Yeast infections are a great discomfort and quite embarrassing to have. It's better to prevent them than to treat them. Here's how to prevent yeast infections.
Yeast infections are incredibly common. In fact, vaginal yeast infections affect up to 75% of women during their lifetime. Yeast infections aren't limited to just women though. You can get a yeast infection in your mouth, called thrush, on your skin, or even in your bloodstream.
An antifungal medicine typically will get rid of the yeast infection, but it's much better to prevent yeast infections before they even occur to save yourself the pain and discomfort associated with them. To learn more about how to prevent yeast infections, read on.
1. Take Probiotics
Yeast infections are typically caused by an excess of candida. Learn more about what that looks like so you know what to expect
. Probiotics help fill your body with good bacteria that can fight off bad bacteria, such as the excess yeast that causes yeast infections. You can take probiotic supplements or consume things like yogurt, which is rich in good bacteria that helps promote a healthy pH in your vagina and encourage the growth of good bacteria.
The benefit of probiotics is that they can prevent yeast infections and help maintain gut health, helping with many gastrointestinal issues you might be experienced.
2. Wear Cotton Underwear
Yeast thrives in damp and humid environments. If you are wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics, such as nylon or blended materials, it can cling to your body and doesn't dry as quickly. This is especially pronounced in the summer. Cotton underwear are lighter and breathable and absorb dampness.
Cotton underwear are also very important if you are wearing leggings, pantyhose or tights, or other tight pants often. Those items are often made of synthetic materials and cotton can help minimize moisture buildup.
3. Change Your Diet
Yeast grows when your diet is high in sugar, especially processed and simple sugars. Changes to your diet can help inhibit the excessive growth of yeast. A diet low in sugar and processed food can help you prevent yeast infections in your vagina and on your skin. Other diet changes that can prevent yeast infections include:
- Removing white flour and glutenous grains
- Cutting out many diary products, particularly whole milk
- Limited or eliminating anything fermented with yeast, like alcohol
4. Don't Use Scented Soaps and Lotions
Scented soaps, lotions, and laundry detergent can disrupt the pH of your vagina, causing irritation and yeast infections. Even if the products don't cause a yeast infection directly, they could cause itching and irritation, which can often be misdiagnosed as a yeast infection that your doctor may treat with an antibiotic. Antibiotics, though, are one of the main causes of yeast infections.
5. Avoid Antibiotics
Sometimes antibiotics are necessary, but if you are prone to yeast infections, let your doctor know. Antibiotics are used to kill harmful bacteria in your body, but at the same time, they often kill the good bacteria in your body. If an antibiotic is necessary, there are things you can do to prevent a yeast infection, such as taking an anti-fungal, replenishing good bacteria through probiotics, or using yogurt to increase good bacteria.
How to Prevent Yeast Infections in Adults and Children
Now that you know how to prevent yeast infections, you can take steps to ensure that you don't suffer from this uncomfortable condition. While yeast infections are generally not life-threatening, they can put a damper on your day-to-day activities and are painful.
If you found this health information useful, be sure to explore some of our other posts for more valuable information.
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