What is the cause of vaginal yeast infections? Some people mistakenly think a yeast infection is a sexually transmitted disease, but it is an infection. Some men think they are immune to a yeast infection, which only happens to women. In actuality, every body normally has small amounts of yeast on their skin, and anyone can get a yeast infection.
People have yeast on their skin in relatively minor amounts. Because of its nature, fungi congregate, live and reproduce in warm, moist areas, including the vagina. The vaginal areas of anywhere from 20% to 50% of women house yeast. These numbers include women who are not sexually active.
Yeast fungi, parasitic by nature, are microscopic organisms, who rely on human hosts for sustenance, absorbing human nutrients. In an infection, fungi reproduction explodes into an imbalanced population in the vaginal area because the vaginal environment has shifted in their favor.
When a yeast infection occurs, the production of fungi happen too fast. This causes the body to become imbalanced. Because yeast fungi are parasites, living on human nutrients, when someone has imbalances in their body, this feeds the fungi, which grow. For men, who may have 12% to 15% of symptoms, yeast growth occurs because of lowered immunity. Consequently, a man with lowered immunity who exposes himself to a yeast infection, will become infected.
For those who do not practice safe sex, using contraceptive barriers such as condoms, a cycle of infection may occur. A yeast-infected person who has sex with someone without protection, infects that person. In a chain reaction, or in circular fashion, either person who does not get treated or wear protection, keeps the infection growing.
In trying to determine what causes or contributes to a yeast explosion, many factors may be worth considering. Changes to the body such as chemical, hormonal, biochemical, pharmaceutical or personal changes to the normal vaginal environment might cause a yeast infection. A body that is not healthy can cause or facilitate an imbalance in yeast growth.
Personal habits, including improper diet, poor hygiene techniques, and how a person elects to ventilate the groin area, can contribute to yeast infections. For example, when using the restroom, wiping from rear to front risks introducing bacteria and promoting yeast growth. A diet with excess sugar, yeast and acid can facilitate yeast sustenance. Clothing that constricts the groin area for poor ventilation, such that bathing suits, pantyhose, and undergarments are hot and moist, or dirty, can provide an incubator promoting yeast growth.
The vaginal area may attempt to counteract chemical or biochemical changes in the body. For example, yeast infections can occur upon introduction of perfumes, sprays and douches into the vagina. Yeast may respond in an allergic reactions, such an allergic reaction to latex condoms. Birth control pills, menstruation menopause, pregnancy and other hormonal factors all incite a change to the vagina’s natural biochemistry balance, and can cause a yeast infection.
If a person is in not healthy, he or she can be predisposed to vaginal yeast infections. People with diabetes, for instance, have high levels of sugar in urine, which can promote yeast growth. Chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, immune system drugs, and other drugs create or promote yeast infections.
Recognize that the vaginal environment has a uniquely balanced biochemistry. This informs questions concerning what is the cause of vaginal yeast infections.
There are many yeast infection home remedies that can begin soothing and healing immediately. A yeast infection home remedy often uses simple ingredients, usually found in the home.