Yeast Infection 101

Yeast infections are a very common and most women, about 70% of them, will get an infection at least once in their lifetimes. And some of these women will get recurring infections. To help prevent and cure this though, the first thing that should be known is, what is the cause of yeast infection?

Well, to begin with it should be stated that there is no one cause of yeast infection, there are many and they run the gamut from simple stress in life to hormonal changes to transference through sexual intercourse.

And since there is no actual one cause of yeast infection that can be pinpointed and isolated to avoid getting an infection, it's best if you can be aware of most of them. In the long run this can help you to avoid getting a yeast infection.

One of cause of infection is if you take antibiotics. This includes, the overuse of antibiotics, and even normal usage of antibiotics. In brief, antibiotics are taken to kill off any bad bacteria in your body.

Sometimes however it can also kill off some of the good bacteria thereby causing an imbalance in your body and promoting the growth of yeast producing bacteria.

Another cause of yeast infection occurs due to stress. A stressful lifestyle can and will change your hormones around and this can sometimes result in a yeast infection.

This same hormonal change is a prime factor in the cause of yeast infection of pregnant or lactating women, and women who are menopausal. The same applies before and after menstruation cycles as this also promotes a significant hormonal upheaval.

For men, the most common cause of yeast infection is through sexual intercourse with a woman affected with a yeast infection. This includes oral sex as well as vaginal sex.

Other factors that can be a major cause of infection in women include the use of douches, scented feminine hygiene products, feminine sprays, and the regular use of spermicides.

The use of any or all of these will imbalance the delicate balance of the vagina and can bring about an onset of yeast infection.

Another cause of infection that is largely overlooked is clothing. This includes the use of such items as pantyhose, tight jeans and synthetic fiber underwear. Tight fitting clothes such as jeans won't allow the vagina to breathe, and articles of clothing made from man made fibers will also do the same thing.

Despite a multitude of prescribed and over-the-counter medications available today, many women affected with yeast infections are looking for a natural remedy for yeast infection treatment. Anti-fungal medications such Miconazole have been proven to be effective, but aren't there other treatments that work? Yes, there is an effective treatment; Click Here To See.

In this article, we will explore the various natural remedies purported to cure or treat yeast infections and their effectiveness.

Cranberry juice has been used to help treat yeast infections. Do this natural treatment really work? The answer is that it does indeed work for those infected with yeast. Is it really a stand-alone treatment? No. It should be used as an adjunct to a main remedy.

How about yogurt? That helps, doesn't it? Actually, this is a very helpful treatment in combating thrush. Thrush is a form of yeast infection that is present in the mouth. In fact, it is not uncommon for many physicians to tell their patients to eat yogurt as part of their overall treatment plan.

What about compounds that contain Lactobacillus acidophilus? Do they work? According to at least one study, women who used suppositories that contained Lactobacillus acidophilus did report a relief from yeast infection symptoms. Another study that was done showed little benefit from using these products. So, the jury is still out on these preparations.

Other popular natural home remedies for treating yeast infections are vinegar douches, garlic or boric acid based vaginal suppositories, and tea tree oil cream. Again, do they work? Many women report that these are effective, while others do not report any relief from symptoms.

Scientifically speaking, is it always easy to clinically demonstrate that a natural remedy for yeast infection, actually works? The short answer is no. In reality, there needs to be more data obtained via truly stringent studies. One must really apply the same standards to natural remedies for yeast infections, as is applied to the compounds manufactured by the drug companies.

When seeking out any natural remedy, it is important to remember that not all of these compounds will be equally effective for every person afflicted with yeast. You must do your due diligence in deciding which preparation is right for you. And don't forget, a call to your doctor would always be helpful in making an informed decision.


Suggested Resource:

Yeast Infection No More

The 12 Hour Cure For Yeast Infection