Vaginal yeast infections can be caused by a number of different organisms, the most commonly known one being Candida albicans.  It has become common to refer to someone with recurring yeast problems as having Candida or Candidiasis.  This may not be technically correct as it could be any of a number of strains of yeast causing the problems. Over 200 different species of yeast have been associated with human infections. 

Why Am I Susceptible to Yeast?

This is an excellent question.  Yeast is everywhere, it's in our environment, in our food and resides throughout our bodies.  It is considered an opportunistic pathogen, that is, when it gets an opportunity to overtake your immune system and cause an infection - it does!   There are several factors that can predispose you to problems with yeast:

1. Antibiotic use, even if it was only once and years ago.  The antibiotics can set up a chronic imbalance in the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, leaving it more vulnerable to yeast infection and weakening your immune system.
2. High sugar/starch/alcohol diet - all of these feed yeast really well - they like that.
3. High stress - lowers your immune system function so that you don't fight off the yeast as well as you should.
4. Nutrient deficiencies that leave tissue that is exposed to yeast unhealthy and so more susceptible to infection.
5. Hormone imbalances that affect the health of the vaginal wall, providing the opportunity for yeast to overgrow.

My Naturopathic Approach to Chronic Yeast Infections

1. Remove excess yeast and unwanted bacteria from the digestive tract and vagina, then restore the good bacteria with a high quality acidophilus supplement.
2. Repair the damage caused by yeast to the linings of the intestines and vagina.
3. Lower or eliminate sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol.
4. Reduce stress through regular exercise, massage therapy, yoga, tai chi etc.
5. Restore tissue levels of vitamin A and essential fatty acids.
6. Through proper diet and liver detoxification, restore healthy hormone balance.

Benefits of This Type of Treatment

1. Removes yeast from all the tissues to prevent recurrences
2. Heals tissues that have been damaged by yeast
3. Results in a more healthy diet
4. Results in healthier hormone balance and prevention of hormone related diseases

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here may not apply precisely to your individual situation. Diagnostic and therapeutic choices must always be tailored to the individual patient's circumstances, and consultation with a licensed naturopathic physician should be undertaken before following any of the treatment strategies suggested in this web site.