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Yeast infections are the most common fungal infections that affect people of all age and gender. There are different types of yeast infections that can infect people. Yeast infections are a lot more common than people think. As a matter of fact 90% of the population has it.

Yeast infections are caused by the extra growth of certain yeast organisms that normally live in the vagina. This extra growth can be caused by many factors including, taking antibiotics or birth control pills, damp underwear, tight pants, poor diet, or use of certain vaginal products. Yeast infections are a fungal infection of which Candida is the most common. They affect many women and are rarely but potentially life-threatening.

Yeast infections are often painless and have discharges that are thick, bland and yellowish-green with swelling of the vulva, and are worse lying down. People who have this issue feel significantly worse from the heat, including a warm room, and feel much better walking in the open air.

Chronic yeast infections may be the sign of something more serious like diabetes or an immune system deficiency. Chronic yeast infections can be very annoying. The symptoms are vaginal discharge with vulva itching and burning which occurs 4 or more times a year.

Antibiotic and steroid use is the most common reason for yeast overgrowth. But pregnancy, menstruation, sperm, diabetes, and birth control pills also can contribute to getting a yeast infection. Antibiotics work wonders in fighting infections, but they aren't selective enough to know which bacteria to kill and which to let live. And so, explains McDougall, "antibiotics destroy the friendly flora that balance the yeast."

If you are going to start out using antibiotics, you'll be able to lessen your chances of having a yeast infections by eating one cup of plain yogurt with live cultures per day during the course of the medicine and for 10 days afterward. Antibiotics, kill off "good" bacteria and at the same time the "bad." So, keep away from feminine sprays, talcs, perfumes, douches, scented toilet paper and deodorized tampons, which can disrupt the body's natural cleansing process.