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Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections
While vaginal yeast infections are rarely serious, you can help prevent them from occurring in the first place. By Joseph Bennington-CastroMedically Reviewed by Jennifer Payne, MDReviewed: September 27, 2022Medically ReviewedEating a healthy diet, rich in fresh vegetables, can help ward off yeast infections.Getty Images Vaginal yeast infections are most often caused by the yeast species Candida albicans and can include a number of symptoms, such as itching in the vaginal area and around the vulva (the opening of the vagina), burning sensations in the genitals, and a cottage-cheese-like discharge.
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Joseph Kim 1 minutes ago
Though yeast infection symptoms can be annoying, the infection, known medically as vulvovaginal can...
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Oliver Taylor 2 minutes ago
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What Causes Recurrent Yeast Infections
While it’s not entirely clear what causes some women ...
Though yeast infection symptoms can be annoying, the infection, known medically as vulvovaginal candidiasis, is rarely dangerous. Still, you can take steps to prevent yeast infections:Practice good hygieneWear the right clothesAvoid scented sprays and bath productsDon’t doucheAvoid certain medications (when possible)Maintain proper diet, sleep, and exerciseKeep the vagina clean and dry (1)
These preventative measures are all the more important if you experience four or more yeast infections each year, a condition known as recurrent or chronic yeast infections.
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Luna Park Member
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What Causes Recurrent Yeast Infections
While it’s not entirely clear what causes some women to get recurring yeast infections, there are a number of risk factors that can predispose you to it. These risk factors for developing yeast factors include:Things that alter your normal hormone balance, including pregnancy, birth control pills, and estrogen therapyFrequent antibiotic use, which kills the beneficial bacteria that normally keep Candida’s population under controlUncontrolled diabetes mellitus, which can cause a spike in sugar in the membrane of the vagina (sugar encourages the growth of yeast)Conditions that affect your immune system, particularly HIVObesity, which provides more areas of moisture and warmth (such as skin folds) in which Candida can growClothing that is tight-fitting and synthetic, keeping the vaginal area moist and warmHaving an anatomy with short distance between the vagina and anus, where microorganisms frequently live (3,4,5)
One study found that a localized immune defect in the vagina might be behind many women’s recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. In some cases, this may be the result of an allergic reaction to Candida after the initial yeast infection.
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Noah Davis 7 minutes ago
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Recurring yeast infections may also be the result of an intestinal or vaginal reservoir of Candi...
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Ava White Moderator
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Recurring yeast infections may also be the result of an intestinal or vaginal reservoir of Candida. About 20 percent of women (and 30 percent of pregnant women) are colonized by Candida — this colonization doesn’t cause symptoms until the balance of microbial communities is altered by antibiotic use, hormonal changes, and other factors.
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Liam Wilson Member
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Sex can also be a risk factor for chronic yeast infections due to spermicidal condoms (which cause vaginal irritation that makes the vagina more prone to infections), C. albicans in the mouth (passed on via oral sex), and glycerin-based lubricants.
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Sofia Garcia Member
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How Clothing Can Affect Yeast Infections
Cotton and silk underwear absorb moisture, keeping you dry. On the other hand, nylon and other synthetic fabrics hold moisture close to your skin, encouraging the growth of yeast.
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Audrey Mueller 21 minutes ago
Synthetic underwear may also cause allergy and hypersensitivity reactions that can alter the vaginal...
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Sofia Garcia 21 minutes ago
Always change into dry clothes as soon as possible. Pantyhose, tights, and leggings can cause heat a...
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Sophia Chen Member
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Synthetic underwear may also cause allergy and hypersensitivity reactions that can alter the vaginal environment and contribute to yeast infections. What’s more, sitting around in sweaty gym clothes or a wet bathing suit provides an environment in which yeast can thrive.
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Madison Singh 19 minutes ago
Always change into dry clothes as soon as possible. Pantyhose, tights, and leggings can cause heat a...
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Daniel Kumar 20 minutes ago
Avoid snug-fitting pajamas — a loose, flowing nightgown is preferable. And going without underwear...
Always change into dry clothes as soon as possible. Pantyhose, tights, and leggings can cause heat and moisture to build up in the crotch area. If you do wear pantyhose, be sure to wear cotton panties underneath, and choose pantyhose with a cotton crotch.
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Henry Schmidt 1 minutes ago
Avoid snug-fitting pajamas — a loose, flowing nightgown is preferable. And going without underwear...
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Victoria Lopez 11 minutes ago
When bathing, be sure to clean the inside folds of the vagina where yeast is likely to grow. Because...
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Aria Nguyen Member
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Avoid snug-fitting pajamas — a loose, flowing nightgown is preferable. And going without underwear while you sleep will help keep your genital area dry and discourage yeast growth. Keeping the vagina clean will not only keep you smelling fresh, it can also help prevent yeast infections.
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Brandon Kumar 4 minutes ago
When bathing, be sure to clean the inside folds of the vagina where yeast is likely to grow. Because...
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Sophie Martin 11 minutes ago
Also, avoid scented sanitary pads and tampons and colored or printed toilet paper — dyes can also ...
When bathing, be sure to clean the inside folds of the vagina where yeast is likely to grow. Because yeast thrives in moist environments, it’s important to dry the entire vaginal area after taking a shower or bath. (8)
Certain Products Antibiotics and Conditions Are Linked to Yeast Infections
Perfumes can be irritating to the sensitive area inside the vagina, and that can increase your risk of getting a yeast infection.
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Henry Schmidt 9 minutes ago
Also, avoid scented sanitary pads and tampons and colored or printed toilet paper — dyes can also ...
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Lucas Martinez Moderator
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Also, avoid scented sanitary pads and tampons and colored or printed toilet paper — dyes can also be irritating. Douching destroys not only harmful bacteria but also the helpful bacteria that keep yeast under control.
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Brandon Kumar Member
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Douche products also wash away the natural protective lining of the vagina, leaving you more susceptible to yeast and other vaginal infections, while also introducing substances that may cause allergic reactions and alter the pH balance (acidity) of the vagina. Antibiotic use has been linked to the onset of yeast infections because these drugs can kill beneficial bacteria in the body, making it easier for Candida yeast to proliferate.
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Lucas Martinez 23 minutes ago
Take antibiotics only as directed and avoid unnecessary antibiotic use. Finally, a healthy immune sy...
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Kevin Wang 11 minutes ago
Try keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding exercise, caffeine, and heavy meals within three h...
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Lucas Martinez Moderator
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Take antibiotics only as directed and avoid unnecessary antibiotic use. Finally, a healthy immune system helps keep yeast under control.
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Henry Schmidt 12 minutes ago
Try keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding exercise, caffeine, and heavy meals within three h...
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Ryan Garcia 31 minutes ago
Additionally, if you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your blood sugar levels under control t...
Try keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding exercise, caffeine, and heavy meals within three hours of bedtime. Consider stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and regular exercise, to keep down high levels of stress, which can compromise your immune system. Immune-depressing diseases like diabetes and HIV can also increase the risk of yeast infections.
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Oliver Taylor 32 minutes ago
Additionally, if you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your blood sugar levels under control t...
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James Smith Moderator
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Wednesday, 07 May 2025
Additionally, if you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your blood sugar levels under control to prevent yeast infections. Sugar is a prime food source for yeast. (1,8)
Changing Your Diet May Help Prevent Yeast Infections
There’s some evidence that sugar may help promote the growth of yeast.
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Jack Thompson 5 minutes ago
Yeast’s affinity for sweets has prompted some experts to suggest that diet may be a risk factor fo...
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Lily Watson 13 minutes ago
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While anecdotal evidence abounds, the candida diet is not (yet) supported by rigorous scient...
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Sofia Garcia Member
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Yeast’s affinity for sweets has prompted some experts to suggest that diet may be a risk factor for some women when it comes to developing yeast infections. In fact, some people follow a so-called yeast infection diet, or candida diet, on the theory that eliminating certain foods may eliminate or at least greatly reduce the risk of yeast overgrowth. Proponents of these regimens claim that a yeast infection diet can help to cure or prevent yeast infections by eliminating:Foods containing simple sugars, including many fruitsWhite flour and other glutenous grainsAnything fermented with yeast, such as alcoholic drinksSome dairy products, including whole milk
The diet recommends sticking to foods like green vegetables, protein (from wild-caught fish, eggs, beans, grass-fed beef, and chicken), nuts, and herbal tea.
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Isabella Johnson 68 minutes ago
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While anecdotal evidence abounds, the candida diet is not (yet) supported by rigorous scient...
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Harper Kim Member
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While anecdotal evidence abounds, the candida diet is not (yet) supported by rigorous scientific research. Probiotics Are Likely Helpful in Fighting Yeast Infections
The candida diet also recommends ingesting probiotics or yogurt containing live cultures of the popular “friendly” bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus. Probiotics are also a popular choice for curing or preventing yeast infections with natural products or home remedies (as opposed to conventional means).
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Mason Rodriguez 40 minutes ago
The idea is that, normally, certain bacteria live in the digestive tract, on the skin, and elsewhere...
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Liam Wilson Member
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The idea is that, normally, certain bacteria live in the digestive tract, on the skin, and elsewhere on the body where they help with digestion and other bodily functions. Therefore, probiotics can help restore the body’s normal bacterial balance, preventing Candida yeast from growing out of control and causing an infection.
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Mia Anderson Member
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While trying probiotics poses little harm, strong scientific evidence supporting the use of probiotics for yeast infections is lacking. A 2017 review found mostly low-quality evidence showing that probiotics can help with yeast infections. (12)
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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, et al. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Epidemiology, Microbiology and Risk Factors.
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Julia Zhang Member
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63 minutes ago
Wednesday, 07 May 2025
Critical Reviews in Microbiology. November 2016.Patient Education: Vaginal Yeast Infection (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.
June 15, 2006.Sobel J. Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gyneco...
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Nathan Chen 82 minutes ago
January 2016.Ringdahl E. Treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. American Family Physician....
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Grace Liu Member
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Wednesday, 07 May 2025
June 15, 2006.Sobel J. Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Ava White Moderator
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January 2016.Ringdahl E. Treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. American Family Physician.
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Kevin Wang 31 minutes ago
June 1, 2000.Weissenbacher TM, Witkin SS, Gingelmaier A, et al. Relationship Between Recurrent Vulvo...
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Henry Schmidt Member
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Wednesday, 07 May 2025
June 1, 2000.Weissenbacher TM, Witkin SS, Gingelmaier A, et al. Relationship Between Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidosis and Immune Mediators in Vaginal Fluid. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.
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Natalie Lopez 7 minutes ago
May 2009.Aguin TJ, Sobel JD. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Pregnancy....
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Evelyn Zhang 55 minutes ago
Current Infectious Disease Reports. April 28, 2015.Yeast Infection (Vaginal). Mayo Clinic....
Probiotics for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Non-Pregnant Women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
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