A Vaginal Yeast Infection Can Be A Pain

If you are a woman who has ever experienced a vaginal yeast infection, then you know how painful it can be. The intense itching, burning and pain can make you want to scream at times.

You would do just about anything for relief. It is important to catch a yeast infection early and start treatment to avoid these symptoms. If you have never had a yeast infection, this article will teach you what can cause a vaginal yeast infection.

A vaginal yeast infection is caused by an organism called Candida Albicans. When the balance of your body’s natural defenses is interrupted, yeast will take the opportunity to grow. The vagina is the perfect medium because it is warm, dark and moist. But what can cause an upset in the body’s natural defense mechanism?

The most common culprit in upsetting the system and causing a yeast infection in women is antibiotics. The antibiotics go to work killing the bacteria that is making you sick, but at the
same time it is killing the good bacteria in your body that keep the yeast under control. So once you finish your antibiotic and are feeling better, you may develop a yeast infection and have to start treatment for it.

Another cause of a yeast infection is a change in hormone levels. Many women will experience a yeast infection when they start on birth control pills or if they become pregnant. Some women report having symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection around the time their period is supposed to start. The good news here is the symptoms usually go away after their period ends.

Diabetes and other diseases that affect the hormone levels in your body can be a trigger for yeast infections. These diseases change the chemical composition of the vagina allowing the yeast to grow out of control. If you are having recurring yeast infections, talk to your doctor about getting a work up.

There are things that you can do to prevent a yeast infection from happening. Eat yogurt daily. This will help to replace the good bacteria in your body that keeps the yeast under control. Wear only cotton underwear and not synthetics. This will allow airflow to the vagina and allow moisture to evaporate. Change immediately out of wet workout clothes or bathing suits. Yeast loves a moist environment, so it is important not to remain in wet clothes. Make sure you dry the vaginal area thoroughly after a bath or shower. Frequent douching is not necessary and will only upset the natural chemical balance of the vagina. Be careful with feminine sprays or even deodorant sanitary pads. The chemicals in these can cause the vaginal area to become irritated and make it susceptible to developing a yeast infection.

Most importantly, if you do develop a yeast infection, do not have sex until you get it treated. You can give the yeast infection to your partner and he can pass it back to you after you have been treated. This could be an endless cycle of reinfection. If you do have sex when you have a yeast infection, get your partner treatment also.