Women and Yeast Infections - What Are Some Causes for Candida

There are many factors which may be the cause of yeast infections and in this article we will look at some of the various ones that are often associated with this disease.

In fact in women, yeast infections are the second most common reason as to why they have vaginal burning, itching or a discharge. Because yeast is found in the vagina of most women it can grow if the environment in the vagina changes. Often the use of antibiotics or steroids are the most common cause for a woman getting a yeast infection. But it can also be caused by pregnancy, menstruation, sperm, diabetes, diet and birth control pills. More women are likely to suffer from a yeast infection after they have had menopause as well.

Another cause for people suffering from yeast infection is if they have a weakened immune system due to other factors such as being treated for cancer, the use of steroids or if they have been diagnosed with AIDS.

Below we look more closely at how certain times when a woman is likely to get a yeast infection.

1. Menopause - Although there is no direct link between the menopause and yeast infections there is a link between estrogen replacement therapies (ERT) that are associated with the menopause and yeast infections. Often the high levels of estrogen that are being provided through the ERT will create a hormone imbalance in a woman and this may well lead them to getting a yeast infection.

2. Menstruation - Just before a woman begins her period is also the time when her body will produce more blood sugar. Unfortunately, a sudden change in the hormone levels may well lead to a yeast infection in some women.

3. Pregnancy - There are large hormonal changes occuring when a woman becomes pregnant and this is one of the other common causes as to why a woman may contract a yeast infection. It will certainly occur more as the woman approaches the time of the birth of her baby as she is producing more sugar than normal. As previously explained above the more blood sugar a woman's body produces is likely to cause a yeast infection.