What Are the Causes of Reccuring Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections are common in women. The fungus called candida albicans forms in warm, moist areas of the body, including the vagina. This vaginal infection occurs in 70 percent of women, and it can be transmitted to a partner, but it is not a sexually transmitted disease. Yeast infections can be caused by several factors, including stress, oral contraceptives, suppressed immune system and antibiotic treatment. A typical yeast infection can be treated and cured within a week. Some yeast infections clear up with over-the-counter products, but severe or recurring yeast infections should be treated by a medical professional.

Who Can Get Yeast Infections?

• Anyone can get a yeast infection. Men, women and children are all susceptible to yeast infections. A yeast infection can develop in the mouth, rectum or vagina. When men or women who are sexual partners develop a yeast infection, it is a good idea for both partners to get treated so that they do not keep infecting each other.
  Babies can get yeast infections that are often mistaken for diaper rash. These occur when the skin is warm, moist and irritated from being covered by a diaper and cannot breathe properly. Thrush, which is a yeast infection in the mouth and throat, is common in babies. Children can get thrush from other children in a child care setting, or it can develop from taking certain antibiotics and medications.

Food

• Food can be a factor in the cause and prevention of yeast infections. Eating a diet high in sugar, refined flour and processed foods may attribute to yeast infection problems. Although it has not been proven that food causes yeast infections, there are certain foods that you should stay away from if you have recurring yeast infections.
  Sugar: Yeast eats sugar, and if you keep feeding the yeast, it will continue to thrive. Some foods that you may eat to help treat an infection, like yogurt, may contain high amounts of sugar, so read the labels when choosing food.
  Processed foods: These foods contain many harmful ingredients and should be avoided, especially when your immune system needs to be strong in order to fight off infection. Basic natural foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains are a better choice.
  Pasta: The refined flour that is in most pastas can feed the yeast fungus and cause it to grow.
  Mushrooms: These are a type of fungus themselves, and they tend to help the yeast to grow more rapidly.

Birth Control Pills

• Birth control pills or oral contraceptives tend to raise estrogen levels in the body, which in turn lowers the good bacteria in the vagina that usually fights off the yeast and prevents it from growing. The higher the estrogen level, the higher the risk of yeast infection problems.

Tight Clothing

• Tight clothing is a well-known cause for yeast infections. Wearing tight-fitting clothing can cause skin to be irritated, and the yeast fungi thrives on irritated skin. To avoid yeast infections, wear clothing that fits properly. Damp undergarments caused by perspiration in the vaginal area and other clothing like swimsuits can also cause yeast infections. A damp swimsuit or undergarments on a hot day can be a breeding ground for yeast, so you should change out of damp clothing as soon as possible.

Diabetes and Other Immune System Disorders

• Women with diabetes have higher glucose levels in their blood, and the yeast feeds off of the excess glucose, which causes the fungi cells to multiply. People suffering from other immune system disorders are more prone to yeast infections because the good bacteria that fights off the infection is depleted due to their weak immune system.

Conclusion

• While there are many known causes of yeast infections, there is not one treatment for every person who suffers from them. Women who are prone to severe yeast infections should limit themselves when it comes to the factors mentioned above and consult their physician for more ways to control their yeast infection problems.