Causes of Yeast Infections

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans, which, along with a few types of bacteria, are normally present in relatively small numbers. Sometimes the yeast multiply rapidly and take over, causing a full-fledged yeast infection or candidiasis. This can be due to a change in the vaginal environment, injury , sexual transmission , or HIV. Common environmental disruptions that favor yeast include increased pH, increased heat and moisture, allergic reactions, elevated sugar levels, hormonal fluxes, and reductions in the populations of bacteria that are normally present. These can generally be traced to a few causes:

Antibiotics are probably the leading cause of vaginal yeast infections. If you take an antibiotic to cure your sinus infection, the antibiotic kills the unwanted bacteria in your sinuses, but can also kill the "good" bacteria that exist in other areas of yor body.

Clothing : Yeast flourishes in non-cotton, tight, or dirty clothes that trap heat and moisture. Your best bet is to wear a skirt with no underwear, tights or pantyhose. If you do wear underwear, your safest bet is unbleached, undyed cotton underwear and breathable clothes. it's a good idea to change your underpants regularlyand if at all possible, don't sleep in underwear. Yeast can live in your underwear, so be sure to wash it well, particularly during and after a yeast infection.

Chemicals , such as inks, dyes, and perfumes, can upset the vaginal balance or trigger allergic reactions that lead to yeast infections. The classic example is commercial douches, which have no benefits and are definitely harmful to the vaginal environment and your health . soaps are not only disruptive to the vaginal environment, but can damage your mucus membranes. You should never use soap on your vaginal area. Perfumed toilet papers have been blamed for yeast infections. Try an unscented, undyed toilet paper, like Scott. Similarly, some laundry detergents and fabric softeners have allergenic dyes and perfumes. Again, try something like Arm & Hammer fragrance free detergent. Bubble baths or bath salts, scented tampons or sanitary pads and even feminine deodorant sprays can similarly trigger yeast infections.

Condoms can promote yeast infections in two different ways. First, a lot of condoms come packaged with a lubricant that contains nonoxynol-9, a spermicide that may kill the HIV virus. Several recent studies have shown that nonoxynol-9 is linked to yeast infections . if you suspect this is your problem, try using a condom that doesn't have a spermicidal lubricant, and use a different spermicide or additional barrier protection. Condoms can also cause yeast infections if you are allergic to latex . If this is the case, don't give up hope on practicing safer sex. you may want to try some of the newer plastic (polyurethane) condoms for men or women.

Diet : Some say that cutting down on yeast-containing foods helps lessen the intensity or frequency of vaginal yeast infections. Similarly, many people believe that high levels of sugar in your diet can contribute to yeast infections, presumably by elevating sugar levels in your urine, giving the yeast more food. I'm not sure about either of these but it can't hurt! It is clear that women with poorly controlled diabetes get frequent yeast infections, precisely because of sugar in the urine. Finally, most advocates of dietary causes also list caffeine as a factor. Again I'm not sure about this either. I liv on Diet Mountain Dew so I'd be doomed for sure!

Hormones , both naturally-occurring and artificially introduced, can affect yeast. Pregnant women are particularly prone to yeast infections. Many women taking contraceptive pills experience regular yeast infections as their hormone levels fluctuate. And as info, whether or not you're on the pill, yeast generally doesn't like the pH of menstrual blood, so mild yeast infections will often go away during your period although yeast will sometimes rebound as soon as your period is over. As well, steroids used in the treatment of disorders like arthritis, asthma, or lupus can contribute to yeast infections.

Injury to the vulvar or vaginal membranes can lead to a yeast infection. This is almost always due to too much friction with not enough lubrication. Add lubrication , but be smart about what you use: oil-based products, like vaseline, break down latex ; and even non-oily hand creams contain dyes and perfumes that can cause yeast infections! Your best bet is to use a product designed as a sex lubricant, like K-Y jelly, Astroglide, Wet, or Probe.

Sexual transmission : Candida can be transmitted between people by direct contact, and so can actually be a sexually-transmitted disease.

Weakened immune system : women with compromised immune systems due to HIV or Lyme disease are extremely prone to suffering from yeast infections. In addition to vaginal yeast infections, such people are particularly susceptible to thrush, a yeast infection of the throat, or esophageal yeast infections. There are several good fact sheets on candida infections in people with HIV, like those from Project Inform , the Community Aids Treatment Exchange / Reseau communautaire d'info-traitements sida , and the AIDS Treatment Data Network .

WARNING: if you have an active yeast infection, you should refrain from sexual activity that involves vaginal penetration, you should not use tampons, you should not use commercial douches, and you should take extra care to change your underwear and/or menstrual pads often.