Prevent Yeast Infections

Yeast infections, which cause uncomfortable itching and burning in the vaginal area, are a common ailment among women. About 75 percent of women have at least one yeast infection during a lifetime. But there are steps that you can take to help prevent yeast infections. Learn how to prevent yeast infections by wearing the right clothing, practicing good hygiene, and making diet and lifestyle changes.

Steps

Staying Clean and Dry

1. Wear loose fitting clothes made from a breathable fabric. Avoid wearing tight pants made from synthetic materials, such as spandex. Instead, choose clothing that is loose fitting and made from a breathable natural material, such as cotton. Tight fitting clothing is more likely to create a moist environment in the vaginal area and synthetic materials do not breathe as well as natural ones. Both of these factors make it more likely for a yeast infection to develop.
   • If you must wear pantyhose or spandex leggings, choose ones that have a cotton panel in the crotch. This cotton panel will help to pull moisture away from the vaginal area.
   • If you are especially prone to yeast infections, then you may want to skip pantyhose and leggings altogether. Opt for loose fitting pants and skirts to keep the vaginal area dry.
2. Change out of wet or sweaty clothing right away. Avoid wearing moist clothing for too long. If your clothing and or undergarments are wet from going swimming or going to the gym, change into clean dry clothes as soon as possible. Keeping the vaginal area dry will help to prevent yeast infections.
3. Shower instead of taking baths. Hot baths may increase your chances of developing a yeast infection, so it is best to take showers if you are prone to yeast infections. Use a gentle soap or body wash to clean the outside of your vagina.
   • Do not clean the inside of your vagina because doing so may throw off your vaginal pH.
   • Avoid hot baths and hot tubs as well.
4. Choose unscented tampons and hygiene products. The perfumes in scented tampons can throw off the balance of bacteria in your vagina, which may cause a yeast infection. Other scented products may also cause such an imbalance, so avoid products that are scented or that have lots of chemicals.
   • Avoid douches, feminine deodorant sprays, and vaginal cleansers.
   • Avoid using talcum powder or baby powder in the genital region. Talcum powder usage has been linked with ovarian cancer and some studies estimate a 30-60% increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who use talcum powder in the vaginal area.
5. Wipe from front to back when you use the bathroom. Women are often taught to wipe from front to back because of the proximity of the anus to the vagina. Bad bacteria from the anus may cause a yeast infection if it gets into the vagina. In order to reduce the chances of getting bad bacteria in the vagina, it is important to wipe from front to back when you use the bathroom.

Using Diet and Lifestyle Changes

1. Eat yogurt or take a daily probiotic supplement. Intake of probiotics such as lactobacillus and acidophilus may aid in the prevention of yeast infections. These probiotics species are considered a natural part of vaginal flora and they help keep the vagina in balance.
   • Try eating a cup of yogurt daily.
   • Consider taking a daily probiotic supplement.
2. Minimize your use of antibiotics. Antibiotic use has been linked with yeast infections, so do not use antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary. It is especially important to avoid broad spectrum antibiotics, since they may kill off good bacteria along with the bad.
3. Control your blood glucose levels if you are diabetic. Women with diabetes are more prone to yeast infections, so it is important to take extra precautions if you are diabetic. Keep your blood glucose levels under control to help reduce your risk of developing a yeast infection along with other complications.
4. Reduce stress. Stress has also been linked with yeast infections, so it is important to manage stress if you are prone to yeast infections. Try incorporating some daily relaxation exercises into your routine, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.

Getting Medical Help

1. Know the symptoms. The symptoms of a yeast infection include a thick “cottage cheese” like discharge, itching and irritation, and redness around the vulva and vagina. It is possible to get recurring yeast infections. Some women may get four or more yeast infections per year.
   • Tell your doctor if you get frequent yeast infections. Your doctor may be able to determine an underlying cause and help you take appropriate preventative measures.
2. Ask for a diagnosis. Your doctor can diagnose your yeast infection to be sure that that is what you are dealing with. Your doctor may be able to tell that you have a yeast infection just by doing a vaginal examination, but if the cause of your condition is unclear, your doctor can examine a swab of your discharge under a microscope.
3. Get treated. A yeast infection is usually treated with an antifungal agent. Your doctor may either recommend that you take a single oral dose of Diflucan 2 gm orally, or nighty Diflucan or clotrimazole, which is available over the counter in most drugstores. All “azole” medications have similar safety and efficacy.
   • Follow the package and/or your doctor’s instructions for use.
   • There are several types of over-the-counter yeast infection treatments available in one day, three day, or five day regimens, and they have all been shown to be safe and effective by the FDA.
   • Some options will require a prescription. For example, a single dose of Diflucan, requires a healthcare provider visit and a prescription.

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