Sunday, January 4, 2009

Causes Of Yeast Infections

By Rachel Brunette

Over 75% of all women will suffer a yeast infection in their lives according to the National Women's Health Information Service. In addition over 50% of all women will have more than one yeast infection. Any woman who has had a yeast infection will tell you it's a more than just an annoyance, it's a real problem.

A tiny one celled fungus is the cause of yeast infections. There are many kinds of yeast but the most common cause of problems is the species Candida. It can overgrow in the vagina, mouth, or in skin folds causing an infection. The overgrowth can cause pain and be annoying.

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.

Symptoms of a yeast infection include itching and burning. There are many different ways of treating a yeast infection. Most prescription medications work decreasing the growing number of yeast. This type of treatment works on the symptoms of the yeast infection, not the cause.

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.

Yeast can overgrow when we are under stress. This is because the body is so busy fighting the effect of stress it is unable to moderate the growth of yeast. Without the moderation effect the yeast overgrows causing a yeast infection.

Tight jeans can also lead to yeast infections. Tight jeans causes an environment where body sweat and heat is held tightly against the body. Since yeast likes warm moist environments, tight jeans can set up the body for a yeast infection.

Pregnancy has lots of hormonal ups and downs. With the changes in hormones the growth of yeast is favored.

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.

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