Yeast is a common microscopic fungus which grows normally on the skin and in the mouth, vagina and large intestine of many, if not most healthy people. An overgrowth of yeast in the vagina can cause intense vaginal and vulval itching which may be severe enough to interfere with sleep, love-making and many activities. The vagina can become red and dry and may remain so even when you are sexually excited. Vaginal discharge is heavy, thick white, curdled like cottage cheese and smells like yeast. Sometimes there is a burning sensation after urination for men and women. Yeast can be positively identified only by examining a smear under a microscope exam.

Physiological imbalances in the vagina are the most frequent cause of yeast infection. The following are possible causes of imbalances. Pregnancy: A woman's hormone balance changes during pregnancy. The cells of the vagina store a greater amount of sugar, which encourages yeast to grow. Diabetes: Diabetes also causes vaginal cells to store more sugar. Birth control pills: Birth control pills decrease the acidity of the vagina and cause the vaginal cells to store excess sugar, both of which help yeast to multiply. Antibiotic treatments: Treatment with any antibiotics, such as tetracycline or penicillin greatly reduce bacteria normally present in the vagina and digestive system. Lessening these bacteria can allow yeast to multiply rapidly. Flagyl, a drug used in the treatment of trichomoniasis, and sulfa drugs can result in the overgrowth of yeast for the same reason. Baths, bubble baths: Soap, which is alkaline, can change the normally acidic environment of the vagina. Bubble bath, being a detergent, lessens the protection vaginal mucus offers against infection. Lowered resistance: Anything that lowers the body's natural resistance to disease such as fatigue, poor diet, emotional upset, pollution, or cigarette smoking, to name a few, can make a woman more susceptible to yeast. Pantyhose, synthetic underpants (especially nylon), tight pants: All of these clothes hold in the warmth and moisture of the vagina, providing an excellent environment for yeast to grow. Other infections: Other infections can change the ecological balance of the vagina and cause yeast to overgrow. Douching: Regular douching upsets the natural balance in the vagina, and is unnecessary for good hygiene, as the vagina has its own natural cleansing action. Diet: Eating yeast foods can cause an overgrowth of yeast in the system. The foods include fermented products such as pickles, breads containing yeast, olives, or anything pickled. Since alcohol is a fermented product, it is one of the primary causes of yeast overgrowth. Combined with the fact that yeast organisms feed on sugar, alcohol and sugar are the main factors in yeast conditions. Women may be infected by their male partner's semen if their diets are high in these foods. Using a condom will prevent this source of contamination. Female to female or male transmission can occur as well. Allergies: Sometimes food allergies, or allergies to other contaminants can cause chronic yeast flare-ups. It is often difficult to find the source of the problem, but common sources include dairy products, soaps, laundry detergents, douches, or any food allergy.

Most women carry yeast in their vaginas at some time in their lives. Yeast can travel from the anus along the surface of a menstrual pad, or when a women wipes herself after going to the bathroom. Wiping from the front to back will prevent the spread of rectal bacteria.

Sexual contact is an occasional cause of yeast infection. Women can pass yeast back and forth through oral-genital sex, a candida infection, called thrush, can develop in the throat.

Yeast can also survive under the foreskin of uncircumcised men and be transmitted during coitus. This can cause an irritating inflammation on the glans, known as balamitis. If one partner is affected, both may be treated. Most men with a yeast condition do hot have symptoms. If a women has chronic yeast infections, her partner may be examined, and a smear from the penis should be examined under a microscope. This can be a smear from the female opening (the urethra) or from the skin of the penis. If a woman has a yeast infection when she gives birth, the baby may get yeast in its digestive system, mouth, stomach, intestines and rectum. This type of yeast infection is called thrush, and is treated orally with Nystatin drops.

For prevention one might try wearing cotton, or no underwear at all to help prevent yeast by allowing the vagina to breathe. If a woman does self-cervical exams regularly, she will be familiar with the changes in her vagina and may be able to recognize yeast in its early stages, when it is easier to treat.

If transmission from man to woman is suspected, the cause may be in the man's diet. As with women: sugar, yeast (like bread or fermented products, olives, pickles) and alcohol can cause a yeast condition to flare up for either partner. Many times, a urologist exam for a man may be completely negative but when cultures and semen analysis are done by a gynecologist, yeast is found in the semen. This can be corrected by eliminating these foods in the diet, or by using condoms to protect the women.

During antibiotic treatment (for sore throat, ear infection, etc.) the body's bacteria are killed and it often helps to replace the healthy bacteria by taking oral lactobacillus acidophilus capsules daily.

To treat the infection eating yogurt or drinking cranberry juice may prevent the growth of yeast in the digestive system, intestines and rectum, from which yeast sometimes spreads to the vagina. This is especially important when one is taking antibiotics. Taking acidophilus capsules orally and vaginally is often very beneficial and can relieve symptoms.

Cool compresses, or compresses of farmers or fresh cottage cheese can help relieve symptoms. Frequent changes of clothing can speed up the healing process. Applying plain yogurt into the vagina by putting it in a diaphragm or inserting it with a foam applicator tampon tube can restore the healthy bacteria which keep the yeast in check. A buttermilk douche tube can restore the healthy bacteria which keep the yeast in check. A buttermilk douche also restores healthy bacteria. A douche of one to two tablespoons of vinegar to a quart of water help restore the acidity of the vagina. Douching can be done easily, alone or in combination with yogurt insertion. Douching too frequently with vinegar can be harmful. Each should find her own balance. Some women have found it helpful to sit in a bath to which they have added 1/4 cup vinegar. These are all "folk remedies", and each woman can experiment with these cures to find which works best for her.

Monistat, Gyne-lotrimen and others are anti-fungal agents which should be used. It is best to lie down for 15 minutes after insertion to give the medication a chance to work, because the liquid will start to leak out as soon as you stand up. It may stain clothing. Medication should be continued through menstruation. During pregnancy control of a yeast infection is often difficult to maintain. Vaginal tablets keep symptoms under control until after delivery, when the infection can be cured more readily.

Both men and women can and should use these creams if treatment for both partners is recommended. Men use the cream on the outside of the penis two or three times a day as well as drinking lots of fluids to flush out the urinary system. Drinking cranberry juice can be especially helpful for men. Also, the vagina, cervix and vulva can be painted with gentian violet. This is bright purple and stains clothing, hands and skin and sheets, but offers great relief to some women. If symptoms persist, oral tablets may be recommended to reduce yeast in the intestines, thus reducing the chance of re-infection. This can be used in addition to eating plain yogurt, which can help in the healing process.

Adelle Davis, in "Let's Get Well", claims success with the 6 milligrams of vitamin B2 or B6 daily. Vitamin B6 seems to work especially well when applied directly. She recommends this for all types of vaginal infection and irritations. Other women have been helped by drinking and/or douching with oat straw tea during an entire menstrual cycle. Sitz baths with two tablespoons of calendula tincture in the water often give relief.

Alternatives to douching: Garlic suppositories (peeled and crushed fresh garlic) inserted vaginally, morning and evening as a natural antibiotic. Inserting vaginally and ingesting orally, acidophilus megadophilus. Vaginal insertion of aloe vera gel. Vaginal insertion of a tampon wet with aloe vera and a capsule of acidophilus powder.

Most of the herbs mentioned can be readily obtained in your local health food stores.