Women tend to be more likely to get vaginal yeast infections if their bodies are under stress from poor diet, lack of sleep, illness, or when they are pregnant or taking antibiotics. Women with immune-suppressing diseases such as diabetes and HIV infection also are at increased risk.
Certain antibiotics, diabetes, a week immune system, and normal changes in your hormone levels can lead to yeast infections. Many treatments for yeast infections, like creams, suppositories, vaginal tablets, or oral medicines have to be prescribed by a nurse or doctor.
Stress compromises your immune system. That's why many women develop a yeast infection when they're going through stressful, major life changes like planning a wedding, getting a divorce, facing unemployment, or moving.
“Not showering after a workout, or wearing tight-fitting clothing that holds moisture close to the body can lead to a yeast infection,” he says. Because yeast feeds on sugar, people who have diabetes and uncontrolled high blood sugar are more prone to these infections.
Yeast thrives in a warm, moist environment, which makes the vagina a prime location for growth, but you can counter these conditions by wearing breathable cotton underwear. I recommend not wearing underwear to bed while you're trying to kick an infection.
CARD9 deficiency is a genetic immune disorder characterized by susceptibility to fungal infections like candidiasis, which is caused by the yeast fungus Candida.
Don't wear nylon or other fabric that holds body heat and moisture close to the skin. Try sleeping without underwear. Don't scratch. Relieve itching with a cold pack or a cool bath.
OTC Treatment
Fortunately, most yeast infections are not serious. Left untreated, yeast infections will usually go away on their own, but the severe itching can be hard to tolerate for some.
Other than itching and being dried out, it can lead to or exaggerate yeast infections. The vagina is a delicate ecosystem and if something as serious as dehydration throws it off, the PH balance can be thrown off and a domino effect of complications can be set into motion.
The possible causes of infection are numerous. They range from changes in the physical environment, like sitting for too long in a wet bathing suit, to changes in life circumstances, like severe stress or lack of sleep. They are also more common during pregnancy and after a course of antibiotics.
Girls can have vaginal infections for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with sexual contact — such as stress, for example. Even if you're not having intercourse, fingering and oral sex can lead to infection. Ask your boyfriend to wash his hands before touching your genitals.
As a rule, showers are better than baths when you're in the process of treating a yeast infection. If you do take a sitz bath with Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, boric acid, or any other home remedy while you're treating your yeast infection, don't soak for more than 10 minutes at a time.
Warm, damp towels are an ideal environment for microbial growth, including bacteria, mold and yeast.
A yeast infection can happen if your skin gets damaged. Yeast can also “overgrow” in warm or humid conditions. An infection can also happen if you have a weak immune system. Taking antibiotics can also cause an overgrowth of yeast.
Thrush is usually caused by a yeast fungus called candida albicans. It is not a sexually transmitted infection. Candida albicans usually lives harmlessly on the skin and in the mouth, gut and vagina. Occasionally there can be too much yeast and it can cause symptoms.
Sex, pregnancy, taking antibiotics, being run down or stressed, a change in diet, having a weakened immune system or diabetes are all common causes of thrush. It can also be caused by wearing tight fitting underwear or using perfumed body washes on the intimate area.
Mild yeast infections often clear up in just a few days, but more severe infections can last up to two weeks.
“Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the most researched probiotic, has been found to be beneficial in the prevention of yeast infection,” explains Dr. Goje.
Women that suffer from recurrent yeast infections - four or more in one year - require special treatment. A yeast infection is one of the most common types of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina.
The best treatment to get rid of most yeast infections comes down to medicated creams or a pill. Studies show that these creams and the oral pill, fluconazole, both work more than 90% of the time. Uncomplicated yeast infections usually respond to treatment within a couple of days.
Plain yogurt that contains Lactobacillus and no natural sweeteners might help treat the infection and ease the symptoms. But be sure to only use plain yogurt. Yogurt that contains added sugar will likely make the infection and its symptoms worse because sugar causes the yeast to multiply.
You might have a complicated yeast infection if: You have severe signs and symptoms, such as extensive redness, swelling and itching that leads to tears, cracks or sores. You have four or more yeast infections in a year. Your infection is caused by a less typical type of fungus.
Sometimes, when estrogen levels go back down during menstruation, the yeast infection will clear up. Since hormonal balance can affect the likelihood of getting a yeast infection, it's less likely — though still possible — to get a yeast infection before puberty or after menopause.