“Many physicians, and many women, believe that women get recurrent yeast infections because their partner passes the yeast back to them during intercourse. This study refutes that belief…This study suggests the risk for recurrent infections is related to something else — perhaps the woman’s immune response to the yeast.”

148 women with Candida albicans vulvovaginitis were followed by Dr Reed and her group, 78 of which had their male partners enrolled at two primary care practices. When followed up within a year, 33 women had had at least one other episode of Candida vulvovaginitis. Recurrence could not be predicted by cultures taken from her tongue, vulva, vagina or feces, or from the partner’s feces, urine, tongue or semen. Nor did the woman’s age when she had first had sex, how many sexual partners she had had, or how often she had anal or vaginal sex the month before the recurrence.

The group found that female risk factors were recent masturbation with saliva and recent cunnilingus and in men masturbation with saliva the previous month and a younger age when they first had sex. The study was limited by the fact only 39% of women returned for four or more follow up visits and only half the male partners answered the questionnaires and gave specimens. There was also inaccurate recall of sexual activities. Dr Reed says,

“We’re not saying that oral sex is a problem for everyone, but if a women is experiencing recurrent yeast infections, those activities put her at an increased risk.”

The author’s reasoning is that saliva may upset the balance of the area which leads to a candida infection. They add,

“The risks identified may be related to immune characteristics of the women and their partners. Further evaluation of the association between recurrent Candida vulvovaginitis, sexual activities, and immune characteristics of women and theirpartners is warranted.”

Source:Medscape.Com
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466238

It is unfortunate that most of the treatments that are meant to take care of yeast infections really just deal with the symptoms, or maybe one of the many causes. That is why even after a treatment with antibiotics, creams and other drugs or medications, the yeast infection still comes back. Antibiotics in particular are a big factor in the cause of yeast infections. Overusing them can make you more susceptable because they kill both bad bacteria and good bacteria. With the balance upset yeast has a chance to build up.

The causes of yeast infections tend to be things like stress, weather and/or diet changes that are sudden, high sugar intake, birth control pills, poor diet, contraceptive sponge use, too much caffeine, too many carbohydrates, too much yeast in your diet and poor sleeping patterns. Other hormonal changes like pregnancy, period and menopause can be a factor. Diabetes can cause yeast growth because it is linked to high sugar levels. Douching can upset the vagina’s pH balance and can therefore also contribute.

If you are looking to stop the infections you need to make changes to your diet and think long term. You can also eat more plain yogurt that has live cultures (lactobacillus acidophilus). This also makes a good topical treatment when you have an infection. Wear loose clothing, so wear those tight pants less often and wear cotton panties because it allows air in. This prevents warm damp environments that the yeast loves. There are creams and suppositories you can get over the counter at your local pharmacy if symptoms become difficult to bear.

Men do not always immediately recognise that they have a yeast infection, it is only when their health worsens that they suspect something is wrong. If the urethra is affected by a yeast infection this can be nasty as it can damage the man’s sexual function. This is a big clue to men that there is a problem.

Common male yeast infection symptoms are smelly breath, indigestion, constipation, bloatedness, gas, diarrhea and very loose stools. As mentioned before not being able to function during sex is also a sign, as well as pain during sex. There can be itching, a rash along the penis, sometimes white or yellow discharge from the tip and redness.

If the male yeast infection is affecting the penis there is a treatment called Lotrimin that can be purchased at the pharmacy over the counter. Gentian Violet is another treatment that is safe and natural. Aceium is also a good option to treat the infection with. A recommened herbal product is Nutribiotic Liquid Grapefruit See Extract. Other natural remedies that work for women would also work for men including yogurt, tea tree oil, garlic and white vinegar. There are plenty of treatments you can choose from which is a relief I am sure since the infection is very unpleasant to suffer from.

A final piece of advice is checking your diet. As mentioned before cut out sugar and beer, but also cut down on carbohydrates, processed and refined foods. Eat more vegetables and find ways to destress. Wear natural fibred clothing and keep it loose. Drink lots of water to help clean and flush out your system.

It starts with a fungus called Candida Albicans. This can be found in many places around the body including your mouth, the vagina and your intestines. Where ever this fungus is, the yeast infection could develop. They do not automatically cause a yeast infection. In order for that to happen an imbalance has to occur and this lets them multiply.

When the fungus over grows in the mouth the infection is known as Thrush. There are different reasons why the fungus might be allowed to do this including:

Tight clothing – this allows moisture to stay trapped in the area thus giving the fungi its perfect environment in which to grow.

Antibiotics – these are designed to kill bacteria. Unfortunately they do not know the difference between bad bacteria and good bacteria so they kill it all. The good bacteria is what was keeping the fungus under control.

Pregnancy – during pregnancy the body is out of balance anyway thus possibly leading to a yeast infection.

Diabetes – is a problem with sugar. Sugar feeds the fungus that leads to a yeast infection.
There are other reasons for yeast infections to occur but those mentioned are the main ones. Some you can help control and some you cannot. Also worth knowing is that women who have a lot of yeast infections should consider getting tested for HIV as it has been found that HIV positive women commonly have reoccurring infections. That does not mean of course that you definitely have HIV, just that it should be checked. If we understand how and why something happens, we are better equipped at preventing it.

Now that you know exactly what causes yeast infections, you can probably deal with the situation a lot better and in a natural way.

The body of a mature individual naturally houses a certain amount of bacteria, which are both healthy and destructive – and also a degree of yeast or Candida Albicans. Yeast is just one of the over 200 different types of Candida fungi that dwell in the system of a healthy body; it is a type that will flourish in the gastrointestinal tract or the mouth.

When a child needs to take an antibiotic, this may be a causative factor for a yeast infection because there are healthy bacteria that work in the system of the body to keep the natural amount of yeast in proper balance in the gastrointestinal tract. When antibiotics are needed for handling a viral infection, the healthy bacteria is destroyed as well. When this happens, the environment favors an accelerated production of yeast.

The seriousness of the infection in a child can range from a mild condition(which is most usually found), to a rather life endangering condition. A common child yeast infection will merge into the organs and blood stream by means of the gastrointestinal system. When a child has a normal immune system there is really nothing to be alarmed over and the infection is easily treated, but with those who have a weakened immune system – this can be a huge reason to be concerned.

When there is a yeast infection found in the mouth, it is called an Oral Thrush. It will compromise the mouth and the throat by infecting the esophagus. This kind of infection can happen during the birth process of a newborn as they make there way through the birth canal, where natural yeast does reside. The immune system of an infant is not fully developed, so the newborn can end up with cottage cheese type growths on the inside of the mouth, back of the throat or tongue. This is easily treated by using Nystatin which is an anti-fungal antibiotic. This is used to prevent candida from getting into the blood stream.

Probably the biggest cause of a child yeast infection is due to diaper rash. Keep the area as dry as possible and as clean as possible, by changing the diaper more often than you would normally and use an anti-fungal cream. This should eliminate the problem for good.