Yeast Infection Causes - Hormonal Changes As a Cause
By Ryan English
Hormonal changes do have a lasting effect on the occurrence of yeast infection. Scientifically, yeast is referred to as Candida. This specific fungus that is responsible for vaginitis is known as Candida albicans. Yeast is seen in areas of warmth and moisture on the human skin, such as the mouth and vagina. Around 25% percent of all healthy women do have vaginal yeast present in their bodies.
Factors affecting yeast infection:
There are many factors leading to yeast infection in women. One of the primary factors for vaginal swelling, discharge or itching is mainly due to yeast infection. While the use of antibiotics and steroids result in this condition, other factors cannot be ruled out. Yeast infection may also be caused owing to diabetes, pregnancy, menstruation, diet or taking of birth control pills. A weakened immune system after the treatment due to cancer can also lead to yeast infection. Yeast infection is also caused in some women after menopause.
How do hormonal changes affect yeast infection?
One becomes more susceptible to yeast infections when certain hormones are released especially during pregnancy, ovulation or menstruation. Though there are no visible signs of direct links to certain hormonal periods, yeast infections are definitely susceptible during hormonal alterations. Some of the main causes are:
Menopause
Pregnancy
MenstruationWomen are most likely to have vaginal yeast infections when they are stressed. During stress, digestive problems, allergies, fatigue, skin problems and loss of memory worsen.
The effect of Cortisol:
When a person is in stress, the adrenals produce an anti inflammatory hormone named cortisol. This hormone does the function of breaking down different tissues to release sugar, proteins and other nutrients so that muscles and organs working during stress are nourished. Dhea is secreted in order to balance the Cortisol. When Dhea is released, the Cortisol release is slowed down and tissues are built back. The longer the stress continues, so will the Cortisol be released. This will lower the immune system as well as raise blood sugar. This further result in increase of Candida. The hormone Cortisol may sometimes kill friendly bacteria and those that give protection against Candida. It is also known to raise blood sugar levels.
Progesterone and Estrogen
Hormone therapy often causes vaginal yeast infections in women. The most important of them is the estrogen therapy. Any imbalance between estrogen and another hormone namely progesterone could lead to causing Candida. This leads to have a negative effect on the friendly and protective bacteria. As a result the Candida tends to overgrow. Thus both of these hormones, whether in excess or not in balance with each other, will have a direct effect on causing of Candida to thrive and destroying the protective friendly bacteria.
Many factors can cause yeast infection in a person but hormonal changes inside a woman’s body is the primary factor that leads to yeast infection.
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