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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAmong the things that increase your risk of developing a yeast infection are:
- Antibiotic use. Yeast infections are common in women who take antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill healthy bacteria in your vagina, which can lead to the overgrowth of yeast.
- Increased estrogen levels. Yeast infections appear to occur more frequently in women with increased estrogen levels, for instance, in women who are pregnant, those taking high-dose estrogen birth control pills or those taking estrogen hormone therapy.
- Uncontrolled diabetes. In women who have diabetes, those with poorly controlled blood sugar levels are more likely to develop yeast infections than are women who have diabetes under control.
- Impaired immune system. In women who are immunocompromised — such as by corticosteroid therapy or by HIV infection — yeast infections are more likely to occur.
- Being sexually active. Although yeast infections aren't considered sexually transmitted diseases, one way the candida organism can be introduced into your vagina is through sexual contact.
References
- Frequently asked questions: Vaginal yeast infections. National Women's Health Information Center. http://womenshealth.gov/faq/vaginal-yeast-infections.cfm. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Vaginitis. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp028.cfm. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins — Gynecology. Vaginitis. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2006;107:1195.
- Hemsell DL. Gynecologic infections. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3149718. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- McCormack WM. Vulvovaginitis and cervicitis. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00107-7. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/vaginal-discharge.htm. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Corigliano MA, et al. Candidiasis, vulvovaginal. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/198374960-2/0/2088/112.html?tocnode=58125592&fromURL=112.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00012-5--sc0010_2218. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Sobel JD. Candida vulvovaginitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Nyirjesy P. Vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2008;22:637.
- Falagas ME, et al. Probiotics for prevention of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: A review. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2006;58:266.
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