What Causes Yeast Infections
What causes yeast infections? We believe that this is a question that men and women must seek the answers to and for good reasons, too. Think of it this way: If you know the causes of yeast infection, then you are better able to adopt preventive measures, spot the symptoms as soon as these signs appear, and seek proper medical treatment, if and when necessary.
Yeast infections may be relatively harmless in comparison with sexually transmitted diseases but these are still physiological infections that require treatment lest serious health complications occur. And your psychological health also benefits when the yeast infection is successfully treated.
Fungi Are the Culprit
The root cause of yeast infections is the overgrowth of any of the Candida species of fungi of which the most common is the Candida albicans. This explains the medical name of candidiasis for yeast infections.
The Candida fungi – yeast, in other words- are microorganisms naturally present in moist areas of the body like the mouth, vagina and gastrointestinal tract. When the fungi are at relatively normal levels, the body will suffer no ill effects from their presence especially as these are part of its natural flora. The immune system together with the other microorganisms in the body’s niche limits the growth of the fungi.
But there are circumstances when this normal balance is disrupted. The overgrowth of the yeast cannot be controlled until such time that the symptoms of infection are experienced by the individuals. These symptoms include redness, itching and burning sensations on the vaginal or penile area coupled with pain during urination and sexual intercourse. Vaginal discharges characterized by a white, thick and clumpy material are also common in women but uncommon in men.
Factors That Increase Risks of Infection
The next questions will then be: What are the factors that lead to the overgrowth of the C. albicans fungi? Are these factors within the control of the individual?
Modern medical research has uncovered the following risk factors that obviously increase the chances for developing yeast infections:
• Antibiotic Use – Broad-spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin kill the healthy bacteria that prevent the overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. The most important of these good bacteria are the lactobacillus bacteria, which is also present in probiotic food like yogurt.
• Uncontrolled Diabetes – Poorly controlled blood sugar levels change the healthy pH level in the vagina. As a result, the yeast is provided with the right environmental conditions to grow unabated.
• Compromised Immune System - Individuals who have weakened immune system brought by disorders and diseases like diabetes, mononucleosis and HIV/AIDS as well as stress and malnutrition have increased risks for yeast infections.
• Being Sexually Active – We must emphasize that a yeast infections is not considered a sexually transmitted disease so you can breathe a sigh of relief now. But one of the ways that yeast infections are transmitted is through unprotected sexual contact especially via the oral-genital method. (It’s not STD because Candida is naturally present in the vagina and, thus, even virgins and celibate adults can have yeast infections due to the other risk factors)
• Pregnancy, Contraceptive Use and HRT – Women who are pregnant, who are on high-dose estrogen contraceptive pills, and who are on an estrogen hormone replacement therapy are more likely to develop candidiasis. The increased levels of estrogen also alter the normal environment of the vagina.
• Changes in the Bacterial Levels – The good bacteria in the vagina can be significantly eliminated by unhealthy lifestyle habits. These habits include excessive douching, inadequate vaginal lubrication, poorly ventilated clothing, improper wiping after bowel movements, unusual sweating in the nether regions, poor personal hygiene especially in the feminine area, use of perfumed feminine products and untreated injuries to the external genitalia. Indeed, the importance of looking after the health of your reproductive system in particular and your body in general cannot be overemphasized.
Treatment for yeast infections include over-the-counter and possibly prescription medications, herbal formulations and healthy lifestyle changes. If you look closely at the abovementioned causes, you will realize that many of the risk factors are actually within your control including stress, malnutrition and use of certain types of clothing and feminine products.
Since you now know the answers to the question of what causes yeast infections, you have a better idea of how best to prevent these health issues. For example, if you know that the causes of yeast infection in your case are excessive levels of stress coupled with poor nutrition, then you can adopt relaxation techniques and a healthy diet. Treatment and prevention of your yeast infection will then become easier and faster.