Ask any woman who has had a yeast infection and they will tell you it's a real problem. And for those women who repeatedly have yeast infections it becomes more than an annoyance. Yeast infections are fairly common, in fact according to the National Women's Health Information Service 75% of women have at least one yeast infection in their lives. Over 50% will have at least two yeast infections.

It's hard to believe but a yeast infection is caused by a tiny one cell fungus called yeast. Although there are many different types of yeast the one most frequently causing infections in people is the species Candida. The yeast infection is not an infection really but an overgrowth where the yeast takes over the vagina or wherever the yeast infection is. The yeast infection can cause pain as well as be annoying.

Now Candida is not a foreigner to the body. It grows normally on and inside the body. Candida especially likes to grow under moist, warm conditions. It can be found growing in the vagina, foreskin of the penis, and in skin folds. Normally the body keeps the level of yeast under control. In the vagina there is a specialized bacteria whose job is to keep the yeast from overgrowing. These bacteria keep the vagina acidic preventing the overgrowth of the yeast.

Many factors can contribute to the yeast taking over the body's defense system. It could be stress, antibiotics for a strep throat, pregnancy's hormone changes or illness. When these events occur the body is often not able to moderate the growth of the yeast cells. This is when we see a yeast infection.

Infection symptoms can vary from person to person. Most women complain of burning and itching with a vaginal yeast infection. There are many ways of treating a yeast infection. Prescription medications are designed to treat the symptoms by decreasing the growing of the yeast. They do not treat the underlying cause of a yeast infection.

Conditions Favoring Yeast Infection

Taking antibiotics is one of the most common ways of getting a yeast infection. The antibiotic kills the helpful bacteria, which normally keeps yeast from overgrowing.

Stress also can lead to yeast overgrowth. Stress taxes our bodies' defenses so the body is less able to fight the yeast overgrowth.

It's hard to believe tight jeans can cause yeast infections. But it's true. With tight jeans the sweat and heat of our bodies does evaporate. It's all held tightly against the body creating the warm, moist environment yeast likes to grow in.

Pregnancy has lots of hormonal ups and downs. With the changes in hormones the growth of yeast is favored.

The body has a natural cleansing system in the vagina. When you douche you upset the natural balance and then the vagina can't stop the overgrowth of yeast cells. Diabetes especially those with high or uncontrolled blood sugars are another cause of yeast infections. Yeast likes sugars as a food.

Yeast infection prevention is a topic you should discuss with your health care provider. There are many natural ways you can use to change your life and lifestyle to prevent yeast infections from happening.