Does Green Tea Cause Yeast Infection in Post-Menopausal Women?

 

Around 75 percent of all women experience a yeast infection at some point in their lifetime, according WomensHealth.gov, with nearly half of this number suffering a recurrence two or more times. The most common cause is a fungus called Candida albicans, which is more likely to spread if you eat a lot of sugar or take certain medications. However, the risk of yeast infection in all women decreases after menopause.

About Green Tea

Like all “true” teas, green tea comes from Camellia sinensis. This plant does not originate in the wild, but was originally cultivated in China centuries ago. Today, the tea plant is grown commercially in Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Turkey, Argentina and Pakistan, as well as China. Green tea is less processed than black tea, which means the chemical structure of the beneficial compounds in the leaves is left intact.

Causes of Yeast Infection

At least 40 percent of the time, says the University of Maryland Medical Center, a vaginal yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. This fungus is present in the vagina all the time to some extent, but overgrowth can be triggered by a poor diet, especially if you consume a lot of sugar. Pregnancy, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection and wearing panty hose regularly may increase the risk of infection. Certain medications, such as birth control pills and antibiotics, also increase risk. Green tea, however, is not associated with promoting Candida growth or yeast infections in women of any age.

Role of Estrogen

The degree to which Candida albicans resides in the vagina decreases as estrogen levels decline. This means post-menopausal women rarely experience a yeast infection unless they are taking hormone replacement therapy. The reason that oral birth control medications increase the risk of Candida yeast infections is because they deliver estrogen.

Green Tea Effects

Green tea contains a variety of triterpene saponins, catechins and flavonoids, such as quercetin and theaflavine. Collectively, these agents exert several pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial actions. According to the “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines,” green tea encourages the growth of “friendly” bacteria in the gut and colon like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacter species, while interrupting the spread of Clostridum, Salmonella and other harmful species. A study published in the “Canadian Journal of Microbiology” in September 2009 reports that green tea compounds also disrupt the colonization of Candida albicans. Specifically, the scientists found that a compound in green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, impairs the ability of Candida cells to adhere to one another or the host organism by 75 percent. If you have or are prone to yeast infections, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends drinking green tea or taking green tea supplements.