Yeast Infection Causes

There are plenty of causes of yeast infections, mostly of vaginal yeast infections, but by science only the following are proved to be real:

1. Antibiotics: the mechanism of antibiotics leading to yeast infection is as follows: antibiotics don’t care about what kind of bacteria is killed; they don’t discriminate and kill both: good and bad bacteria. As long as good, friendly bacteria are protecting us from a yeast infection by preventing Candida overgrowth, the lack of friendly bacteria will result in yeast overgrowth and in Candida infection. Women react different to antibiotics: some will have a yeast infection every time they take an antibiotic, others will have problems every single time they take it. So, the problem is in upsetting the vaginal flora, and unfortunately some of antibacterial soaps will have the same effect and will upset the vaginal flora as well. There is no way to prevent a vaginal yeast infection due to antibiotics (or at least I don’t know it). The antibiotics represent the most frequent cause of vaginal yeast infection and represent a good example of the fact that solving one problem can lead to another.

2. Hormonal changes. Hormones are extremely potent chemical substances synthesized by our body or introduced in our body in pills form. Normally hormones are responsible for a huge quantity of our body’s functions: growth, child birth, energy level, etc. They are also responsible for vaginal pH maintaining. As for example, pregnant women are particularly prone for vaginal yeast infections, especially in the third trimester. Many women, using hormonal contraceptives will experience more frequent vaginal yeast infections due to the vaginal pH change. For most women the yeast infection will go away once their period will come, because the pH of menstrual blood is different and acts like a natural antifungal. Also, steroid hormones, which are used in autoimmune diseases treatment, will lead to Candida overgrowth, by suppressing the immune system.

3. Chemical substances can al so cause some serious yeast infection. The list of potentially dangerous chemicals is huge: starting from perfumes to inks used to color toilet paper. A good example is probably the most used by women chemical – the antibacterial soaps. The problem in the chemicals is that they upset the vaginal “ecosystem”. When you use a commercial douche to eliminate the bacteria which are the main cause of the odor, you, most probably, have no idea that bacteria causing the odor are benefic to your vaginal environment and are the barer that stop yeast overgrowth. Soaps, generally, are also harmful to the vaginal mucosa, so, next time think twice before you’ll soap your vagina. There are also chemicals which are not acting directly, but still have their share in the vaginal Candida etiology. Some good examples in this category of chemicals will serve detergents and softeners, which are used to wash the underwear. Even heavily promoted perfumed sanitary pads are dangerous from candidiasis point of view.
To avoid the danger of getting a yeast infection, just switch to some eco-brands.

4. Clothing. Yeasts just adore humidity, heat and darkness. So it feels like heaven in pantyhose or non-cotton, tight, dirty underwear. The perfect choice is a skirt with no underwear at all, but if you are too shy to walk around like this, the best choice would be natural cotton underwear, and breathable clothes. Try to change your underwear at least once a day, and don’t forget to wash it very good and to iron it after (high temperature will kill all the bacteria and yeasts). According to some sources, microwaving your underwear for 5 minutes on high will have the same effect (i.e. sterilization). I tried this and had to by some new underwear, because the old one turned into a black burned mass.

5. Weak or depressed immune system. No it is not all about persons with a compromised immune system due to AIDS. Anyone can suffer from an immune suppression due to a simple cold or due to a common flu. The difference is that HIV infected persons are always more susceptible to yeast infections such are vaginal candidiasis or thrush, and the non-infected population develops this immune suppression only temporary. Often, the flu or the cold need some antibiotic administration and in these cases you’ll be confused what caused the yeast infection first place: the compromised immune system or the antibiotic administration. Whatever is the cause, the result is the same, and we need treatment.

6. Condoms can be some other sources of vaginal yeast infection. It can be brought in by two ways: due to nonoxinol-9, which is a chemical substance that kills sperms and HIV virus. In this case switching to a different spermicide will solve the problem. The second way to get vaginal yeast infection through condom is being allergic to latex. It is quite rare, but you can make sure you are not allergic by temporary switch to special polyurethane condoms. If this helps, you are allergic, if not, search for some other cause of vaginal yeast infection.

7. Foods that we are eating. According to the most holistic healers, yeast containing foods can increase the intensity of Candida symptoms. Scientifically there is not a reason, as long as the type of yeasts used in foods is different from the one that causes your symptoms. Another thing that I just can’t understand is relation between sugar and Candida infection: the holistic theory is that sugar is eliminated in the urine and this cause yeast overgrowth by feeding the Candida. The physiology says that the only case sugar can be found in urine is poorly controlled diabetes. If you have any symptoms of diabetes, you should see a doctor. Another cause of yeast infection symptoms can be considered caffeine. I am a big fan of coffee, and did not notice any difference between time I drink coffee (all of my life) and time I don’t drink anything containing caffeine (the whole day, ha-ha).

8. Injury of the vaginal mucosa. Any injury if vaginal or even vulvar mucosa can be a cause of an yeast infection. This can happen mostly because of insufficient lubrication. So, don’t be shy and try to use some lubricants. Caution: oil based products can damage the latex, of which condoms are made, so use some non-oily sex lubricants.

9. Sexual transmission. As any infection Candida can be transmitted. It can be transmitted by direct contact (as example can serve transmission between lesbians) or by sexual contact, as we all know it: men can develop yeast infection too. And it can show no symptoms in men.
So be sure to use a condom and to keep your sexual toys as clean as it can be.

That is all I have to say about causes of yeast infection symptoms.