Vaginal Yeast Infections - Prevention

Prevention

The following actions can help prevent a vaginal yeast infection.

• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat dairy products. Some women think that eating foods with lactobacillus organisms, such as yogurt or acidophilus milk, will help prevent yeast infections. So far there is no evidence for this connection. But eating foods that contain lactobacillus can be part of a healthy diet. Be aware that taking lactobacillus supplements or inserting vaginal forms of lactobacillus have not been shown to prevent yeast infections from developing in women who have recently taken antibiotics.⁸
• Wear cotton and avoid tight-fitting clothing. Cotton underwear can prevent moisture from developing in the genital area. Clothing such as leggings, panty hose, and tight-fitting jeans increase body heat and moisture in the genital area. Wearing a wet swimsuit for many hours may also keep the genital area warm and moist. If you have had recurrent yeast infections, replace your underwear and swimwear, which can carry yeast and reinfect you.
• After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading yeast from the anus to the vagina.
• Control diabetes. Good control of blood sugar levels decreases the risk of yeast infections anywhere on your body.
• Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can change the normal balance of vaginal organisms, allowing excess growth of yeast.
• Avoid the use of feminine sprays, talcs, or perfumes in your vaginal area, which may affect the normal balance of organisms. Also, avoid scented toilet paper and deodorant tampons.
• Avoid douching. Douching can change the normal balance of vaginal organisms. Of greater concern, douching can spread an infection from the vagina into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).