Yeast Infections.
A yeast infection is caused by a form of yeast known as candida, which occurs naturally in the body. And no, it's not the same kind of yeast found in bread. Candida are small micro-organisms that normally live in small numbers on the skin, in the digestive tract and in the vagina. Usually candida are no trouble because they are kept in balance by other harmless bacteria. However, if these bacteria are reduced - by antibiotics, your period, birth control, diabetes or pregnancy, for example - the yeast can grow and cause an infection.
Yeast infections usually strike just before a period. Symptoms may include:
Reference
1 beinggirl.com, "What is a yeast infection?" http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/pages/questiondetail.jsp?ContentId=ASK21, 2006; and Tampax.com, "What is a yeast infection and how do you get it?" http://tampax.com/womenshealth2.php?section=2&topic=1&page_article=1&page_askiris=1&id=2, 2006.
