Causes of Yeast Infection
Ask any woman who has had a yeast infection why they got it and they seldom will know. But she will be able to tell you about the symptoms, the discomfort and most likely knows how to cure a yeast infection. Men and women alike often know the cure for the current flare up, but to be able to cure yeast infections for life you really need to understand the causes. For the uninformed, not understanding the source of their yeast infection will doom them to getting it repeatedly.
A yeast infection or Candida is simply an irritation of mucous membranes in the body, commonly affecting the vagina, intestines, skin or mouth. An infection causes swelling and irritation of the areas affected. The fungus known as candidiasis is the cause of yeast infections when an over-abundance is present. The candida family of fungi also causes thrush infections in the mouth and vaginitis.
What is the 411 about the Causes of Yeast Infections?
You must understand what causes yeast infections to stop getting them in the future. The candida fungus is a fungus of “opportunity,” meaning that the fungus attacks a vulnerable area of the body. Women taking antibiotics or steroid medications are often the major target of yeast infections. Medications like these often cause the vagina to develop too much candida fungus. Actually, candida is a fungus commonly found in the vagina; it’s only when the fungus explodes into an over-abundance that it causes a yeast infection. For some women they must use antibiotics and steroids to remain healthy. Women who know they’re prone to yeast infections when they must take these medications head off a candida overflow by using a yeast infection medication at the same time.
Hot weather and damp underclothing or swimsuits can also cause yeast infections. The candida fungus thrives in warm, damp environments. Perspiration in the vaginal area and/or wearing a damp swimsuit provides everything candida needs to flourish. To prevent yeast infections in hot, damp weather, change your underwear if it feels too damp, use wetness-absorbing powder in your underclothes, and change out of your swimsuit into dry clothing when you’re not swimming.
A well-known cause of yeast infections among women is wearing shorts or jeans that are too tight. Vaginal irritation is caused by the clothing being too tight. Candida flourishes on the irritated vaginal skin. Once the irritation begins, so does the full-blown yeast infection. Women are advised to wear clothing that fits properly and forgo vanity for common sense.
There are other types of irritations that can be the source of yeast infections taking hold. Some women are especially sensitive to bath products that contain a lot of soapy suds. Although many of these products smell nice and can make the skin feel soft, they aren’t worth the risk for many women. If you know that certain bath products cause irritations in which candida thrives, simply avoid them. An option to turn to is to try a milk-bath product that only has a small amount of soap in it.
Finally, it’s vitally important that women do not use douche products. Most physicians agree that using douches is not helpful or necessary for maintaining vaginal health. Nature does that for you and does not need assistance from harmful douche products.