For any woman who has suffered a yeast infection, they will tell you it's uncomfortable and more than just an annoyance. The National Women's Health Information Service says over 75% of all women will suffer at least one yeast infection in their life. The rate is over 50% for another yeast infection.

The cause of yeast infection is a tiny one celled fungus called yeast. There are many types of yeast but the one most frequently causing yeast infections is the species Candida. When it overgrows it can cause a vaginal infection but it also can cause a mouth infection as well. A yeast infection is not only annoying, it become painful as well.

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.

Circumstances happening in life can overtake the body's normal defense system. It may be stress, taking antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, or the hormonal changes of pregnancy. When this happens the yeast do not have the normal check and balances system. They 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?

You take an antibiotic for a strep throat or urinary tract infection. When you do you kill not only the bad bacteria but the helpful bacteria which prevents you from getting a yeast infection. Without the guarding effect of the helpful bacteria your body is unable to stop the yeast from overgrowing.

When you are stressed, you tax your body's defense system. With the body trying to combat the effect of stress it is unable to fight off the overgrowth of yeast.

Tight jeans can also lead to yeast infections. Tight jeans causes an environment where body sweat and heat is held tightly against the body. Since yeast likes warm moist environments, tight jeans can set up the body for a yeast infection.

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.

Yeast infection prevention is a topic you should discuss with your health care provider. There are many natural ways you can use to change your life and lifestyle to prevent yeast infections from happening.

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