Josh asked:
I’ve been having yeast infections for quite a number of years, I’m 21 now, but i’ve been having them since I can remember. They were never that frequent, but have become more so recently. i’m terrified I have diabetes. Is there a chance it could be something less sinister?
November 26th, 2009 at 12:21 am
i wouldn’t think that a yeast infection is diabetes. Some (A LOT) of women have this problem. Could be diet, personal habits or just your disposition.
November 27th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
yes diabettes
November 30th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
causes of yeast infections
there are 2 good reasons to learn a bit about the causes of vaginal yeast infections. first, if you have recurring yeast infections, you can figure out what’s causing them and then work to prevent them, rather than just working to kill the yeast every time they take over. second, if you know what kinds of things cause you to get yeast infections, you can be alert for symptoms and treat them early on with the generally-milder do-it-yourself remedies, rather than bombarding your body with drugs.
vaginal yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans, which, along with a few types of bacteria, are normally present in relatively small numbers in your crotch. sometimes the yeast multiply rapidly and take over, causing a full-fledged yeast infection, or, in the heart-warming terminology of the medical establishment, candidiasis or monilia. this can be due to a change in the vaginal environment, injury, sexual transmission, or HIV. common environmental disruptions that favor yeast include increased pH, increased heat and moisture, allergic reactions, elevated sugar levels, hormonal fluxes, and reductions in the populations of bacteria that are normally present. these can generally be traced to a few categories of culprits:
antibiotics are probably the leading cause of vaginal yeast infections in american wimmin, and are a great example of the important principle that by using technology to solve problems, we create other problems. say you take an antibiotic to cure your sinus infection. the antibiotic kills the unwanted bacteria in your sinuses, but can also kill the “good” bacteria in your crotch, upsetting the balance of your vaginal ecosystem, allowing the yeast to take over. (antibacterial deodorant soap can have the same effect.) most wimmin have problems with only a few types of antibiotics, or with prolonged antiobiotic treatment. others get yeast infections every time they take antibiotics. unfortunately, i know of no way of preventing an antibiotic-induced yeast infection; you just have to treat it once it starts.
clothing: crotch yeasties flourish in non-cotton, tight, or dirty clothes that trap heat and moisture. no doubt Xena, Warrior Princess, gets infections all the time from that leather underwear. your absolutely best bet is to wear a skirt with no underwear or tights, and definitely avoid pantyhose. if you’ve ever had an urge to go for that sexy thigh-high stocking look but have been too shy, here’s the excuse you’ve been looking for. and if you do wear underwear, your safest bet is unbleached, undyed cotton underwear and breathable clothes. it’s a good idea to change your underpants regularly, like maybe once a day. if at all possible, don’t sleep in underwear; if you do, put on clean stuff. yeast can live in your underwear, so be sure to wash it well, particularly during and after a yeast infection. some medical types think that when you have a yeast infection, you should wash and dry your underwear and then iron it or throw it in the microwave on high for 5 min to kill the yeast. on the other hand, check out this testimonial: “I wanted to alert your readers that putting underwear in the microwave for 5 minutes is a VERY BAD IDEA… I went off to finish my nightly ablutions, leaving the underwear nuking away. I came back to a little black melted pile and an incredibly difficult to clean microwave.” there you have it. i personally am going to stick to ironing.
chemicals, such as inks, dyes, and perfumes, can upset the balance in your crotch or trigger allergic reactions that lead to yeast infections. the classic example is commercial douches, which have no benefits and are definitely harmful to the vaginal environment and your health. you know those odor-causing bacteria that their products help you get rid of? well, they’re the same bacteria that kill the yeast in your crotch! on top of that, soaps are not only disruptive to the vaginal environment, but can damage your mucus membranes. you should never soap your crotch. but there are other, less obvious sources of nasty chemicals. for example, i’ve had serious problems with those nasty colored, perfumed toilet papers, like Charmin; 5 days of that and i am yeast central. if you think that’s your problem, try an unscented, undyed toilet paper, like Scott. even better, use a recycled, unbleached eco brand. similarly, some laundry detergents and fabric softeners have allergenic dyes and perfumes; i invariably get yeast infections from underwear washed in Liquid Tide, and a friend of mine gets them from underwear washed in Wisk. again, try an eco brand, or something like Arm & Hammer fragrance free detergent. additives in bubble baths or bath salts, scented tampons or sanitary pads, or (heaven forbid) feminine deodorant sprays, can similarly trigger yeast infections.
condoms can promote yeast infections in two different ways. first, a lot of condoms come packaged with a lubricant that contains no
December 1st, 2009 at 1:51 am
Get a glucose meter & check your blood sugar.