells. That means the symptoms are treated but not the underlying cause of the yeast infection.

What are some of the causes of yeast infection?

Taking antibiotics is one of the most common ways of getting a yeast infection. The antibiotic kills the helpful bacteria, which normally keeps yeast from overgrowing.

When you are stressed, you tax your body’s defense system. With the body trying to combat the effect of stress it is unable to fight off the overgrowth of yeast.

It’s hard to believe tight jeans can cause yeast infections. But it’s true. With tight jeans the sweat and heat of our bodies does evaporate. It’s all held tightly against the body creating the warm, moist environment yeast likes to grow in.

Hormone levels fluctuate wildly during pregnancy. These changing levels can lead to the ideal conditions for yeast to grow and grow leading to a yeast infection.

The body has a natural cleansing system in the vagina. When you douche you upset the natural balance and then the vagina can’t stop the overgrowth of yeast cells. Diabetes especially those with high or uncontrolled blood sugars are another cause of yeast infections. Yeast likes sugars as a food.

Yeast infection prevention is a topic you should discuss with your health care provider. There are many natural ways you can use to change your life and lifestyle to prevent yeast infections from happening.