Yeast infections can be nasty, painful and bothersome. The fact is yeast, a fungus, is commonly found on human skin and in most areas of the human body. It is normal for yeast to be present in living creatures. The type of yeast found in and on the human body is known as Candida.

Do all women who have yeast present in their vaginal areas have yeast infections? No, not necessarily. I read somewhere that between 25 to 50 percent of healthy women will have yeast in the vaginal region but will not be infected. But when inflammation occurs in the vaginal area that usually means that the Candida fungus is plentiful, growing and an infection has been established.

So what are some of the causes of yeast infections? These infections are related to either an increase in volume in the vagina of the already present yeast fungus or to new yeast being introduced in the vaginal area. Commonly this occurs when good bacteria, that is the type that protects the body, is killed by antibiotics. This can happen when a woman is taking antibiotics to eliminate a sinus, urinary, respiratory or other infection or if she is undergoing treatment that includes immuno-suppressive drugs.

Women are also susceptible to yeast infections when the inner area of the vagina is damaged or if they have weak immune systems. The former can occur after chemotherapy while the latter can be related to the ingestion of prednisone or other such cortisone-based medicines. Additionally, pregnant women, those with diabetes and woman on oral contraceptive all have an increased risk of developing a Candida yeast infection.

Yeast infections can be present in women who are practicing celibacy, and it is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease (STD). By the way, women who use vaginal perfume sprays and who use douches also increase the likelihood of developing a yeast infection.

To get rid of yeast infection you need to see if any of the above is related to you. Maybe no other steps are necessary and you can prevent future yeast infection outbreaks.

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