Even if strains of yeast can be found in some parts of the body, these do not pose a threat until they begin to multiply. Certainly, a vaginal yeast infection will result to a great deal of discomfort. You can surely avoid these infections if you have an essential idea regarding the causal factors. Listed below are some common causes of yeast infections.
Use of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are extensively used in treating bacterial infections. Even if these drugs can destroy the harmful bacteria and prevent them from proliferating, the useful bacteria are also destroyed in the process. If the number of friendly bacteria will significantly decrease, the balance becomes disrupted and the yeast cells will start to grow rapidly. Disruption of the balance between yeast cells and bacteria will make a person susceptible to vaginal candidiasis or oral thrush. Both are yeast infections in which the former occurs in the vagina while the latter appears in the oral cavity.
Hormonal Imbalance
Moreover, women who suffer from hormonal imbalance are susceptible as well. There may be an extensive range of reasons which will result to hormonal changes among women. It is thought that high levels of estrogen will lead to yeast infections. Interplay of these hormones can be common when a woman is ovulating. Also, the use of hormone therapy or birth control pills can result to predominance of estrogen. Thus, a person can become more susceptible to candidiasis. In pregnant women, high levels of estrogen are known to be among the most prominent causes of yeast infection.
High Blood Sugar Levels
Women who are diagnosed to have diabetes mellitus can also be at risk of developing yeast infections. This is primarily attributed to the effect of diabetes on the pH of the vagina. Normally, the vaginal pH ranges anywhere between 3.8 and 4.5. The friendly bacteria have important roles in the maintenance of this slightly acidic environment and to prevent the yeast cells from growing. Their growth is suppressed because of the acidic environment in the vagina. For women who have diabetes, the secretions in the vagina have high levels of sugar resulting to the increase of vaginal pH. This makes them susceptible to developing yeast infections. But even a woman who is not diabetic can be prone to yeast infections if she consumes foods rich in sugar excessively.
Wearing Very Tight Clothing
A lot of women can suffer from vaginal yeast infections due to wearing of tight clothing. Wearing of clothes which are very tight could irritate the vagina. Excessive sweating can make the area moist making a person more susceptible to infections. Also, yeast cells can multiply if a woman wears damp underclothing. Precautions should be observed in order to keep the genital area clean and dry. Anyone should avoid using perfumed feminine sprays because these will only irritate the area. Cleaning the area with water could be adequate.
