What Causes Yeast Infections?

By Faye Finlay


Yeast infections are simply defined as infections caused by a yeast .Yeast is a fungus that normally lives in the vagina in small numbers.The scientific name for yeast is candida albicans.

Yeasts are commensal organisms and they live in normal human skins and in wet areas like the mouth and vagina.20 to 50% of healthy women carry yeast in the vagina.When there is a yeast infection,it usually indicates that too many yeast cells are growing,and this is what causes yeast infections

About 75% of women will suffer from yeast infections at a point in their lives.The symptoms can be bothersome but they are not usually serious.

Yeast infections can be caused by other organisms apart from Candida Albicans.Vaginal infections can be caused by other organisms such as gonorrhea and trichomonas.The treatment of a yeast infection depends on the particular specie that is causing it.

A healthy vagina contains many bacteria and also a small number of yeast cells.the commonest bacteria in the vagina is Lactobacillus acidophillus and it functions to keep other organisms in the vagina under control.

At times,there are certain conditions that change the balance of the organisms.When this happens the yeast organisms proliferate too much much and cause symptoms like vaginal discharge and itchiness.

Antibiotics are a common cause of yeast infections.

When antibiotics are prescribed for infections like chest infections,urine infections the antibiotics can sometimes eradicate the normal protective organism in the body and cause the yeasts to proliferate.

In pregnancy,women have high levels of oestrogen and this makes them prone to Candida infections.

Hormone Replacement Therapy can make women to have an increased incidence of vaginal infections.

Diabetes Mellitus leads to high levels of blood sugar and this encourages yeasts to proliferate.

Steroid treatment can eradicate the normal bacteria in the vagina and cause infections.

Receiving Chemotherapy can cause injury to the tissues in the vagina.

If you are taking oral contraceptives,you may become more prone to having vaginal yeast infections

Other things that can cause vaginal yeast infections are the use of perfumed sprays

-Wearing tight pants.Candida likes warm moist airless parts of the body.

Once you are aware of the facts of what causes yeast infections,you are now in a position to address the issue of yeast infection treatments.




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