Ways To Prevent Yeast Infections

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Ways To Prevent Yeast Infections

Originally Published: Oct. 16, 2015
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Many folks with vulvas find that summer is the most common season for yeast infections , but knowing how to prevent a yeast infection is a good skill all year round. Dodging yeast infections can be a breeze once you've got the basics down. It's all about locking in the right daily routines and weekly habits; that way, you're practicing prevention regularly and it doesn't even feel like you're doing anything extra.
Let's begin with a refresher on what a yeast infection is before we get into how to prevent them. First of all, yeast is a fungus that is naturally present in your vagina, and it's not harmful in and of itself. But as soon as there are too many yeast cells in the area — and anything from from high estrogen levels to antibiotics to pregnancy can cause your yeast cell levels to rise — you risk an infection. A yeast called Candida albicans is the most common culprit behind yeast infections.
"It’s important to try and identify the cause of the yeast infection, especially if it’s recurrent," Dr. Sherry Ross M.D. , an OB-GYN, tells Bustle. "Understanding the long list of culprits helps you understand potential causes."
Tell-tale signs of a yeast infection are itchiness and soreness in the vagina and vulva, as well as a burning sensation when you're peeing or having sex. You might also see some discharge that is white or colorless, and resembles cottage cheese. If you haven't had a yeast infection before, consult with your doctor before treating — these symptoms can also be signs of certain STIs. These symptoms may sound unpleasant, but yeast infections are very common among people with vaginas and can be taken care of fairly easily.
Read up on the eight ways you can prevent yeast infections.
Ah, so many health issues seem to come back to those magical probiotics. According to many, they're a remarkable way to ward off yeast infections. For example, some yogurt contains Lactobacillus acidophilus , a type of bacteria that is your friend; it's known to maintain a healthy pH balance in your vagina and encourage the growth of other friendly bacteria . (Always eat probiotic-enriched yogurt. Don't put it in your vagina.)
Antibiotics can cause yeast infections, Dr. Felice Gersh M.D., an OB-GYN and author of PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track , tells Bustle. In some people, antibiotic consumption kills off healthy bacteria as well as infections, and creates yeast overgrowth. It's worth talking to your doctor about how to support the good bacteria in your system while your antibiotics work to take out the bad.
Extra estrogen in the body can lead to the production of more yeast, according to Dr. Linda Speer, M.D., at Healthy Women. That's why Dr. Gersh suggests considering not using hormonal contraceptives, which contain estrogen. "They can alter the important vaginal microbial population," which, if you're particularly prone to yeast infections, isn't great news. It's worthwhile for yeast infection-prone people to consider birth control options out there that don't contain estrogen, such as the copper IUD or progesterone-only pills.
Of course, you should speak with your OB-GYN before you just decide to make the switch on your own — they'll have more specific insight into the unique functioning of your body.
You want to keep your vulva as dry as possible , free from warmth and moisture, because yeast thrives in humid environments. One way to do this is to stick to underwear made from natural fabrics, such as cotton and silk; they absorb dampness, leaving your vagina as healthily dry as possible. Synthetic stuff like nylon and blended materials cling to your body too closely, making you a prime target for infection. "Avoid tight, occlusive clothing, and choose natural, breathable fabrics," Dr. Gersh says.
If you often wear leggings, gym pants or pantyhose without any underwear underneath, consider investing in some comfy cotton undies. Your crotch will thank you for it — going commando in tight-fitting clothes made out of those kinds of synthetic fibers results in a lot of heat and moisture build-up, which paves the way for a big yeast gathering.
Scented hygiene products do not belong in your vagina, Dr. Gersh says. " Try to avoid chemicals used within the vagina — lubricants, spermicides, and so on," she says. Perfumes and dyes irritate the inside of your vagina and increase the risk of a yeast infection. And the same goes for scented soaps and anything else that comes in contact with your goods. "Choose wisely, and use only what is truly needed," Dr. Gersh says.
Don't do anything too rough to clean yourself, like douching, as that will cause irritation and might wreck the balances in your vagina. But do wash your zone — regular water will do the trick. If you're prone to yeast infections, Dr. Gersh says, " think about every product touching the skin — lotions, soaps, lubricants, scents, sanitary pads, detergents, fabric softeners, and fabrics." Part of your general body-cleaning routine might be causing an issue.
Keeping good hygiene practices around your vulva is a good way to avoid yeast infections. Change out of your swimsuit immediately after you're done in the sauna or swimming pool to avoid moist genitals. This also applies to wet workout clothes, according to Dr. Jessica Shepherd M.D., an OB-GYN, who tells Bustle that sweat can promote bacterial vaginal overgrowth . On the toilet bowl, wipe front to back to keep bad bacteria out of the sensitive areas.
Your immune system plays an important role in keeping yeast infections away, and if you're not catching enough Zzz's every night, it won't be able to properly function . Stress from sleep deprivation can increase the risk of yeast infections , according to Harvard Health. Even if you're planted in bed for eight hours a night, if you're tossing and turning, you're not getting the sleep you truly need. So prioritize getting enough restful shut-eye.
Yeast thrives off of sugar, especially processed and simple sugars, as well as grains and other glutinous foods. There's even a fully comprehensive program to inhibit yeast growth called the Candida Diet. Scientific American reported in 2018 that changing diet likely affects yeast infections by changing the content of your urine. Rachel Stone, MSN MPH, Pill Club ’s Director of Triage, tells Bustle that sugar can be a major culprit in recurrent yeast infections as it can affect the pH balance in your vagina.
A study in mice published in American Society Of Microbiology mSphere in 2015 showed that there may be a link between diet and yeast infections, but Harvard Health points out that people who are eating poorly may also be placing their bodies under stress, impacting their immune system. If you're interested in trying a dietary change to help your yeast infections, consult with your doctor to see if it would make sense for you.
Gunsalus, K. T., Tornberg-Belanger, S. N., Matthan, N. R., Lichtenstein, A. H., & Kumamoto, C. A. (2015). Manipulation of Host Diet To Reduce Gastrointestinal Colonization by the Opportunistic Pathogen Candida albicans. mSphere, 1(1), e00020-15. https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00020-15
This article was originally published on Oct. 16, 2015

By Akanksha Shah Sanghvi , MD, Clinical Dermatology


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Home > Nutrition > 10 Foods That Prevent Yeast Infections
Candida albicans , a type of yeast, is a natural part of the human microbiota. It lives on your skin and within your gut without causing any harm. This commensal organism actually helps your body perform certain key functions better.
But overgrowth of this fungus can disrupt the healthy flora, taking the form of a fungal infection. In fact, C. albicans is the most common source of fungal infections in human beings.
It can cause superficial mucosal candidiasis, such as oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections, or enter the bloodstream and travel to different organs in the body such as the kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, brain, and heart valves, causing infection and even leading to death. People with compromised immunity, such as those with HIV, are at a greater risk of the latter.
Evidence suggests that such infections usually start with fungal overgrowth inside the patient’s gut, which then spreads to various other sites in the body.
The best way to manage these fungal infections and keeping them from turning fatal is by preventing them from occurring in the first place. Diet can play a major role in keeping the yeast population within your mouth and gut in check.
The following are food items with the fungicidal activity that can help you control and prevent fungal overgrowth, some of which might even be effective against fluconazole (antifungal drug)-resistant Candida . (1)
For any microbe to infect any part of your body, it will first have to find a suitable place to stick itself to. Then, it will replicate, forming a biofilm across the surface, and cause an infection. (2) Biofilm formation has been associated with increased resistance of the fungi against antifungal drugs.
It has been shown that cranberry extracts inhibit the growth of candida species and contain proanthocyanidins that do not allow these pathogens to stick to any surface due to their anti-adhesive nature. (3)
Research suggests that consuming this fruit can help curb the rapid proliferation of these fungal microbes in your mouth and urinary tract to prevent an infection. (4)
Research has focused its attention on the effects of the kind of fats you eat on the colonization of yeast within your gut. Two edible oils that seem to possess antifungal properties that may help prevent candida infections are coconut and olive oil, largely due to their fatty acid profile.
It is suggested that the lauric acid in coconut oil can help alter the functioning of yeast cells to prevent them from overgrowing and forming a fungal biofilm that causes an infection. These findings are primarily based on animal studies and need to be replicated in larger human trials, but researchers are hopeful that upping the dietary intake of coconut oil will benefit humans in the same way. (1)
Furthermore, consuming both coconut oil and olive oil may even be useful in controlling the growth of yeasts that are resistant to the standard antifungal drug fluconazole. (5) (6)
With the rise of drug-resistant fungi, more sustainable preventive measures are required today, and probiotics are a step in that direction.
Fermented foods such as pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut, buttermilk, yogurt, cheese, kefir, and sour cream are some of the best dietary sources of probiotics. Studies show that including these probiotic-rich foods in your diet can help reduce the severity and duration of yeast infections.
The mechanism behind this is simple: probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help keep the harmful microbes under control to maintain a healthy gut flora. By that logic, they can help inhibit the fungal overgrowth within your gut that paves the way for yeast infections. (7) In fact, probiotics have been proposed as an effective, easy-to-use, and well-tolerated alternative treatment for candida infections. (8)
The anti-candida activities of probiotics such as lactobacillus (9) and acidophilus on oral candidiasis have been attributed to the facts that probiotics regulate the pH of the environment, produce hydrogen peroxide, (10) release high amounts of lactic acid, and curb the growth of infective biofilms. (11)
Research also favors using prebiotics along with probiotics as the former enhance the activity of the latter to provide greater protection against yeast infections. (12)
As mentioned above, C. albicans first attaches itself to a suitable surface and then multiplies rapidly to form a biofilm, which becomes the source of a yeast infection.
But how do these pathogens multiply? Like every other living thing on this planet, fungi are also made of cells. These cells produce macromolecules, such as proteins, important fats, and nucleic acids, within themselves to sustain the organism and allow it to reproduce. So, anything that blocks the production of these important substances will retard the growth of the organism before it can take the form of an infection. (13)
Garlic seems to do just that. Studies suggest that garlic exhibits anticandidal activity that blocks fat synthesis within yeast cells to limit their survival and/or proliferation. These antifungal effects can mostly be traced back to allicin, the chief sulfur-containing chemical in garlic. (14)
Allicin is released when you cut raw garlic but is completely inactivated or destroyed by cooking. So, garlic is best eaten raw to get the most of its medicinal properties. Yo
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