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What prevents yeast infections. 10 Effective Ways to Prevent Yeast Infections: Essential Tips for Vaginal Health

by alexxlab

How can you prevent yeast infections naturally. What are the most effective strategies for avoiding candidal vulvovaginitis. Which lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection. Is it possible to prevent recurrent yeast infections through diet and hygiene habits.

Understanding Yeast Infections: Causes and Risk Factors

Yeast infections, medically known as candidal vulvovaginitis, are a common concern for women worldwide. These infections occur when there’s an overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungus naturally present in the body. While yeast infections can affect anyone, certain factors increase the risk:

  • Pregnancy
  • Diabetes
  • Weakened immune system
  • Antibiotic use
  • High-estrogen birth control
  • Use of douches or vaginal sprays

Understanding these risk factors is crucial for effective prevention. By addressing these underlying causes, women can significantly reduce their chances of developing yeast infections.

The Importance of Proper Hygiene in Yeast Infection Prevention

Maintaining good hygiene is paramount in preventing yeast infections. However, it’s essential to strike a balance, as over-cleaning can be just as problematic as poor hygiene. Here are some key hygiene practices to adopt:

  1. Wear breathable, cotton underwear
  2. Avoid tight-fitting clothes
  3. Change out of wet clothes promptly
  4. Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
  5. Change menstrual products frequently

Why is cotton underwear recommended? Cotton allows air circulation, reducing moisture buildup that can promote yeast growth. How often should you change out of wet clothes? Ideally, as soon as possible after swimming or exercising to prevent creating a damp environment favorable for yeast.

Dietary Approaches to Prevent Yeast Infections

Your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining vaginal health and preventing yeast infections. Certain foods can either promote or inhibit the growth of Candida. Here are some dietary strategies to consider:

  • Consume probiotic-rich foods like yogurt with active cultures
  • Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • Incorporate antifungal foods such as garlic and coconut oil
  • Stay hydrated to help flush out toxins

How do probiotics help prevent yeast infections? Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria that can help maintain a healthy vaginal pH and prevent Candida overgrowth. Which foods should you avoid to reduce yeast infection risk? High-sugar foods and refined carbohydrates can feed yeast, so limiting these in your diet may help prevent infections.

The Role of Clothing and Fabrics in Yeast Infection Prevention

The clothes you wear can significantly impact your risk of developing a yeast infection. Tight, non-breathable fabrics create a warm, moist environment that’s ideal for yeast growth. To minimize this risk:

  • Choose loose-fitting clothing when possible
  • Opt for natural, breathable fabrics like cotton
  • Avoid sitting in wet swimwear or sweaty workout clothes
  • Consider sleeping without underwear to allow air circulation

Why is it important to change out of wet clothes quickly? Prolonged moisture exposure can disrupt the vaginal pH balance and create conditions favorable for yeast growth. How can your choice of sleepwear affect yeast infection risk? Wearing breathable or no underwear at night allows the vaginal area to “breathe,” reducing moisture buildup.

Managing Medical Conditions to Reduce Yeast Infection Risk

Certain medical conditions can increase your susceptibility to yeast infections. Proper management of these conditions is crucial for prevention:

Diabetes Management

For individuals with diabetes, maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential. High blood sugar can feed yeast and increase infection risk. How does blood sugar control help prevent yeast infections? Stable blood sugar levels create an environment less conducive to yeast overgrowth.

Immune System Support

A strong immune system is your body’s natural defense against infections, including yeast overgrowth. To support your immune system:

  • Get adequate sleep
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals
  • Exercise regularly

How does stress affect your risk of yeast infections? Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to various infections, including yeast overgrowth.

Antibiotic Use and Yeast Infection Prevention

While antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections, they can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your body, potentially leading to yeast overgrowth. To minimize this risk:

  • Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional
  • Complete the full course of antibiotics as directed
  • Consider taking probiotics during and after antibiotic treatment

Why do antibiotics increase the risk of yeast infections? Antibiotics kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, potentially allowing yeast to flourish in the absence of the good bacteria that normally keep it in check. How can probiotics help when taking antibiotics? Probiotics can help replenish the beneficial bacteria in your body, maintaining a healthy balance and reducing the risk of yeast overgrowth.

The Impact of Sexual Activity on Yeast Infection Risk

While yeast infections are not typically considered sexually transmitted infections, sexual activity can influence your risk. Here are some considerations:

  • Practice good hygiene before and after sexual activity
  • Avoid sexual activity during a yeast infection
  • Use condoms to reduce the risk of passing infections between partners
  • Be aware that some lubricants or spermicides may increase infection risk

Can sexual activity cause yeast infections? While sexual activity itself doesn’t cause yeast infections, it can introduce new bacteria or disrupt the vaginal pH, potentially increasing the risk. Is it necessary to abstain from sex during treatment for a yeast infection? Yes, it’s generally recommended to avoid sexual activity until the infection has cleared to prevent further irritation and potential spread to a partner.

Natural Remedies and Supplements for Yeast Infection Prevention

While medical treatments are essential for active yeast infections, some natural remedies and supplements may help prevent recurrence:

  • Probiotic supplements
  • Cranberry supplements
  • Tea tree oil (for external use only)
  • Garlic supplements
  • Boric acid suppositories (under medical supervision)

How do cranberry supplements help prevent yeast infections? Cranberries contain compounds that may help prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, potentially reducing the risk of infections. Are natural remedies as effective as medical treatments for yeast infections? While natural remedies may help prevent infections, they are not a substitute for medical treatment of active infections. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

By incorporating these preventive measures into your daily routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing yeast infections. Remember, while these strategies can be effective, they’re not foolproof. If you experience persistent or recurrent symptoms, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

10 Ways to Prevent Candidal Vulvovaginitis

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD on September 20, 2021

If you’re like 75% of women, you’ll get at least one yeast infection during your lifetime. Half will get two or more.

You’re more likely to get one when you:

  • Are pregnant
  • Have diabetes
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Take antibiotics
  • Use birth control with high doses of the hormone estrogen
  • Use douches or vaginal sprays

It may not be possible for all women to prevent yeast infections, but here’s what you can do to lower your odds.

  1. Wear breathable underwear. Cotton is your best choice. It doesn’t hold onto heat or moisture. It will help keep you dry.
  2. Keep things loose. Make sure your jeans, skirts, underwear, yoga pants, tights, pantyhose, etc. aren’t too snug. They can boost your body temperature and increase the amount of moisture around your private parts. That raises your chances for a yeast infection.
  3. Don’t douche. “Feminine hygiene products” like douches can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina by removing some of the good bacteria that’s supposed to be there to fight off infections. And skip the scent in feminine products. This includes bubble baths, soaps, sprays, tampons, and pads.
  4. Avoid hot tubs and extra hot baths. Hot and damp are never your friends.
  5. Change out of wet clothes. Don’t sit in a wet bathing suit after you go swimming or damp workout gear after the gym. Change into dry clothes right away.
  6. In the bathroom, always wipe from front to back.
  7. When on your period, change your tampons, pads, and panty liners often.
  8. Manage your diabetes. If you have it, be sure to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels and keep them under control.
  9. Use antibiotics only when you have to. You don’t need them for conditions like a cold, because they don’t do anything against a virus. If you don’t have to, don’t take them.
  10. Eat yogurt that contains active cultures to add to the good bacteria that help your body control yeast.

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9 ways to prevent yeast infections

Learn how to prevent yeast infection with practices like better hydration, probiotic consumption, and vitamin supplementation

Yeast infection prevention | Risk factors | When to see a doctor

Yeast infections are a really common thing that no one really wants to talk about. Why? Well… women just don’t want to. It’s uncomfortable, maybe even embarrassing. Vaginal itching and discharge or pain during intercourse aren’t exactly dinner table topics. But the truth is- yeast infections really are very common. In fact, the CDC reports that they are the second most common type of vaginal infection in women and result in 1.4 million outpatient doctor visits every year. 

Why are yeast infections so common and where do they come from? Yeast infections are an overgrowth of a common fungus we all have on our skin known as Candida. It’s on our skin, in our mouth, in our pelvic region, and basically everywhere to some extent. Certain body conditions or changes may allow an overgrowth of this type of fungus, and that overgrowth in the vaginal area is known as vaginal candidiasis or vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vaginal candidiasis can present with varying symptoms which may include vaginal itching or soreness, vaginal discharge, pain during intercourse, or pain during urination. These symptoms of a yeast infection are typically mild, but if left untreated, can become severe and cause redness, irritation, swelling, and cracks in the vaginal wall. These symptoms can be indicative of other bacterial conditions or sexually transmitted infections as well, so it’s important to contact your health care provider to make sure it’s not something else.

While yeast infections are common and can occur in anyone, some people are more susceptible. Pregnant women and those who have diabetes are more likely to experience an overgrowth of vaginal yeast. Patients who take hormonal birth control pills, steroids, chemotherapy, or who have a weakened immune system may also be more susceptible. Patients who have recently taken a course of antibiotics are also very susceptible too as the normal bacterial and fungal balance of the body is normally upset by a course of antibiotics.

RELATED: Can men get yeast infections? 

9 ways to prevent yeast infections

There are a number of ways to prevent a yeast infection.

1. Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use

Antibiotics can kill off the healthy bacteria in the vagina, causing an overgrowth of yeast, thus leading to a yeast infection. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, or COVID-19. It is important to only take antibiotics as directed by your doctor and only for the prescribed length of time. If you have a known history of yeast infections after antibiotic use, discuss yeast infection treatment options at the time you start the antibiotic therapy so that you will be prepared.

2. Wear cotton underwear

Loose-fitting, cotton underwear is most conducive to a healthy microbiome. Avoid garments that are tight and aren’t as breathable, as well as things like sweaty workout wear. These clothes can create a humid, damp area, which is the ideal environment for Candida overgrowth. Because of this, it is also important to change out of damp or sweaty clothes, like workout clothes or swimwear, quickly.

3. Avoid hot tubs and scalding hot baths

Hot water can foster Candida growth, due to the warm, moist environments. It can also harm the integrity of the skin, making you more prone to sensitive skin conditions.

4. Take probiotics or eat yogurt with probiotics 

Probiotics help balance the gastrointestinal and vaginal microflora. As well as treatment for yeast infections, probiotics are helpful in the prevention of yeast infections. They replace the good bacteria in the digestive tract and other parts of the body to restore balance. The best probiotic to take will be with those containing the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 bacteria. 

5. Practice good hygiene

Avoid behaviors that may lead to yeast infections, such as poor hygiene. When performing personal hygiene practices, avoid douching, scented vaginal washes or scented lotions, as well as perfumed sanitary products near the genitals, which can throw off the balance of the vagina’s microflora.

6. Avoid sugary and processed foods 

Yeast grows from sugar, so this can cause a surplus of yeast growth. This includes foods high in natural yeast as well such as bread, cheese, fruit, and alcoholic drinks. By not providing yeast its natural food and energy source, you are essentially starving it away.

7. Incorporate foods which are known to inhibit yeast

Eating at least a half cup of yogurt daily can help inhibit yeast overgrowth. Garlic is also a well known natural remedy to yeast, so incorporating that into your diet can be helpful. Cranberry juice or cranberry pill forms may also be helpful at preventing yeast infections. Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to prevent the growth of Candida.

8. Vitamin C strengthens the body’s natural immunity

Vitamin C is a good vitamin for anyone because it boosts your body’s immune system against many opportunistic infections, including Candida. Those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to yeast infection.

9. Stay hydrated

Drink enough water to maintain healthy skin membranes in the vaginal area, oral cavity, and elsewhere to prevent opportunistic infections of yeast, bacteria, and other organisms

What increases my risk of getting a yeast infection?

Chances are, a woman will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point in her lifetime. In fact, it is estimated that about 70% of women experience at least one in their life. Most of these, nine out of 10 in fact, will be due to a specific strain of Candida known as Candida albicans. Unfortunately, about 8% of women will have recurrent yeast infections, meaning they will continue to suffer from them repeatedly to some extent. It’s hard to track the exact incidence of vaginal yeast infections, because there are many over-the-counter treatments which are effective cures. Thus many of vaginal yeast infections are often under-reported because many women never go to the doctor to seek diagnosis or treatment.

There are some things that put you at a higher risk of getting yeast infections, whether just once or repeatedly. These can include but may not be limited to:

  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes Mellitus (high blood sugar)
  • Immunocompromised status (HIV/AIDS/post-transplant)
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotic use
  • Wearing tight clothing which does not allow good air flow to the pelvic area
  • Frequent shaving of the pelvic region
  • Sitting or being inactive for too long in wet clothing or wet bathing suits
  • Bad hygiene habits

There are some common myths around vaginal yeast infections as well. They are not a sexually transmitted infection or sexually transmitted disease, even though sexually active females are more likely to get them. Yeast infections can occur in other places such as the mouth or even in your bloodstream and be life threatening. Having a yeast infection does not mean you are “unclean,” but you may need to make adjustments in your hygiene routine and products.

When to see a doctor

Vaginal yeast infections, which may be referred to as Candida vulvovaginitis, can be managed by different types of healthcare practitioners including gynecologists, family care providers, primary care providers, or urgent care providers. Typically, they are treated with azole antifungal medications that are either OTC or prescriptions and symptoms resolve in just a few days. 

While yeast infections can be treated OTC many times, there are many scenarios where you should check in with your provider first to make sure treatment is appropriate and that the symptoms you are experiencing aren’t actually indicative of something else, like bacterial vaginosis for instance. This allows for your health care provider to give the best medical advice and best treatment plan. Be sure to disclose all health problems and previous treatments, including sexual health.

If you think your symptoms are consistent with a vaginal yeast infection, you should visit with your doctor if one of the following is also true before treating with an OTC product:

  • You are pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding
  • You are the victim of sexual trauma or abuse
  • This is the first time you have experienced these symptoms
  • You have recently completed treatment for a yeast infection and it has returned 

Your doctor may also need to screen for other diagnoses which have similar symptoms like the presence of foreign bodies, malignancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and the presence of harmful bacteria and bacterial infections. Complicated yeast infections or more severe infections which may have caused severe symptoms such as visible redness and swelling of the vulva, and cracking on the vaginal wall, may require longer treatment (one week or longer) with oral prescription drugs.

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