Yeast Infections Causes

What are the causes of yeast infections?  There are more than one hundred species of candida fungus in existence but only about 10 or so are thought to be related to female and male yeast infections causes.

The naturally occurring fungus that causes most yeast infection is known as Candida albicans. It is located naturally (in small quantities) in the mouth, digestive tract and vagina.

Its occurrence and prevalence is controlled by the acidic balance in your body and it is when the acidity changes that the candida fungus grows quickly and proliferates.  This overgrowth is one of the most common yeast infection causes and it is estimated that up to 75% of women experience some form of yeast infection during their life.

So it is not actually that the candida is present in your body that causes the yeast infection it is the multiplication of it.  The presence and quantity of the candida is controlled by the balance between it and naturally occurring and ‘good’ bacterial flora and if the correct balance exists then yeast infection will usually be prevented.

However, if the balance is disrupted then candida can very quickly reproduce and increase in quantity and therefore become noticeable by yeast infections symptoms.

What Causes Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections can occur due to reasons actually within the body and also due to external factors or triggers.

Within the body there is usually a combination of reasons behind the causes of yeast infection including stress, exhaustion and a weakened immune system, toxic overload and decrease in the body’s pro-biotic bacteria for example.

Externally, there are also a number of factors that relate to the following types of yeast infection:

Oral Yeast Infection (or thrush)

Oral yeast infection can be caused by a side effect reaction to use of antibiotics or drug treatment, for example, chemotherapy.  Another cause is dentures (false teeth) that do not fit very well in the mouth and gums.  Putting dirty and infected objects in the mouth can cause and make the condition worse and can be a direct cause of baby yeast infections.  Unclean objects such cutlery, toys or even poorly cleaned medical equipment.

Vagina Yeast Infection

Yeast infection of the vagina can be caused in a number of ways including poor hygiene such as your toilet wiping technique (a back to front wipe technique can transport ‘bad’ bacteria from rectum to vagina).  Fiber/synthetic clothing is another possible cause and/or raises the risk of vaginal yeast infection as does using sanitary items with added color and/or perfume.

It is thought that the chances of vagina yeast infection are raised during times of pregnancy and having a period as these are times when hormonal changes and body chemistry may be unbalanced.

Easting sugary foods to excess and uncontrolled diabetes can also help to cause yeast infection.

Vaginal douching is another possible cause.  Douching is regarded as being an unhealthy activity and can directly disrupt the chemical balance of the vagina.

Penis Yeast Infection

Although much less common than for women, a man can get a penis yeast infection through penetrative sexual intercourse with a female partner who has a yeast infection.  If you are a man with a foreskin there is more chance of yeast infection underneath the skin as it provides a warm and moist favourable environment for fungal growth.

Similar to female yeast infection other triggers include medication such as antibiotics, poor sugary diet and diabetes and having a low weakened immune system.

Penis yeast infection is also sometimes referred to as male thrush and/or balinitis and you can read about the symptoms by clicking here.

Baby Yeast Infections

Baby yeast infection is also known as baby thrush is most common in babies 8 to 10 weeks old but can occur in younger and older babies as well.  One of the possible causes of yeast infection in babies is antibiotics as these tend to reduce the amount of ‘good’ bacteria that help to regulate and control the amount of candida.

Diaper / nappy rash and proliferation of yeast infection in babies can occur within a moist and warm interface between the body and diaper.  It’s therefore important to change the diaper promptly and regularly to help prevent the infection.

To read more yeast infection articles click here and more on what causes yeast infections.

Note on Causes for Recurring Yeast Infections: There are causes of the initial yeast infection and this should be treated with due respect, consideration and treatment.  The initial cause is not unrelated to the causes for recurring yeast infection but it should be noted that a recurring condition is also related to the type of treatment given and its success or failure.  If you have a recurring infection that your treatment may have been ineffective or worked only in the short term and this is where the benefit of an holistic approach to treatment can be very successful and is the subject of the Yeast Infection No More program.