Causes of Yeast Infection

What causes the yeast infection?

 
The fungus Candida albicans is kept under control by other bacteria in the vagina. Since these bacteria help to keep a person healthy these are often called the “friendly” bacteria. The concentration of yeast fungus can increase only when yeast is introduced from out side or the friendly bacteria reduce in number.

Antibiotics and some other medications aim to kill the bacteria that might be causing an infection elsewhere in the body. However, the antibiotics results in killing even the friendly bacteria. With nothing left to check the growth of the fungus, the result is the excess growth of the fungus causing the yeast infection. Use of birth control pills and/or steroids are known to be conducive to a yeast infection growth. The medicines or body composition can alter the chemical balance of the vagina, which results in the overgrowth of the fungus.

Pregnancy and menstruation can also sometimes result in the imbalance of the bacteria and fungus resulting in a yeast infection.

Diabetes or a weak immune system in general can often cause yeast infection as the friendly bacteria are less in number when the immune system is weak.

Yeast can also be introduced from outside into the vagina. Exposure to dirty restrooms can cause vaginal yeast infection. Sexual intercourse with a partner having yeast infection can cause a yeast infection.

Therefore, the common causes of yeast infection are:

1. Pregnancy or menstruation

2. Diabetes

3. Obesity

4. Weak immune system

5. Birth control pills or steroids

6. Sperm

7. Exposure to yeast in dirty restrooms

Women who have diabetes or who are obese are at an increased risk for yeast infection. Women who are taking antibiotics or birth control pills are also at an increased risk.

The medicines or body composition can alter the chemical balance of the vagina, which results in the overgrowth of the fungus.