Yeast Infection

Yeast normally grows in harmless amounts in the vagina, rectum, digestive tract and mouth. When your system is out of balance, these organisms may grow profusely, causing burning, itching and discomfort. In the vaginal tract, candidiasis, or yeast infection, may cause a thick, white discharge which may look like cottage cheese and smell like bread, although no discharge may be apparent. It can also be transmitted and retransmitted from your sexual partner, as the yeast may live under the foreskin. Yeast infection is commonly recurrent. 

Common causes include: 

• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy or 
• Hormonal changes before monthly periods 
• Taking hormones or birth control pills 
• Taking antibiotics (especially "broad spectrum" ones) 
• Taking steroid medicines, such as prednisone 
• Having elevated blood sugar such as found in uncontrolled diabetes 
• Vaginal intercourse (especially with inadequate lubrication) 
• Douching 

Babies sometimes get it in the mouth where it causes white spots on the inside of the cheeks called thrush. If breastfeeding, the thrush may then infect the breasts of the nursing mother causing pain and/or bleeding.