At some time during their lives, most women will experience an irritating condition such as yeast infection. Vaginal infections are not uncommon in women, and yeast infections are especially prevalent. It seems that pregnancy and yeast infections are a fact of life for many women, you will be more susceptible to yeast infections and at the same time, there may be less you can do to prevent them.

Monilial vaginitis and vaginal candidiasis are additional terms sometimes used to describe yeast infections. A fungus called Candida is thought to be the cause of the disease. Most vaginal yeast infections are caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Candida is a fungus that is normally found in the human body. In fact it occurs naturally in the body and in most cases is not a problem.

During pregnancy, the most common cause of yeast infections is the change in estrogen levels. As the estrogen levels rise during pregnancy, higher levels of glycogen are also produced, which is the body's method of storing glucose. Glycogen causes the area to be more vulnerable to a yeast infection. According to research, glycogen may be the reason that yeast multiplies faster and also permits the fungus to adhere to the vaginal walls.

If you have been taking antibiotics for a period of time, the beneficial bacteria may be destroyed along with the harmful bacteria, allowing fungi to flourish in the body uncontrolled. As fungi grows rapidly and takes over, a yeast infection may develop.

Early signs of infection include itchiness, irritation, soreness, burning, and redness of and around the vagina. Cheese-like liquid discharges might be a symptom of the infection's further development. As this could bring along some pain and is transmittable to others, it is advisable to abstain from sex while suffering from a yeast infection.

A positive thing in treating yeast infections with a pregnant woman is that many of the same treatments used in non pregnant women are available for pregnant woman. The best thing would be to consult with your doctor to be sure you obtain the best yeast infection medication for your condition and know of any side effects. It may be that an over-the-counter cream may be recommended by your doctor. Or, the doctor might have a special treatment program designed for pregnant women.

Statistics suggest that one out of every six women will experience some form of yeast infection during the term of their pregnancy. Whilst this may be alarming, the good news is that yeast infection will not harm your baby. It's hard not to worry but while pregnancy and yeast infection are very common, the condition is generally easy to treat fast and successfully.