How Is Genital Candidiasis Transmitted?

By HelloLife

Genital Candidiasis is a fungal infection of the genitals, more commonly called a yeast infection . An estimated 75% of women will have genital Candidiasis at least once in their lifetime. Its symptoms are very similar to many other conditions, including urinary tract infections and premenstrual syndrome, and can be easily misdiagnosed.

The Basics of Genital Candidiasis

Genital Candidiasis results from the overgrowth of the Candida yeast species either in the vagina or rarely on the penis. (Since the vast majority of genital Candidiasis infections occur in women, this article will focus on vaginal infections.) The Candida species are usually present in small amounts in the vagina and are considered part of the vaginal normal flora (the collection of microorganisms which naturally inhabit the vagina).

Lactobacillus: Micro-guardians of the Vagina

A large portion of the vaginal normal flora consists of the Lactobacillus species of bacteria. Lactobacillus, compete with Candida for space and nutrients within the vagina, keeping Candida numbers low. It is believed this is accomplished by the mildly acidic hydrogen peroxide that the Lactobacillus releases during metabolism.

Prime Candida Environments

Candida yeast grows best in mildly acidic conditions. The vagina is normally at a pH of 3.8 to 4.5 (to compare: tomato juice has a pH of about 4.0 while pH 7.0 is considered neutral). When the vaginal pH rises or the concentration of sugar in vaginal fluids increases, Candida yeast flourish and can grow uncontrollably.

How Do People Get Genital Candidiasis?

Unlike many microorganisms the Candida yeast responsible for Genital Candidiasis are rarely transmitted from person to person (usually during sexual intercourse) since they require such specific conditions in order to grow. Most people get genital yeast infections from themselves, essentially. This can occur when conditions in the vagina are abnormally acidic, sugary, or bacteria-free, allowing Candida to thrive.

Natural Hormonal Changes: the wildly changing hormones during pregnancy and puberty can make vaginal secretions more sugary, allowing Candida yeast to become overgrown and cause the symptoms of genital Candidiasis.

Unnatural Hormonal Changes: Hormone replacement therapy, corticosteroids, and oral contraceptives can change the hormone balance within the body, often allowing the increased growth of yeast.

Uncontrolled Diabetes: those with diabetes have trouble maintaining proper blood-sugar levels. As a result, high blood sugar levels cause other bodily fluids to have high sugar content as well, including those of the vagina.

Antibiotics : Antibiotics kill bacteria, including the good bacteria that make up the body's normal flora. When women take antibiotics for a bacterial infection, many of the helpful Lactobacillus bacteria are killed off, allowing Candida to take over the vacated space and nutrients within the vagina.

Excessive Moisture: Fungi, including yeast, grow best in warm, dark, and moist places. While the vagina is always somewhat moist, excessive moisture can aid in Candida growth. Wearing underwear or pants made of synthetic materials, wearing tight-fitting clothing, or spending time in damp bathing suits all help trap the heat and moisture that Candida desires.

Yeast infections can usually be avoided by avoiding those things which aid in fungal growth. However, for those which can't be avoided (due to hormones or medical conditions) there are many natural treatment options for yeast infections.

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Sources: http://www.fpnotebook.com/GYN78.htm http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/yeast-infection-genital.html?pageNum=3#3 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/candidiasis_gen_g.htm#How%20is%20transmitted http://www.scq.ubc.ca/microbes-and-you-normal-flora/