Yeast Infections

Usually caused by a naturally occurring fungus Candida, yeast infections are common in most teenage girls and women between the ages of 16 and 35, although yeast infections can occur in girls as young as 10 or 11 and, less commonly, in women over 35. Contrary to common belief, yeast infections are not exclusively condition affecting women. Men can also be affected, usually after sexual intercourse with an infected partner. For more information visit the Natural Yeast Infection Cure site, or read on to learn more about the condition and how to prevent and treat.

• Common Symptoms of a Yeast Infection
• Causes of a Yeast Infection
• How to avoid a Yeast Infection
• Treating a Yeast Infection

Common Symptoms of a Yeast Infection

• Intense itchiness
• Soreness
• Rash on the outer lips of the vagina
• Burning sensation (particularly during urination)
• Vaginal discharge - not to be confused with discharges many women experience during their period. Vaginal discharges due to a yeast infection are thick almost curd like and best described as smelling like "beer" which is where the yeast description comes from.

The intense itchiness is the hallmark of a yeast infection. If you don't have the itchiness, then any other symptoms are most probably caused by something else and not a yeast infection.

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Causes of a Yeast Infection

Also known as Candidiasis, a Yeast Infection is caused by one of four varieties of the Candida fungus:

1. Candida Albicans
2. Candida Glabrata
3. Candida Tropicalis
4. Candida Krusei

By far the most common--causing nearly 80 percent of vaginal yeast infections--is Candida Albicans. Most people have these organisms in their genital or intestinal tracts, but it's the increase of the fungus that causes the condition to appear.

This fungus increase is usually related to some kind of lowering of your immune system. The fungus increase has also been reported following a significant change in diet habits. Using antibiotics to treat another infection, such as acne or strep throat, could also be the cause.

Certain broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as Penicillin or Tetracyline often kill off the helpful bacteria you have in your genital tract, encouraging the increase of the yeast organism. Certain underlying conditions such as diabetes, have also been shown to contribute to yeast infections.

A general weakening of your immune system also contributes to yeast infections. Your immune system can be compromised due to a number of factors such as:

• Illness
• Other Infections
• Physical Stress
• Mental Stress
• Lack of Sleep
• Poor Nutrition
• Taking Medications (such as birth control)
• Hormonal Imbalances during Pregnancy

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How to Avoid a Yeast Infection

• Wear loose, natural-fiber clothing and underwear with a cotton crotch
• Limit wearing of panty hose, tights, leggings, nylon underwear, and tight jeans
• Don't use deodorant tampons and feminine deodorant sprays, especially if you feel an infection beginning
• Dry off quickly and thoroughly after bathing and swimming--don't stay in a wet swimsuit for hours
• Although not strictly classed as a sexually transmitted disease, yeast infections can be passed during sexual activity, so use of a condom is a good step to take

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Treating a Yeast Infection

Any of you who have ever experienced a Yeast Infection will know how difficult it can be to get rid of this. Various OTC drugs are available, mostly from the "azole" family of drugs. Medications such as Clotrimazole and Miconazole Nitrate have been effective in the short term treatment or prevention of yeast infections.

Recently though, the trend has been towards more natural remedies. Why combat a naturally occurring fungus with an artificial drug when drugs such as Penicillin are already contributing to the infection anyway ?

New studies have shown that chronic yeast infections do not react well to drug treatments, but have a very high success rate using naturally occurring ingredients. Fighting a natural fungus such as Candida is much more effective using the natural "enemy" of the fungus.

One of the most well researched natural remedies for Yeast Infection comes from Sarah Summer's new book. A respected medical researcher, Sarah has helped thousands of women with their recurring yeast infection problems.

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For more information on Sarah's book, please look at Natural Yeast Infection Cures