The best tips for preventing yeast infections include always urinating after sexual intercourse, always wiping from front to back after using the bathroom, and wearing cotton underwear that is not too tight-fitting. In addition, it is important to avoid using perfumed products such as powders, cleansers, or douches in the vaginal area. Preventing yeast infections is often possible by including probiotics such as acidophilus in the diet, either by taking a daily supplement, or by eating yogurt regularly.
Some women are simply more prone to yeast infections than others; they can be treated with a prescription from a doctor or with an over the counter treatment from a drugstore. It is best, however, to take some steps towards preventing yeast infections in the first place. Many women do not realize that certain behaviors make them more prone to yeast infections, such as using cleansers too frequently in the vaginal area.
It is not necessary to use douches or any sort of deodorant products, which upset the natural bacterial balance, and may easily lead to yeast infections. Bubble baths, while relaxing, can also sometimes cause yeast infections if one does not rinse off properly afterward. In addition, one of the most important tips for preventing yeast infections is to always wipe from front to back after using the restroom, to avoid introducing E. coli bacteria into the vagina. Urinating after sexual intercourse can help prevent not just yeast infections, but urinary tract infections as well.
Wearing the proper underwear can help with preventing yeast infections as well. Cotton underwear is the best choice; it is also a good idea to avoid wearing thongs as much as possible, and avoid tight-fitting clothing. Finally, making some dietary changes can help prevent yeast infections. It may be necessary to eat less of certain foods that contain high levels of yeast; bread products, for example, contain yeast, as do beer, sugary foods, and other fermented foods.
Probiotics can help to promote the growth of healthy bacteria and to prevent yeast infections. These may be taken daily in a supplement capsule form, or yogurt also contains these helpful bacteria. It is important to take these supplements when taking antibiotics as well, which tend to cause yeast infections. If one makes all these lifestyle changes and finds that yeast infections are still occurring, it may be necessary to visit a doctor for further tests. Sometimes, people with reduced immune systems find that it becomes easier to get yeast infections, and a medical cause may be the culprit.
