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Three Methods:Wear the Right ClothingPractice Good HygieneMake Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Yeast infections, which cause uncomfortable itching and burning in the vaginal area, are a common ailment among women. While it may be unavoidable to get one or two - 75 percent of women have at least one during their lifetime[1] - there are measures you can take to prevent them from occurring often. Learn how to prevent yeast infections by wearing the right clothing, practicing good hygiene, and making diet and lifestyle changes.

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Method 1 of 3: Wear the Right Clothing

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    Wear loose-fitting clothing.[2] Yeast infections occur when the right environment for bacterial growth is created. Tight clothes promote warm, moist conditions, which encourages growth, while looser clothes allow for air circulation and keep your skin dry. Avoid wearing the following items for more than a few hours at a time:
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  2. Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 2.jpg
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    Wear underwear made from a breathable fabric. Nylon or spandex underwear traps moisture against your skin, and wearing this type of underwear on a daily basis will eventually give you a yeast infection.[3] Keep the following in mind when you go underwear shopping:
    • Underwear made with cotton and other breathable fabrics can help keep your skin dry and prevent the growth of bacteria.
    • Save thongs and and lingerie for special occasions, instead of wearing them every day. Lingerie tends to be tight, creating the right environment for bacterial growth.

Method 2 of 3: Practice Good Hygiene

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    Keep the vaginal area dry. Making sure you stay dry is one of the most important things you can do to prevent yeast infections.[4] Take the following measure to avoid creating a good environment for bacterial growth:
    • Dry yourself well after taking a bath or a shower.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 3Bullet1.jpg
    • Don't wear a wet swimsuit. Change into something dry as soon as you get out of the pool.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 3Bullet2.jpg
    • Change workout gear as soon as you're finished working out, since your sweat may take awhile to dry.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 3Bullet3.jpg
    • If you wear pads or pantyliners, change them often to keep the area dry and clean.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 3Bullet4.jpg
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    Clean from front to back.[5] After urinating or having a bowel movement its important to clean yourself correctly so you don't spread bacteria. Wiping from your front to your behind, rather than the other way around, will go a long way toward preventing a yeast infection.
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    Avoid douches and feminine sprays. These contain chemicals that throw off the balance of bacteria in the area, leading to an increased chance of yeast infections.[6]
    • Powders, scented tampons and pads, and scented toilet paper should also be avoided.
    • Using strong scented soaps and scrubs can also lead to yeast infections.

Method 3 of 3: Make Diet and Lifestyle Changes

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    Keep your immune system strong. The most common cause of yeast infections is a compromised immune system, since a strong immune system is needed to keep bacterial growth at pay. Help your body fight off infection by focusing on staying healthy.
    • Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, lean meats, and healthy fats to make sure your body has the nutrients it needs to prevent infection from occurring.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 6Bullet1.jpg
    • Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water and herbal tea, and by eating watery fruits and vegetables, like red bell peppers, cucumbers and watermelon.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 6Bullet2.jpg
    • Exercise four or five times a week, combining cardio with strength training, so your body stays fit and strong.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 6Bullet3.jpg
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    Reduce your stress. High stress levels do more than make you feel anxious; they can have a big physical effect, too. You might notice signs of a yeast infection when you're going through a stressful situation.[7] Here's how to stop it before it becomes a full-blown infection:
    • Remember to take care of yourself when you're stressed. Make the time to eat well, exercise, and stay hydrated. Your health is more important than a deadline.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 7Bullet1.jpg
    • Get plenty of sleep. Don't stay up all night writing a paper - your body will suffer for it if you aren't careful. Get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night.
      Prevent a Yeast Infection Step 7Bullet2.jpg
    • Not all stressful situations can be alleviated, but if you can manage to make your life less stressful, your chance of infection will drastically decrease. Try to organize your schedule to make it less hectic, delegate chores to family members, and learn to say "no" when you've already got your hands full.
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    Eat yogurt and other cultured dairy products. When your body doesn't have enough "good" bacteria to ward off "bad" bacteria, yeast infections can occur. Yogurt contains lactobacillus acidophilus, bacteria that can help restore your body's bacteria balance.[8]
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    Avoid antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria that cause infections, but they also reduce the population of that "friendly" bacteria you need to prevent yeast infections.[9] Don't take antibiotics unless you absolutely have to. When you do take antibiotics, eat yogurt and limit outside stress so your immune system doesn't get compromised.
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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://women.webmd.com/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections
  2. ↑ http://women.webmd.com/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections
  3. ↑ http://women.webmd.com/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections,
  4. ↑ http://women.webmd.com/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections
  5. ↑ http://women.webmd.com/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections
  6. ↑ http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/vaginal-yeast-infections.cfm
  7. ↑ http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/vaginal-yeast-infections.cfm
  8. ↑ http://women.webmd.com/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections
  9. ↑ http://women.webmd.com/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections

Article Info

Categories: Fungal Diseases

In other languages:

Español: Cómo prevenir una infección por candida (hongos levaduriformes), Português: Como Evitar Infecções Fúngicas, Deutsch: Pilzinfektionen verhindern, Italiano: Come Prevenire l'Infezione da Candida, Français: Comment éviter d'avoir une mycose vaginale, Русский: предотвратить молочницу

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