Filed Under (Womens Issues) by Rebecca Wincup on November-24-2008

By following and sticking to a few good tips to prevent yeast infection, you can make life a little easier and more comfortable if you’re prone to developing yeast infections. Simple and straightforward, using these tips regularly can dramatically reduce your chances of developing a yeast infection and avoiding the potentially uncomfortably symptoms of this condition.

A yeast infection is caused by the overgrowth of the Candida Albicans fungus. It is not practical to completely avoid this fungus as it generally occurs in the body. However, prevention is more about managing it’s growth. Like all fungi, it grows best in a warm, most environment. It is that type of environment on the body that you should guard against coming into contact with Candida.

There are some things that you should avoid so that a yeast infection does not occur. Avoid wearing wet clothing, such as bathing suits, for extended periods of time. Don’t wear tight pants, leotards or spandex. Clothing that fits tightly can trap moisture while cutting off air circulation, creating a perfect environment for the growth of yeast. Also, tight clothing may make you uncomfortable and cause you to pull and scratch at the area, thereby causing more problems.

One of the simplest tips to prevent yeast infection is to not use nylon underwear. Cotton is a better choice of material for underwear because it is a natural material that allows air to circulate and also helps wick away moisture. In addition, you should not wear pantyhose. If wearing pantyhose is a necessity, be sure to wear cotton panties underneath.

It is important to keep the genital area clean and dry. Drying the vaginal area after bathing will help to discourage the growth of the Candida fungus. Also, using anything in the genital area that contains perfumes or dyes (such as deodorant sanitary pads or tampons, feminine sprays, colored toilet paper) may cause or aggravate yeast infections. Therefore, it would be wise to avoid these products whenever possible.

Use of antibiotics frequently triggers yeast infections. Try to avoid using antibiotics unless absolutely necessary; perhaps embarking on a healthier lifestyle would enable you to eliminate their use. Your doctor can advise you about healthy eating and exercising. Eating yogurt once a day is a great tip to prevent yeast infection that can be helpful in restoring and maintaining the balance of bacteria in your body. Be sure to select a yogurt with active cultures.

A last tip that will hold you in good stead is to be more discerning about the food you eat. Basically, foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars will encourage yeast to grow in the body and could lead to an infection. So reduce your intake of sugar foods like cakes and soft drinks. Try to eat more fresh food, especially fresh vegetables and fruits in place of high carbohydrate foods. In this regard, you should also think about eating fresh fruits and vegetables at different times to cooked food. If you eat cooked food at the same time as you eat fresh food, the food can ferment inside your stomach. The fermented food will cause excess bacteria to grow along with the fungus you already have.

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