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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 yeast infection. How does proper hygiene contribute to preventing vaginal yeast overgrowth.

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Understanding Yeast Infections: Causes and Risk Factors

Yeast infections, medically known as candidal vulvovaginitis, are a common vaginal condition affecting up to 75% of women at least once in their lifetime. These infections occur when there’s an overgrowth of Candida, a naturally occurring fungus present in the body. While yeast infections can be uncomfortable, understanding their causes and risk factors is the first step in prevention.

Several factors can increase your susceptibility to yeast infections:

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

Are certain women more prone to yeast infections? Yes, some individuals are at higher risk due to hormonal changes, medical conditions, or lifestyle factors. However, by implementing preventive measures, most women can significantly reduce their chances of developing these infections.

The Importance of Breathable Underwear in Yeast Infection Prevention

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent yeast infections is by choosing the right underwear. Cotton underwear is highly recommended as it allows for proper air circulation and helps keep the vaginal area dry.

Why is breathable underwear so crucial? Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments. By wearing breathable underwear, you create an unfavorable environment for yeast growth. Cotton underwear absorbs moisture and allows air to circulate, helping to maintain a healthy vaginal pH balance.

Tips for Choosing the Right Underwear:

  • Opt for 100% cotton or cotton-lined underwear
  • Avoid synthetic materials like nylon or polyester
  • Choose underwear with a cotton crotch, even if the rest is made from other materials
  • Consider sleeping without underwear to allow for maximum airflow

By making these simple changes to your underwear choices, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing a yeast infection.

Loose-Fitting Clothing: A Key to Vaginal Health

In addition to breathable underwear, wearing loose-fitting clothing can play a significant role in preventing yeast infections. Tight clothing, especially in the genital area, can create a warm, moist environment that encourages yeast growth.

How does loose clothing help prevent yeast infections? Loose-fitting clothes allow for better air circulation, reducing moisture and heat buildup around the vaginal area. This creates an environment less conducive to yeast overgrowth.

Clothing Recommendations for Yeast Infection Prevention:

  • Choose loose-fitting pants or skirts
  • Opt for breathable fabrics like cotton or linen
  • Avoid tight jeans or leggings, especially in hot weather
  • Wear loose-fitting pajamas or sleep shirts at night

By incorporating these clothing choices into your daily wardrobe, you can help maintain proper vaginal health and reduce your risk of yeast infections.

The Dangers of Douching and Scented Feminine Products

While many women believe that douching and using scented feminine products promote cleanliness, these practices can actually increase the risk of yeast infections. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ with a delicate balance of bacteria and yeast. Douching and scented products can disrupt this balance, leading to an overgrowth of yeast.

Why are douches and scented products harmful? Douching can wash away the good bacteria that naturally protect against yeast overgrowth. Scented products, on the other hand, can irritate the delicate vaginal tissues and alter the pH balance, creating an environment favorable for yeast growth.

Healthy Vaginal Hygiene Practices:

  • Avoid douching altogether
  • Use unscented soaps and cleansers
  • Opt for unscented tampons, pads, and panty liners
  • Rinse the vaginal area with warm water only
  • Pat dry after bathing or showering

By following these hygiene practices, you can maintain the natural balance of your vaginal flora and reduce your risk of yeast infections.

Avoiding Hot Tubs and Prolonged Exposure to Moisture

While a relaxing soak in a hot tub might seem appealing, it can increase your risk of developing a yeast infection. The combination of heat and moisture creates an ideal environment for yeast to thrive. Similarly, staying in wet clothes, such as a damp swimsuit or sweaty workout gear, can also promote yeast growth.

How does moisture contribute to yeast infections? Excessive moisture in the vaginal area can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast, potentially leading to an overgrowth of Candida.

Tips for Managing Moisture:

  • Limit time spent in hot tubs or very hot baths
  • Change out of wet swimsuits or workout clothes promptly
  • Use a clean towel to dry thoroughly after swimming or bathing
  • Wear moisture-wicking underwear during workouts
  • Consider using antifungal powders in areas prone to moisture buildup

By implementing these moisture management strategies, you can create a less hospitable environment for yeast and reduce your risk of infections.

Proper Hygiene Practices: Wiping and Menstrual Care

Maintaining proper hygiene, especially during bathroom use and menstruation, is crucial in preventing yeast infections. Simple practices can make a significant difference in maintaining vaginal health and preventing the spread of harmful bacteria.

Why is proper wiping technique important? Wiping from front to back after using the bathroom helps prevent the transfer of bacteria from the anal area to the vagina, which can lead to infections.

Essential Hygiene Practices:

  • Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet
  • Change tampons, pads, and panty liners frequently during menstruation
  • Wash your hands before and after changing menstrual products
  • Consider using unscented, hypoallergenic menstrual products
  • Clean menstrual cups thoroughly between uses

By incorporating these hygiene practices into your routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing yeast infections and maintain overall vaginal health.

Managing Diabetes and Blood Sugar Levels

For women with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels is crucial not only for overall health but also for preventing yeast infections. High blood sugar levels can create an environment that promotes yeast growth, making diabetic women more susceptible to these infections.

How does diabetes increase the risk of yeast infections? Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to increased glucose in vaginal secretions, providing more food for yeast to grow and multiply.

Strategies for Diabetic Women to Prevent Yeast Infections:

  • Monitor and control blood sugar levels consistently
  • Follow a balanced diet low in refined sugars and carbohydrates
  • Exercise regularly to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels
  • Take prescribed diabetes medications as directed
  • Stay hydrated to help flush out excess sugar

By effectively managing diabetes and blood sugar levels, women can significantly reduce their risk of recurring yeast infections and improve their overall vaginal health.

The Role of Antibiotics in Yeast Infections and Responsible Use

While antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections, they can inadvertently increase the risk of yeast infections. Antibiotics don’t discriminate between harmful and beneficial bacteria, often disrupting the delicate balance of vaginal flora.

Why do antibiotics increase the risk of yeast infections? By eliminating beneficial bacteria that normally keep yeast in check, antibiotics can create an environment where yeast can overgrow unchecked.

Guidelines for Responsible Antibiotic Use:

  • Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional
  • Complete the full course of antibiotics as directed
  • Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use for viral infections like colds or flu
  • Consider taking probiotics during and after antibiotic treatment
  • Inform your doctor if you’re prone to yeast infections before starting antibiotics

By using antibiotics responsibly and taking preventive measures, you can reduce your risk of developing antibiotic-induced yeast infections.

The Benefits of Probiotics and Yogurt in Preventing Yeast Infections

Probiotics, particularly those found in yogurt with active cultures, can play a significant role in preventing yeast infections. These beneficial bacteria help maintain the natural balance of microorganisms in the vagina, making it less hospitable for yeast overgrowth.

How do probiotics help prevent yeast infections? Probiotics, especially strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus, can help restore and maintain the natural vaginal flora, creating an environment that’s less conducive to yeast overgrowth.

Incorporating Probiotics into Your Diet:

  • Eat yogurt with live, active cultures regularly
  • Consider probiotic supplements, especially after antibiotic use
  • Try fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi
  • Look for probiotic-enriched foods at your local grocery store
  • Consult with a healthcare provider about the best probiotic strains for vaginal health

By incorporating probiotics into your diet, you can support your body’s natural defenses against yeast infections and promote overall vaginal health.

Lifestyle Changes and Dietary Considerations for Yeast Infection Prevention

In addition to specific preventive measures, certain lifestyle changes and dietary considerations can significantly reduce your risk of developing yeast infections. These holistic approaches focus on creating an overall environment in your body that’s less favorable to yeast overgrowth.

Can diet affect your susceptibility to yeast infections? Yes, certain dietary habits can influence the balance of bacteria and yeast in your body, potentially impacting your risk of yeast infections.

Lifestyle and Dietary Tips for Yeast Infection Prevention:

  • Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrate intake
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques or exercise
  • Get adequate sleep to support your immune system
  • Consider incorporating antifungal foods like garlic and coconut oil into your diet
  • Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
  • Quit smoking or avoid exposure to secondhand smoke

By adopting these lifestyle changes and dietary considerations, you can create a body environment that’s less conducive to yeast overgrowth, reducing your risk of infections.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Yeast Infections

While prevention is key, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention for potential yeast infections. Some symptoms may indicate a more serious condition or a recurring infection that requires professional treatment.

When should you see a doctor for a suspected yeast infection? If you experience persistent symptoms, recurring infections, or if over-the-counter treatments aren’t effective, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider.

Signs That Warrant Medical Attention:

  • Symptoms that persist for more than a week
  • Severe pain, swelling, or redness in the vaginal area
  • Unusual discharge with a strong odor
  • Fever or chills accompanying vaginal symptoms
  • Recurring yeast infections (more than four in a year)
  • Symptoms that worsen despite self-treatment
  • Pregnancy or a weakened immune system

By recognizing these signs and seeking timely medical attention, you can ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, preventing potential complications and recurrent infections.

Implementing these preventive measures and being aware of when to seek medical help can significantly reduce your risk of yeast infections. Remember, maintaining vaginal health is an important aspect of overall well-being, and these strategies can help you stay comfortable and infection-free.

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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