What Are the Causes of Recurrent Yeast Infections or Vaginitis?

Recurrent yeast infections can be uncomfortable, annoying and embarrassing. Many women suffer from recurrent yeast infections or vaginitis because they don't know what the root cause of these infections is. Understanding how to best prevent such infections from happening in the first place is the first step. Often times, we invite an infection without meaning to.

Feminine Hygiene

• Sometimes women invite infections and make symptoms worse in an attempt to get rid of an infection or prevent one from occurring.
  It's important to avoid douching. Wash with a mild soap if you want to use soapy water on the vaginal area. Most experts recommend only rinsing with water. Rinsing an infected vagina often can help ease symptoms.

Causes of Recurrent Infection

• Fatigue, stress, hormonal fluctuations, increased moisture and warmth in the vaginal area, not drying the vaginal area properly after bathing, menopause, perfumed personal hygiene sprays and birth control pills can cause recurrent yeast infections.

Symptoms

• Symptoms vary from person to person, however, some of the common symptoms include vaginal burning, sexual discomfort, strong vaginal odor, vaginal irritation, itching and burning sensation of the vulva, painful urination and swollen or reddened vulva.
  Some women might also experience vaginal discharge, which might be a milky-white substance that is similar in consistency to cottage cheese.

How Infectious Is It?

• A yeast infection can be spread from partner to partner. In some cases, a woman will develop a yeast infection and will unknowingly pass it to her sexual partner. Men can have a yeast infection on their genitals as well, but might not experience the same symptoms. By the time a male realizes he has an infection, the symptoms can be much more extreme than with a woman.
  If you suspect that your sexual partner might have a yeast infection, that you are passing on an infection or that you have had sexual contact with someone while you were infected, you should both seek a five- to seven-day treatment. Men can treat their penis and genital areas with the same topical cream a woman uses to treat her own yeast infection.

Treatment Options

• You can use over-the-counter treatments, however, these can be costly. Even off-brands could cost $10 or more. Some women swear by eating plain yogurt every day in order to ward off yeast infections. Garlic and apple cider vinegar are also excellent treatment options. You can take a bath in warm water with apple cider vinegar added. Some women wrap a toe of garlic in cheesecloth and insert into their vagina overnight as a treatment option. There are many home remedies, which can be very effective.