What Causes A Yeast Infection
Yeast: A Necessary Fungus
Yes, you read that correctly. Yeast is necessary for our bodies, and is always present in a small concentration. However, too much of this fungus will lead to an infection. It is important to understand what causes a yeast infection in order to avoid this painful condition in the future.
Shut Down Yeast's Habitat
Yeast lives in warm, damp areas of the body. If you want to really slice your chances of getting a yeast infection, you should make sure you always wear clean, dry underwear. Tight panties made of synthetic materials are the absolute worst choice if you want to avoid yeast infections. Instead, wear cotton; it breathes much better. You should wear clean panties each day.
Women who do not control their diabetes well enough are more likely to get this condition. This is directly related to the sugar in the urine. Even if you do not have diabetes, it is a good idea to cut back on your sugar intake.
Scented toilet paper, tampons, and feminine deodorant sprays can also cause yeast infections. After exercising or swimming, it is a good idea to change out of the wet or sweaty clothing.
Don't Kill the Yeast-Fighters
This is the tricky part. If you take antibiotics for another kind of infection, you will kill not only the offending bacteria, but the bacteria that would ordinarily get rid of much of the yeast. If you use some types of soap, such as the antibacterial kind, you may be killing these "good" germs in your quest to deodorize. Do not use soap on your vaginal area; the dyes and perfumes can really mess up your pH balance and harm the sensitive tissues. Clothing detergents can cause the same kind of problem, so choose your detergent with care. Do not use douches, as they get rid of the good bacteria. Every time you use antibiotics or antibacterial deodorants, you are clearing the way for yeast to take over and cause an infection.
Other Causes
HIV can also allow yeast infections to occur because it weakens the immune system. If a woman's vagina is injured, a yeast infection may follow. Taking steroids can also heighten your risk of getting this irritating condition.
A woman who has taken chemotherapy can also get a yeast infection. Immunosuppressive drugs are sometimes useful, but they will contribute to your chances of getting a yeast infection. Drugs that belong to the cortisone family will also put you at a greater risk of getting a yeast infection.
Women who are pregnant or on their period are also more likely to get a yeast infection than they are at other times. Whether you wear pads or tampons during your period, you should change them frequently. Stress and sickness can also have a marked impact on your chances of getting this infection.
While some of the factors that can cause a yeast infection cannot be prevented, many of them can be eradicated or reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
What causes yeast infection? Do I have it? Here are my symptoms, what do you think it is?
I've probably had this infection for at least a month or two and I wasn't so sure what it was. I am experiencing - White discharge that tends to stick to the walls of my labia (sp?) Itchy here and there, and that is pretty much it. I have one sex partner which is my husband and we both have been faithful to one another. I have douched before and I have used condoms. Could these items be causing this? Should I purchase some Vagisil when I can? Thanks in advance!-
ANSWER:
Sounds like a yeast infection.For future, reference, douching is bad, and may have caused the problem.
If it's your first infection, go to the doctor to rule out other factors. Otherwise, some OTC yeast medications will probably work.
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QUESTION:
what causes yeast infection and what can happen to a male who has sex with a female with yeast infection?
My friend has it and she's pregnant... is it common for pregnant women to get a yeast infection?-
ANSWER:
A yeast infection is caused by little fungi (yeast) that thrive in warm, moist environments. The are always in there, but the vagina has helpful flora and pH balancing functions to keep their numbers in line. Occasionally something goes awry, and the yeast population grows and you get an infection. They are more common in pregnancy, although she should inform her doctor (gestational diabetes makes you prone to yeast infections)A man who has sex with a woman who has a yeast infection may get infected, or he may not. If he does, his symptoms will be like jock itch, if he develops symptoms at all. He can use the same sort of antifungal over-the-counter medicines that his partner uses... and he should take medication if he shows any symptoms, or his partner has recurring infections, because you can pass them back and forth between you.
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QUESTION:
What causes yeast infection? also tell me about STDs?
Why does yeast infection beside a person keep him/herself clean all the time? N what causes std,when a person only have sex with only one partner/husband?-
ANSWER:
changes in your hormones can cause a yeast infection there very common around the time of your period or when you start birth control. antibiotics can also cause them as they kill off all your good bacteria. there very common and most women get them at some stage in there life. you can catch an std from someone who has one. so if you've both been faith full and never have had a std then threes no reason why should get on. a yeast infection is classed as a std cause you can pass it on but its not the only way you can get one and its easily treated.
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QUESTION:
What is a yeast infection, causes, and ways to get rid of them?
Just wondering. What are symptoms of a yeast infection? Also what are ways you could get it, I'm concerned I might have it but i'm not sure. I'm not sexually active, in fact i'm a virgin. And is there any ways to get rid of it? Most likely something that doesn't involve prescriptions?Reasons why I think I have is there is this substances that it on the egde of my vagina. Almost like gainy feeling, it has a yellowish colour.
Someone please help? I'm really concerned. :
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ANSWER:
Itching, burning, and malodorous discharge (usually white in color and not very liquid-like) are the common symptoms. You can get it from wearing clothing/underwear that doesn't allow your vagina to "breathe", having sex with someone who has one, having sex (including receiving oral) without properly cleaning up afterward, eating a lot of sugar/white flours, altering your vaginal pH, douching, using too much soap near your vagina, and taking antibiotics. You can get rid of it using OTC meds (like Monistat) or vinegar tablets. For the latter, take 3 apple cider vinegar tablets twice daily (with meals) for 3-5 days. Wear loose clothing, avoid sugars/white flours, and take acidophillus if it's available for at least a week.
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QUESTION:
What causes a yeast infection?
So i think i have a yeast infection..I have burning, itching and a white watery discharge.. I've read that this is most common in pregnant women, i have also been vomiting (my favorite food, Mexican, causes it most of the time), restlessness, fatigued etc...I've taken a few pregnancy test though and they came back negative. I have been taking amoxicillian and hydrocodone..i know this could cause an infection to. What do you think?-
ANSWER:
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