subject: Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections Is Better Than Treating One [print this page] One of the worst experiences is having a burning and itching sensation below the belt that just will not stop. The likely cause is a yeast infection. But you can save yourself the misery by preventing vaginal yeast infections before they start. Just instituting these simple suggestions into your daily routine can help.
A fungus, known as Candida, is actually yeast. This substance that is used to make beer and bread, is also present regularly on your skin. It is more prevalent in moist areas like your mouth and vagina. It is when the amounts increase beyond a normal level that an infection begins.
If you have burning and pain during urination or sexual intercourse, odd odor, cottage cheese-like discharge, or constant itching in your nether regions, a yeast infection is the likely culprit. To know for sure, you will want to see a doctor, as these symptoms can also occur for other types of infections. The doctor will take a swab of your vagina to determine the type of bacteria causing your discomfort, however it is better if you can avoid having a yeast infection to begin with.
Look at some of your hygiene practices. If you are using spermicidal lubricants during sexual intercourse or douching after wards, you may increase your risk of yeast infection. Also look in your medicine cabinet. Taking antibiotics for other infections in your body can actually bring about a yeast infection. All of the above can wipe out the good bacteria in your body that normally keeps the proper balance in your vagina between the good and the bad.
Wearing cotton underwear can also help keep down the moisture that increases yeast production and thus an infection. Other fabrics used in underwear do not allow enough air flow to keep you dry. Instead they may trap moisture. Also, when you get out of the bath or shower, towel dry private areas as well as possible.
When you do clean and dry your sensitive places, don't use a douche. Also, avoid perfumes and powders. It is alright to spray them on other parts of your body, but not down there. Douching may make you smell better and feel cleaner temporarily, but soon after you will be itchy and uncomfortable. Douches clean out all the good bacteria with the bad, creating an imbalance that favors yeast production. Perfume sprays and powders can also cause skin irritations that once scratched allows bad bacteria to be introduced.
When going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back, so that any bacteria will not be wiped into your vagina. During sexual intercourse, using water based lubricants rather than spermicides and other products, that just like a douche, will destroy the good bacteria, allowing yeast to prevail.
Your diet can also be used to prevent yeast infections. Eating yogurt with live cultures and high in probiotics introduces good bacteria into your body to help maintain the proper balance to fight off infection. If you often contract yeast infections, avoiding sugar, and foods high in sugar, can help keep infections at bay.
Avoid the aggravation of a trip to the doctor, or the itching and burning prior to treatment. Take just a few of these simple steps and be yeast infection free.
