How Can You Catch A Yeast Infection?

Over 75% of all women will suffer a yeast infection in their lives according to the National Women's Health Information Service. In addition over 50% of all women will have more than one yeast infection. Any woman who has had a yeast infection will tell you it's a more than just an annoyance, it's a real problem.

It's hard to believe but a yeast infection is caused by a tiny one cell fungus called yeast. Although there are many different types of yeast the one most frequently causing infections in people is the species Candida. The yeast infection is not an infection really but an overgrowth where the yeast takes over the vagina or wherever the yeast infection is. The yeast infection can cause pain as well as be annoying.

Now Candida is not a foreigner to the body. It grows normally on and inside the body. Candida especially likes to grow under moist, warm conditions. It can be found growing in the vagina, foreskin of the penis, and in skin folds. Normally the body keeps the level of yeast under control. In the vagina there is a specialized bacteria whose job is to keep the yeast from overgrowing. These bacteria keep the vagina acidic preventing the overgrowth of the yeast.

Unfortunately with things like stress, taking antibiotics, hormone changes of pregnancy and illness the yeast can overtake the body's defenses. This is when the yeast overgrow and the result is what we call a yeast infection.

Symptoms of a yeast infection include itching and burning. There are many different ways of treating a yeast infection. Most prescription medications work decreasing the growing number of yeast. This type of treatment works on the symptoms of the yeast infection, not the cause.

What are some of the causes of yeast infection?

Taking antibiotics is one of the most common ways of getting a yeast infection. The antibiotic kills the helpful bacteria, which normally keeps yeast from overgrowing.

Stress also can lead to yeast overgrowth. Stress taxes our bodies' defenses so the body is less able to fight the yeast overgrowth.

You may look great in tight jeans, but you may be setting yourself up for a yeast infection. Tight jeans hold sweat and body heat next to the body creating a perfect place for yeast to grow. Yeast grows best in warm moist places.

Hormone levels fluctuate wildly during pregnancy. These changing levels can lead to the ideal conditions for yeast to grow and grow leading to a yeast infection.

When you douche you change the normal acidic environment of the vagina. this can make it easy for the yeast to overgrow and cause a vaginal yeast infection. People who are diabetic and often have high or uncontrolled blood sugars are also prone to yeast infections. That's because yeast like to feed on sugar.

Protection against yeast infections is something to discuss with your health care provider. Talk about ways of helping your body protect itself. You'll find natural lifestyle changes can make yeast infections a memory best forgotten.