Let’s face it, yeast infections are no fun. Not only do they itch, they can interfere with life on a daily basis. After all, who really wants to go around feeling yucky?
Yeast infections are an extremely common thing. In fact, almost 75 percent of women have experienced a yeast infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That’s three out of four women.
Medically referred to as vulvovaginal candidiasis, a yeast infection is a fungal infection that develops when the body has too much of a naturally occurring yeast called Candida. This overgrowth can cause the familiar itching experienced when hit with a yeast infection. In addition, it can cause discharge and irritation of the vaginal area in general when a yeast infection develops.
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent yeast infections. While the body will ultimately do as it wishes, these steps can help to decrease your risk of yeast infections in general.
Following are five things you can do to lower your risk.
1. Yogurt
Yogurt is the go-to source for yeast infection prevention. In fact, many women who consume yogurt swear by it when it comes to avoiding “the itch.”
But just why is yogurt so helpful when it comes to this common female health issue?
Yogurt contains a “good bacteria” known as Lactobacillus acidophilus. L. acidophilus is generally found in the mouth, intestines, and vagina. (Yes, we have healthy bacteria “down there.”)
According to the Mayo Clinic, the L. acidophilus bacteria produces acid. In turn, that acid prevents yeast overgrowth. However, when good bacteria is knocked out of whack, a yeast infection occurs.
So make yogurt a part of your routine. Look for a brand that contains live active cultures. And if you don’t like yogurt, consider adding probiotic supplements to your health regime.
2. Wear Cotton Panties
It’s easy to find super sexy panties. But many of these options are not cotton. And that’s a no-no.
Cotton panties are essential to the health of our nether regions for one good reason. Cotton lets your hoo-ha breathe. And breathe it must. Think of it like a sweaty locker room. If there’s no room for air movement, bacteria multiply.
OK, but what if you’re not into cotton? If you’re really daring, consider giving your vagina a break from underwear altogether. "I'm a big fan of wearing long skirts with no underwear to let air get to the perineal area for women who have a history of chronic infections," Jill Rabin, MD, head of urogynecology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the author of Mind Over Bladder tells Prevention.
So pitch those non-cotton underwear. Your vag will appreciate the chance to breathe. Aaaaah.
3. Avoid Antibacterial Soap
Do you use antibacterial soap on your vagina? This is a definite lose-lose situation when it comes to yeast infections.
Consider this story.
Jennifer Smith (name changed for privacy) continued to get yeast infections. No matter what she did, they would come back again and again. Finally, she went to a gynecological nurse practitioner for advice.
The first question the nurse practitioner asked her was what type of soap she used on her vagina. Her answer was a common one: antibacterial soap. The nurse practitioner told her to switch to a trusted oldie: plain old Dove. The infections have since ceased and never recurred.
You see, as we said earlier, our vaginas have both good and bad bacteria. And when we use antibacterial soaps, we risk killing off the good bacteria that the body needs to fight off infection.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even started talking to consumers about the negative effects of antibacterial soap. "New data suggest that the risks associated with long-term, daily use of antibacterial soaps may outweigh the benefits," says Colleen Rogers, Ph.D., a lead microbiologist at the FDA in a Consumer Update. This statement was issued because research shows that certain ingredients in these soaps can contribute to antibiotic bacterial resistance and may cause hormonal effects.
To combat the risks associated with antibacterial soap, try using regular soap. You can even find liquid body washes that are not antibacterial.
4. Take Steps to Prevent Diabetes
We say this over and over again, but for just cause. Make healthy eating a priority in your life. One of the many reasons for this is that eating a well-balanced diet is an excellent way to prevent Type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects more than 29 million Americans.
Diabetes isn’t something to take lightly. It’s the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Further, yeast infections are common among those with this disease.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), “the culprit in fungal infections of people with diabetes is often Candida albicans.” If you remember, Candida is the yeast that causes yeast infections. This is why yeast infections often occur in those who are diabetic.
To reduce your risk of diabetes, lifestyle changes can be made. The first step in this process is to lose weight. In fact, the ADA says that losing just 10 to 15 pounds can make a big difference.
In addition, aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. The ADA says to try to exercise 30 minutes a day five days a week. Just remember to start slowly as opposed to jumping into an exercise routine full force.
And of course, eat healthy. Make it a priority to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Further, limit excess sugar intake. Read labels to see just how much sugar is in the foods that you are choosing. And remember that sugar can masquerade as a multitude of different names.
5. Don’t Douche
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly one in four women between the ages of 15 and 44 douches. And this isn’t a good thing.
That’s because douching has been directly linked to vaginal infections.
When you douche, you literally wash out the inside of the vagina. This means you’re washing out everything-good bacteria included.
So skip the douche and wash well with warm soap and water. Your vagina will thank you for the ability to keep good bacteria in check.