What is yeast? Yeast is a fungus scientifically referred to as Candida.
The specific type of fungus most commonly responsible for vaginitis is Candida albicans.
Yeast is commonly present on normal human skin and in areas of moisture, such as the mouth and vagina.
In fact, up to 20% of women normally carry yeast in the vaginal area.
What is vaginitis? Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina.
Vaginitis is very common and is reported by as many as 75% of women at some point in their lives.
Vaginitis can be caused by a number of infections, including bacteria (such as Gardnerella and gonorrhea), protozoans (such as trichomonas),and yeast (Candida).
Vaginal yeast infection is often referred to as vaginal Candidiasis.
What causes yeast vaginitis (vaginal yeast infection)? Vaginal yeast infections occur when new yeast is introduced into the vaginal area, or when there is an increase in the quantity of yeast already present in the vagina relative to the quantity of normal bacteria.
For example, when the normal,protective bacteria are eradicated by antibiotics (taken to treat a urinary tract,respiratory, or other types of infection) or by immunosuppressive drugs, the yeast can multiply, invade tissues, and cause irritation of the lining of the vagina (vaginitis).
Vaginal yeast infections can also occur as a result of injury to the inner vagina, such as after chemotherapy.
Also, women with suppressed immune systems (for example those takingcortisone-related medications such as prednisone) develop vaginal yeast infections (yeast vaginitis) more frequently than women with normal immunity.
Other conditions that may predispose women to developing vaginal yeast infections include diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, and taking oral contraceptives.
The use of douches or perfumed vaginal hygiene sprays may also increase a woman's risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection.
A vaginal yeast infection (yeast vaginitis) is not considered to be a typical sexually transmitted infection (STD), since Candida may be present in the normal vagina, and the condition does occur in celibate women.
However, it is possible for men to develop symptoms after sexual intercourse with an infected partner.
The sad truth is 95% of the people who use conventional yeast infection treatments only get rid of their infection temporarily.
And often when that infection comes back, it comes back much worse than it was before.
You see, medications and other "established" treatments generally only treat the symptoms of yourinfection they don't get to the root cause.