What causes yeast infections, and how do you get rid of them? - Liesbeth Demuyser

翻译人员: Siyu Lian 校对人员: Yuwei Wu

The vagina harbors hundreds of different kinds of microorganisms.

阴道里住着数百种不同的微生物。

Some tend to be especially prevalent, like Lactobacilli.

其中有些特别普遍， 像是乳酸杆菌。

These bacteria produce an acid that lowers the vagina’s pH,

这些细菌会产生一种降低 阴道酸碱度的酸，

limiting what can survive there and preventing against certain infections.

限制可以存活的微生物 和预防某些感染。

Candida yeasts are also usually present in small quantities.

少量念珠菌酵母也会存在。

Most of the time, these fungi are harmless.

大多数时候这些真菌都是无害的。

The body’s immune system keeps them in check while other microorganisms,

身体的免疫系统约束它们， 同时其他微生物，

like Lactobacilli,

像是乳酸杆菌，

combat and outcompete them for nutrients and territory.

为了获得营养和领土 而对抗并击败它们。

But under certain conditions, Candida yeasts can cause infections.

但是在一些情况下， 念珠菌酵母会导致感染。

One species in particular, called Candida albicans,

特别是一种叫白色念珠菌的真菌，

is the usual culprit of vaginal thrush or yeast infections,

它通常是阴道鹅口疮或 酵母菌感染的元凶。

which affect 3 out of every 4 people with a vagina.

在有阴道的每四个人里， 都有三个人深受其害。

So, how exactly does a yeast infection happen?

酵母菌感染到底是怎么发生的呢？

Candida albicans yeasts are shapeshifters.

白色念珠菌是变形者。

And when the balance within the vagina is disrupted—

当阴道里的平衡被打破时，

like the pH increases or there are fewer microbes to compete with—

比如酸碱度增加或者需要 抵抗的微生物减少时，

Candida albicans may assume their disease-causing forms.

白色念珠菌可能变成疾病制造者。

They multiply and metamorphose—

它们会繁殖和变形，

substituting their rounded structures

将它们原本的圆形结构

for elongated thread-like forms called hyphae.

变成被称为菌丝的细长线状物 。

Then, they secrete enzymes that degrade the epithelial cells lining the vagina

然后，它们分泌的酶会 分解阴道的上皮细胞

and permeate the tissue.

并渗透到组织中。

Immune cells rush to the site,

免疫细胞急忙赶到现场，

generating some of the most recognizable symptoms of yeast infections:

导致酵母菌感染 最常见的一些症状:

itching, burning, swelling, and redness.

瘙痒、烧灼感、肿胀和发红，

These may also be accompanied by a change in vaginal discharge,

同时可能伴随阴道分泌物的变化。

the fluid that’s frequently flushed from the vagina to keep it healthy and clean.

分泌物是从阴道流出 并帮助其保持健康和干净的液体。

During a yeast infection, discharge may become thicker and whiter

在酵母菌感染其间， 分泌物可能变得更白和粘稠，

because the vagina is shedding more epithelial and Candida cells.

因为阴道脱落了更多 上皮细胞和白色念珠菌。

A few major factors, like antibiotic treatments and lower immunity,

一些导致人们更容易受到 酵母菌感染的主要原因

can make people more susceptible to vaginal yeast infections.

包括抗生素治疗和较低的免疫力。

When someone’s immune system is compromised, from illness or otherwise,

当一个人的免疫系统受到 其他疾病的干扰，

their body may be unable to control Candida effectively.

她们的身体无法有效控制念珠菌。

And in treating bacterial infections, antibiotics kill harmful bacteria,

在治疗细菌感染时， 抗生素可以杀死有害细菌，

but they can also wipe out beneficial ones, like Lactobacilli,

同时也能杀死有益的细菌， 像是乳酸杆菌，

allowing Candida to multiply more easily.

导致念珠菌可以轻松地繁殖。

Many other factors also help set the stage for yeast infections.

很多其他因素是酵母菌 感染的诱因。

Hormonal changes and diet alter the vaginal microbiome.

荷尔蒙变化和饮食改变了 阴道微生物组。

Semen is relatively basic, so it can disrupt the vagina’s pH.

精液是相对碱性的， 所以它可以破坏阴道的酸碱度。

Tight, non-breathable, and wet garments incubate moisture

紧身、不透气和潮湿的衣服 会滋生湿气，

and are thought to facilitate a more Candida-friendly environment.

并有助于形成对念珠菌 更友好的环境。

Soaps can damage the protective mucus that coats the vagina,

肥皂会破坏包裹在 阴道上的保护性粘液。

making it easier for Candida to permeate.

让念珠菌更容易渗透。

That’s why many doctors recommend just gently washing the vulva with water.

这就是为什么许多医生建议 只用清水轻柔地清洗外阴。

And it’s important to wipe from front to back

同样重要的是擦拭前面和后面

to avoid introducing more Candida as well as other potentially harmful microbes

来避免感染更多的念珠菌

to the vagina.

或是其他对阴道有害的微生物。

Most yeast infections are mild and clear up within two weeks.

大多数的酵母菌感染是轻度的， 而且在两个星期之内就会愈合。

Antifungal medications usually offer dependable treatments

抗真菌药物通常被作为有效的治疗

by reducing the number of Candida cells,

来降低念珠菌的数量，

allowing the immune system and other microorganisms to regain control.

让免疫系统和其他 微生物重获控制。

And interestingly, the solution to treating some yeast infections

而且有趣的是， 治疗一些酵母菌感染的方法

could be more yeasts.

是使用更多的酵母菌。

Preliminary studies with probiotics containing the harmless yeasts

我们在酿酒和烘焙中使用的

we use in brewing and baking have shown promise in keeping Candida in check

含有无害酵母的益生菌的 初步研究表明，

while reducing inflammation.

它有望能控制念珠菌数量， 同时降低发炎的风险。

But some yeast infections require more extensive therapies.

不过，一些酵母菌感染 需要更多的治疗。

About 5 to 10% of people with vaginas

大约 5% 到 10% 有阴道的人

experience at least 4 yeast infections a year.

每年经历至少四次酵母菌感染。

For some of those, the cause seems to be genetic.

有些感染的原因是因为遗传。

Some people have gene variants that make it harder for their immune systems

一些人的基因变异 让她们的免疫系统

to recognize and regulate Candida cells.

很难辨识和控制念珠菌的数量。

But why many others have recurrent infections is currently unclear—

但是为什么有些人反复 感染的原因仍然不明，

and requires a lot more research.

需要更多的研究。

In fact, so does basically everything we've just talked about.

事实上，我们刚刚讲过的 所有的事情都是这样的。

We don’t know nearly enough about the vaginal microbiome.

我们不知道足够多关于 阴道微生物的信息。

This is probably because of stigma and underfunding

这是大概是因为偏见和缺少资金

when it comes to topics that traditionally fall under the umbrella

当谈论到通常归类于

of “women’s health.”

“女人健康”的话题。

For instance, while erectile dysfunction affects a much smaller percentage

比如，勃起功能障碍影响

of people than vaginal yeast infections,

比酵母菌感染更少的人，

there’s about 6 times more research on the subject.

却有六倍之多的研究。

Hopefully, we’ll soon have a better understanding

希望我们很快就会有对我们

of the many microorganismal multitudes we contain—

身上大量的多种微生物的认知，

and how best to keep them in balance.

和如何让它们保持平衡。