Yeast Infection Causes

Candida albicans causes most all yeast infections. In a healthy vagina, there are always a small number of yeast cells that exist. When there is an imbalance or overgrowth of yeast this usually causes a vaginal yeast infection. Also present in the vagina is a bacteria known as Lactobacillus acidophilus. This bacteria is responsible for keeping other organisms at bay, thus preventing other unwanted infections. Other yeast infection causes include:

• Elevated estrogen levels


• Pregnancy


• HRT - hormone replacement therapy


• Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and HIV

Yeast infection is not too difficult to diagnose. However, symptoms can mimic other infections. Determination of a yeast infection as opposed to some other condition is done by gynecological exam and a specimen taken from the affected area.

If you have had a yeast infection in the past and know the symptoms, you can administer self treatment in the privacy of your own home with the use of over-the-counter yeast infection medications. If you are pregnant, notify your obstetrician/gynecologist for treatment.

Medications you can use for yeast infection treatment are called anti fungals, and are available as topical creams and tablets, or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina. There are also anti fungal tablets taken orally. Yeast infection treatment that does not require a prescription can be easily obtained at any drug store or supermarket pharmacy.

Yeast infection requires treatment to eradicate it. It is the discomfort caused that you can do without. In this day and age, there is no reason to suffer with it. Most all treatments come with medication for use inside the vagina, as well as the exterior surrounding area. Relief from the itching and inflammation will be immediate.

It is normal to experience yeast infection while pregnant. To be safe, contact your health care provider if you are having symptoms of yeast infection. Self treatment is not advised during pregnancy.

It would also be a good idea to abstain from sexual intercourse during treatment, but if you must, please be sure to use an alternate method of birth control, particularly if you are using condoms or a diaphragm. The ingredients contained in anti fungal medications can damage the materials used in making these methods of birth control.

If you are plagued with yeast infections more than four times per year, there may be an underlying cause for repeated recurrences, such as diabetes or HIV. You will need to visit or doctor for testing to find out the causes of your repeated yeast infections.

There are ways to stave off the causes of yeast infections and lower your risk of getting them, such as:

• Keeping your genital area as clean and dry as possible allowing the free flow of air


• Wear cotton underwear. Better yet, ditch the underwear all together


• Avoid wearing pants that are just too tight. Pantyhose is also a well known culprit


• Get out of that wet bathing suit immediately after you are done swimming


• Avoid douches and feminine sprays, scented toilet paper, and deodorant tampons


• Avoid inserting things into the vagina that shouldn't be there in the first place, such as unclean, ungloved fingers. A small scratch in the vaginal wall from a dirty fingernail is just asking for a blow out of a fungal yeast infection, or some other sinister bacterial infection

While there are many causes of yeast infections, these causes can be diminished and prevented by knowing what causes them and what your risks are.

By Barb Hicks, RN