I hope you are doing well and finding some useful information in my
newsletters.
In this newsletter I am going to discuss some causes of chronic
yeast infections.
Since there is little a doctor can do to diagnose a yeast
infection, many people must work in reverse and figure out if it is
possible that they have chronic Candidiasis. There are several
causes associated with the condition.
There are 2 good reasons to learn a bit about the causes of vaginal
yeast infections. First, if you have recurring yeast infections,
you can figure out what's causing them and then work to prevent
them, rather than just working to kill the yeast every time they
take over. Second, if you know what kinds of things cause you to
get yeast infections, you can be alert for symptoms and treat them
early on with milder do-it-yourself remedies, rather than
bombarding your body with drugs.
Vaginal yeast infections are caused by Candida Albicans which,
along with a few types of bacteria, are normally present in
relatively small numbers in your body. Sometimes the yeast
multiplies rapidly and takes over, causing a full-fledged yeast
infection. This can be due to a change in the vaginal environment,
injury, sexual transmission, or HIV. Common environmental
disruptions that favor yeast include increased pH, increased heat
and moisture, allergic reactions, elevated sugar levels, hormonal
fluxes, and reductions in the populations of bacteria that are
normally present. These can generally be traced to a few categories
of culprits:
1. Antibiotics are probably the leading cause of vaginal yeast
infections. Regardless of why we take an antibiotic, it works to
kill bacteria in all parts of our body. Let's say you take an
antibiotic to cure your sinus infection. The antibiotic kills the
unwanted bacteria in your sinuses but can also kill the "good"
bacteria in other parts of your body, which upsets the balance of
your vaginal ecosystem, allowing the yeast to take over.
(Antibacterial deodorant soap can have the same effect.) Most
women only have this problem when they take a few specific types of
antibiotics or when they take a prolonged antibiotic treatment.
Others get yeast infections every time they take antibiotics.
2. Clothing: Yeast flourishes in non-cotton, tight, or dirty
clothes that trap heat and moisture. Your safest bet is unbleached,
undyed cotton underwear and breathable clothes.
3. Chemicals, such as inks, dyes, and perfumes, can trigger
allergic reactions that lead to yeast infections. The classic
example is commercial douches which have no benefits and are
definitely harmful to the vaginal environment and your health. You
know those odor-causing bacteria that their products help you get
rid of? Well, they're the same bacteria that kill the yeast in your
vagina! On top of that, soaps are not only disruptive to the
vaginal environment, but can damage your mucus membranes. Other,
less obvious sources of nasty chemicals are colored and perfumed
toilet papers, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners. Additives
in bubble baths or bath salts, scented tampons or sanitary pads, or
(heaven forbid) feminine deodorant sprays, can similarly trigger
yeast infections.
4. Condoms can promote yeast infections in two different ways.
First, a lot of condoms come packaged with a lubricant that
contains nonoxynol-9, a spermicidal that may kill the HIV virus. A
friend of mine has been insisting for years that she gets a yeast
infection every time she comes in contact with the stuff. Sure
enough, several recent studies have shown that nonoxynol-9 is
linked to yeast infections. If you suspect this is your problem,
try using a condom that doesn't have a spermicidal lubricant and
use a different spermicidal or additional barrier protection.
Condoms can also cause yeast infections if you are allergic to
latex, although this is less common.
5. Diet: Some people say that cutting down on yeast-containing
foods helps lessen the intensity or frequency of vaginal yeast
infections. It is hard to understand how this could matter, because
the kind of yeast that's found in foods like bread or beer is not at
all like the yeast found in the vagina. However, high levels of
sugar in your diet can contribute to yeast infections by elevating
sugar levels in your urine, giving the yeast more food. Women with
poorly controlled diabetes get frequent yeast infections because of
sugar in the urine.
6. Hormones, both naturally-occurring and artificially introduced,
can affect yeast. For example, pregnant women are particularly
prone to yeast infections. Many women taking contraceptive pills
experience regular yeast infections as their hormone levels
fluctuate. I was on the pill for a while, and got a yeast infection
every single month, right before my period. Also, whether or not
you're on the pill, yeast generally doesn't like the pH of
menstrual blood, so mild yeast infections will often go away during
your period. However, the yeast will sometimes rebound as soon as
your period is over. Likewise, steroids used in the treatment of
disorders like arthritis, asthma, or lupus can contribute to yeast
infections.
When you think about viruses and bacterial infections, there is
generally one root cause for the problem. You pick up a bug
somewhere, it gets into your system and multiplies. With Candida,
there are so many factors that enter the equation that it is
difficult to pin down.
There is also a connection between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and
yeast infections. Medical professionals are starting to accept that
the buildup of yeast in the body may be the cause of a host of
medical problems. Research is proving that Candida may play a part
in a variety of illnesses and conditions that were previously
thought to be caused by other factors.
In my book "Yeast Free Life" there is specific information that can
help you figure out if you or a loved one is currently suffering
from chronic yeast infections and ways to deal with the condition in
an all natural way!
This book also sheds light on lifestyle changes that can set you on
the road to better health - minus a systemic yeast problem.
You can find out more here:
I hope this information has been useful to you...and I will be in
touch soon with the next installment, which covers...
The treatments available for yeast infections
Bye for now.
Sarah
Box 4464, Huntsville, AL 35815 USA
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