Vaginal yeast infections occur when good bacteria, or the bacteria that aid in digestion and help to control yeast, are disturbed, resulting an overgrowth of yeast. They most often produce a thick white vaginal discharge, burning and itching. Yeast infections usually occur in a woman's vagina, but they can also grow in other parts of the body. The website EverydayHealth.com states the approximately 75 percent of women will develop at least one yeast infection during their lives and nearly 50 percent of all women will experience reoccurring yeast infections.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can trigger frequent yeast infections in some women, according to the website Everyday Health. Antibiotics tend to wipe out protective bacteria that normally inhabit the vagina. When the protective bacteria are destroyed, yeast can multiply and possibly cause a yeast infection. The website Dr. Spock states that approximately 25 to 70 percent of women get yeast infections following a course of antibiotics.
Hormones
A hormonal imbalance can contribute to reoccurring yeast infections, according to the website Dr. Spock. An acidic pH level and an increase in the female hormone estrogen can cause an overabundance of yeast, resulting in a yeast infection. Pregnant women and women who take oral contraceptives may notice an increase in the frequency and intensity of their yeast infections due to increasing and fluctuating hormones. Mild yeast infections usually go away when a woman has her menstrual period because yeast has a hard time thriving in blood. In addition, women who use steroids as treatment for a chronic illness like arthritis, asthma or lupus may experience frequent and persistent yeast infections.
Douching
Douching can contribute to frequent yeast infections, according to the website Women's Health Information. A woman's vagina is a self-cleaning organ that does not need to be artificially cleaned. Regular douching or vaginal washing can upset the normal vaginal pH level, resulting in a recurring yeast infections. The chemicals in douches can mask the signs of a vaginal infection. They can also irritate the skin, mucous membrane, and pH balance of the vagina, triggering an overabundance of yeast and multiple yeast infections.
Poor Nutrition
Women who do not maintain a healthy diet may experience multiple yeast infections. A healthy diet consisting of a combination of vitamins and minerals keeps the body functioning properly. When a woman's body does not get the nutrients that it needs to function adequately, the bacteria in her vagina may be disturbed, triggering an overgrowth of yeast. Large amounts of sugar can also cause women to have multiple yeast infections, according to the website YeastInfectionAdvice.com. Yeast thrives in urine that contains an elevated amount of sugar, so women who eat large amounts of candy, or drink a lot of sugary sodas are at risk for recurring yeast infections.
