Most women will suffer from at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lives. The pain, itching and inconvenience of these painful fungal infections is severe enough that many women would do anything to avoid ever having another one. But for some women, chronic yeast infections are a way of life. Yeast infections are characterized as chronic when they occur four or more times a year or do not respond to traditional treatments. There is a strong correlation between recurring yeast infections and yeast infections that do not respond to over-the-counter treatments. Lifestyle and overall healthy can affect your susceptibility to yeast. Here are the most common causes of recurring vaginal yeast infections:
Overuse of Yeast Treatments
While antifungal yeast infection treatments can clear up a yeast infection, they can also make the problem worse for the long-term. If you suffer from frequent yeast infections and treat them with over-the-counter vaginal antifungals, the yeast may eventually become resistant to the treatment. Consult your doctor, who may prescribe prescription-strength oral treatments that are less likely to breed resistance. Before using any yeast infection medication, ensure that the infection is actually yeast; otherwise, you subject yourself to resistant strains of yeast.
Use of Chemicals in the Vagina
The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, and soap, douches and deodorants have absolutely no place in the vagina. These chemicals can alter the bacterial balance in the vagina, leading to an overgrowth of yeast. Many women who suffer from recurring vaginal yeast infections believe they are caused by a hygiene problem and that the solution is to use more soap. The truth is that this practice will lead to more yeast infections, creating a snowball effect in which the woman continually uses more soap and hygiene products, making the yeast infections progressively worse and more common.
Medications
High-estrogen and high-progesterone oral contraceptives make women especially prone to yeast infections. Ask your doctor to switch you to a lower dose contraceptive. The biggest medication-based cause of yeast infections, however, is antibiotics. Their overuse is rampant in the United States. They can alter the chemical composition of the vagina, making a yeast overgrowth more likely. Avoid taking antibiotics–especially broad-spectrum ones–except for when you and your doctor are certain you have an infection.
Health Problems
Some health problems make women more susceptible to yeast infections. Diabetes can lead to an overgrowth of yeast, and any illness that suppresses your immune system can contribute to the development of yeast infections.
Wrong Diagnosis
The most common cause of vaginal pain and itching is not yeast, but bacterial vaginosis. You may not have a yeast infection at all. Before self-diagnosing and treating, ask your doctor to take a culture to determine if you’re actually suffering from a yeast infection.
Lifestyle Choices
Several basic lifestyle choices can affect your probability of getting a yeast infection. Spermicidal condoms cause yeast infections in some women. Yogurt and probiotics, however, lower your chances of getting yeast. If you suffer from yeast infections, take a probiotic such as acidophilus or Azo yeast daily.
Sources:
Our Bodies, Ourselves-Boston Women’s Health Collective
The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book-Mayo Clinic