What is a Yeast Infection?

Yeast is a type of fungus that thrives in a warm, moist environment, such as the vagina of women and the scrotum of men. When these particular areas become infected with yeast, a person is said to be suffering from a yeast infection. Knowing what causes yeast infections is the best way to prevent them. Therefore, this article will discuss the many various yeast infection causes

Yeast Infection

What Causes a Yeast Infection?

There are two basic categories of causes: direct and indirect. Direct causes are those that will almost always lead to a yeast infection a majority of the time whereas indirect causes are those that can encourage the development of a yeast infection but won’t necessarily lead to one.

Direct yeast infection causes

1. Fungus — As mentioned above, yeast is a type of fungus known as Candida albicans and although yeast is always present in small amounts, it becomes a problem when it begins to rapidly multiple. This rapid growth of yeast is medically called candidaisis or a yeast infection in laymen’s terms.
2. Weakened Immune System — A person, who has been ill, is not getting enough sleep, is not eating right, or is attempting to do too much will probably end up with a weakened immune system. This is a major cause of yeast infections because the body cannot properly maintain the appropriate levels of yeast in the vaginal area.
3. Stress — Although stress itself can’t technically cause a yeast infection, it can lead to a weakened immune system which is a major cause of yeast infections.
4. Hormones — Every hormone in the body works to regulate some aspect of our functioning, so when a person has too few or too many hormones, it would stand to reason that problems would develop. One of those problems is yeast infections. This is especially true during the end of a woman’s menstruation cycle.
5. Birth Control — Almost all forms of birth control contain hormones, which as discussed above is a cause of yeast infections.
6. Pregnancy — It is very common for women to suffer from reoccurring yeast infections during pregnancy because there are a surge of hormones within the body.
7. Sexual Intercourse — Often time’s yeast infections are overlooked as being a sexually transmitted disease (STD) but this can be passed from one person to another via bodily fluids such as semen. Also, engaging in sexual activity without any type of vaginal lubrication can make the condition worse.
8. Antibiotics — Unfortunately, if an antibiotic is needed, there is no way to prevent the impending yeast infection that accompanies it. In fact, this is the leading cause of yeast infections among American women. Luckily, this type of yeast infection is easily treatable and often times will clear up once the antibiotics have been stopped.
9. Diabetes — Similar to antibiotics, there is no way to prevent this cause either. Simply being diabetic or having continuously high levels of blood sugar will cause yeast to grow.

Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

Indirect yeast infection causes

• An environment that is hot and humid is ideal for yeast growth.
• Poor nutrition and/or a significant, rapid change in the diet.
• Wearing tight, damp, poorly ventilated clothing for prolonged periods of time.
• Exposure to large amounts of semen or sperm within a short period of time.
• Douching — This practice is known to wash away all the healthy secretions and the healthy bacteria in the vagina, leaving it open to the growth of unhealthy bacteria and infections.
• Wiping from the back to the front after urinating or having a bowel movement. Or if wiping from the front to the back, it is done improperly.
• Sweating increases the body’s pH level which can result in an ideal environment being created for the growth of yeast.
• Menopause because of all the hormonal changes that occur in the body during this time.
• Steroid based prescription drugs such as Prednisone.
• An overall poor personal hygiene regimen.
• Using perfumed hygiene sprays and products.
• Injuries that haven’t been properly healed or cared for.
• Allergic reactions.
• HIV infections.

Yeast Infections are only a woman’s problem, right?

No! Men are not immune from yeast infections. As mentioned above, yeast infections can be spread during sexual intercourse meaning that it can in fact be passed from a woman to a man. As a matter of fact, between 12 and 15% of men will develop symptoms associated with a yeast infection after having sex with an infected partner. Additionally, the nature of the scrotum and the groin region is a breeding ground for yeast as it is always warm, dark, and poorly ventilated. Add all of that to the fact that men sweat considerably more than women, it isn’t surprising that men suffer from this condition. However, men don’t usually develop symptoms like women do — which is why there is the misconception that men don’t get yeast infections.