What is Candida or “yeast” infections?
Yeast infections, as they are commonly called, are caused by one of the many species of fungus known as Candida, which normally live in the vagina in small numbers. Candida can also be present in the mouth and digestive tract in both men and women. Since yeast is normally present and well-balanced in the vagina, infection occurs when something in a woman’s system upsets this normal balance. For example, an antibiotic to treat another infection may upset this balance. In this case, the antibiotic kills the bacteria that normally protects and balances the yeast in the vagina. In turn, the yeast overgrows, causing an infection. Other factors that can cause this imbalance to occur include pregnancy, which changes hormone levels, and diabetes, which allows too much sugar in the urine and vagina.
