Do I Have Recurrent Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections are a common occurrence among women. According to Wayne State University, about 138 million women worldwide experience recurring yeast infections. Although it is an uncomfortable condition, yeast infections are treatable, and their origins can be tracked. Often described as an uncomfortable sensation featuring itching, irritation, abnormal discharge, soreness, and skin damage, yeast infections are common, complex, and frankly, frustrating! Magnolia Place, the newest women’s healthcare practice Greenville NC, is here to share the leading causes of yeast infections to help guide your discovery process as to what may be causing the condition. Read on to learn more about what may be causing your discomfort.

How does a yeast infection form?

Before our women’s health Greenville NC team begins discussing common causes of yeast infections, let’s discuss what a yeast infection is. Yeast infections form when an overgrowth of the naturally occurring candida fungi grows in the vagina. Yeast infections are one of the most common forms of vaginitis. Vaginitis is defined as the inflammation of the vagina. Common symptoms of vaginitis include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Itchiness
• Irritation
• Soreness
• Burning sensation
• Burning during urination
• Abnormal discharge odor

Yeast infections particularly feature a thick, white, odorless discharge. You must track your symptoms from the time that they begin. What were you doing the day your symptoms started? Are you sexually active? Were you wearing clothing that did not feature breathable fabrics? Conditions like undiagnosed diabetes can be the origin of chronic infections like yeast as yeast love sugar!  It is important to ask questions until you get to the root cause as you do not have to suffer.  Ask the important questions to get to the origin of your symptoms as the answer could unfold issues important to your health and longevity.

While it is expected that 75 percent of women will experience a yeast infection once in their lifetime, what happens if that number increases? Recurrent yeast infections occur in over six percent of women and are classified as experiencing more than four yeast infections within one year. So, where can these yeast infections be coming from? Our women’s healthcare practice Greenville NC experts are ready to share some of the common causes of yeast infections with you to help you thrive.

Common Causes of Yeast Infections

While yeast infections may not always present themselves from a direct origin, there are different lifestyle changes you can make today that may prevent further recurrent yeast infections down the road. Here are some of the most common causes of yeast infections according to our women’s healthcare practice Greenville NC!

Antibiotic Prescription

The purpose of broad-spectrum antibiotics is to kill a range of bacteria. While this does take out the bad bacteria that your body is fighting against, it may also kill healthy bacteria in your vagina, which leads to an overgrowth of yeast. The pH balance in your body is sensitive and antibiotics commonly shift the homeostasis of this balance while ridding your body of bad bacteria. Our women’s health Greenville NC care team will work with you to restore your pH balance and get you back on your daily activities!

Douching

Although it is not recommended by our women’s healthcare practice Greenville NC to douche, many women do choose this form of cleaning practice. Douching involves flushing the vaginal canal with pre-packaged fluid mixtures in hopes of cleaning the vagina. It’s important to note that your vagina is a self-cleaning organ! There is no extra work that you must put forth to keep your vaginal area clean. Douching can raise your vaginal pH, promoting the growth of yeast.

Wearing the Wrong Fabric

Moisture only expedites the bacteria growing process. Those prone to chronic yeast infection should avoid wearing panty liners and other moisture-trapping materials, according to women’s health Greenville NC professionals. We recommend wearing cotton-lined materials and loose, breathable clothing to help promote airflow and circulation.

Magnolia Place | Women’s Healthcare Practice Greenville NC

Magnolia Place is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of care, both in and out of our office. If you or a loved one feel that you may be experiencing recurring yeast infections or other vaginitis symptoms, please contact our team of professional women’s health Greenville NC experts. We utilize the latest testing methods and care practices backed by research, and provide a personal level of care with our membership model. For more information and valuable resources, visit our women’s healthcare blog page today.