Yeast Infections: What Are They?
January 6th, 2009
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.
Circumstances happening in life can overtake the body’s normal defense system. It may be stress, taking antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, or the hormonal changes of pregnancy. When this happens the yeast do not have the normal check and balances system. They overgrow and the result is what we call a yeast infection.
Infection symptoms can vary from person to person. Most women complain of burning and itching with a vaginal yeast infection. There are many ways of treating a yeast infection. Prescription medications are designed to treat the symptoms by decreasing the growing of the yeast. They do not treat the underlying cause of a 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.
Stress also can lead to yeast overgrowth. Stress taxes our bodies’ defenses so the body is less able to fight the yeast overgrowth.
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.
When you are pregnant your hormone levels vary wildly. The changing levels can lead to the perfect condition for yeast to overgrow.
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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