Female yeast infections are known to be more common as compared to male yeast infections. It might amuse you to know that a certain amount of yeast is present on the skin of every human being. However, the numbers of specific yeast like Candida Albicans are kept under control by the good bacteria that do not allow it to grow too rapidly.
If this balance is destroyed due to external factors, the fungus or yeast can start to multiply in larger numbers, causing the symptoms that we know as yeast infection symptoms.
Some facts about the causes of yeast infection in women are mentioned below:
Low immune system – When the immune system is compromised, the yeast can multiply faster since the body has limited resistance towards the same.
Extended use of antibiotics – Taking antibiotics for a long period of time can kill the good bacteria along with the bad bacteria. Since these good bacteria check the uncontrolled multiplication of the yeast, too many antibiotics can result in yeast infections in women.
High levels of estrogen – High estrogen levels can also cause yeast infections. This typically happens during pregnancy when estrogen levels are extremely high.
Uncontrolled diabetes – If the sugar levels in the blood are not controlled, the yeast tend to multiply faster since they thrive in an environment that is sugary.
Other causes of female yeast infections – High levels of chronic stress, lack of sleep, poor diet and large amounts of junk food, sugary foods and oral contraceptives also increase the risk factors for female yeast infections.
Treatment options for female yeast infections include conventional allopathic treatment or natural remedies like herbal treatment, breathing exercises and proper diet. The fact is that although there are several over-the-counter topical anti-fungal creams and other antibiotics that your physician can provide, these are all quick fix measures that do not tackle the root cause of the yeast infection. Therefore, it is obvious that while the symptoms of the female yeast infection may vanish after a few days, the yeast infection is likely to come back pretty soon.
It is therefore pertinent that you realize that the yeast infection starts to create problems only when the flora of the internal body system is disturbed. It is only when this balance is restored and subsequently maintained that the yeast infection can be comprehensively and completely treated.
Some natural treatment options that are known to help in treating female yeast infection and restoring the internal balance are:
Probiotics – Probiotics are basically good bacterium that can help in fighting pathogens that attack the body. If the internal balance of good and bad bacteria is disturbed, taking probiotics for a few weeks can help in restoring this balance.
Yogurt, garlic and oregano oil – These are natural remedies that can be included in your diet. In addition to that, these can also be made into a paste and applied on the infected areas to provide some relief from the symptoms.
Proper diet – While the natural remedies mentioned above may relieve the symptoms and achieve the right balance between the good and bad bacterium, it is essential that you maintain the achieved state of internal flora with a good nutritious diet that does not include junk food and sugary foods.
To summarize, it will be only right to say that while conventional allopathic treatments help in providing immediate relief from symptoms of yeast infections, it is the natural treatments that actually help in establishing the required balance in the body and cure the yeast infection from its roots.