Most women have experienced a yeast infection at one time or another. While these conditions are generally not serious, the uncomfortable symptoms like itching, burning and odor lead women to seek treatments that are quick and effective. The good news is that there are plenty of these to choose from at home, at the pharmacy and at your doctor’s office. But what are the yeast infection causes and how can we prevent them?

Why a Yeast Infection Occurs

Before discussing yeast infection causes, it is helpful to understand what a healthy body looks like. Normally, the vaginal area consists of a number of good yeast cells that are kept under control by good bacteria called Lactobacillus acidophilus. When this delicate balance gets disrupted, another type of yeast called Candida albican takes over and the result is a yeast infection. The question then becomes what are the yeast infection causes that create this environment that allows the Candida yeast to thrive?

There are a number of possibilities when it comes to yeast infection causes. One is antibiotics that are taken for other types of infection. Since the goal of antibiotics is to kill bacteria, they can take out the good as well as the bad. Less Lactobacillus acidophilus in your system can result in a potential yeast infection. This is why it is a good idea to eat yogurt daily while on antibiotics. Yogurt contains the acidophilus, allowing your body to replenish its supply.

Other potential yeast infection causes can include hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy or menopause. Health issues like diabetes or those that compromise the immune system like HIV infection. These might be other times to take special measures to prevent your yeast infections by eating a daily dose of yogurt and keeping your vaginal area clean and dry at all times. By understanding yeast infection causes, you can be on the road to prevention of this uncomfortable condition.

One of the best ways to prevent many of the yeast infection causes is by keeping the vaginal area dry. This means that you should wear cotton underwear as opposed to synthetic fabrics, and change out of wet swimming suits and sweaty workout clothes as soon as possible. Sleeping in boxers at night can also be a good way to keep the area dry and allow air to circulate, which will help to prevent yeast infections as well. By learning all you can about yeast infection causes; you can go far in preventing this uncomfortable and often annoying condition.

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