Chronic Stress Linked to Repeat Yeast Infections
(Reuters Health, 10/27/05)

Dr. Sophia M. Ehrstrom of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and team, studied 70 women: half of whom had experienced at least four yeast infections the previous year. The researchers measured the stress hormone, cortisol, in saliva samples taken from the subjects and found that the patients with recurrent infections exhibited a reduction in the normal morning rise in cortisol levels. Paradoxically, this restricted rise in cortisol is a sign of chronic stress. These findings indicate that recurrent yeast infections may be linked to chronic stress and possibly immune deficiency.

(American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, October 2005)