You know how to spot yeast infection symptoms if you've ever had one: itching, burning, and clumpy, white, cottage-cheese looking gunk in your underwear. Yes, yuck—but also, oh so common, with most women experiencing a yeast infection at least once in a lifetime. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a certain type of fungus, resulting in an imbalance of bacteria in your vagina.
If you've been getting recurrent yeast infections, they may be more than just a fluke. The good news is that if you can identify what's triggering them, you might be able to stop the agony before it starts again. Here are six risk factors you should know about—and how to avoid them in the future.
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Not changing your tampon often enough
"Yeast breeds in high-moisture environments, and pads and tampons can keep excess moisture around, allowing yeast to grow," says gynaecologist Dr Taraneh Shirazian. Her simple solution: Change pads/tampons often, at least once every four hours, especially as the weather becomes warmer.
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Taking antibiotics
If you take an antibiotic for strep throat, a UTI, or any other ailment, it can throw your entire personal ecosystem out of whack, says Dr Kathryn A. Boling, a family medicine specialist. "Antibiotics can kill off the healthy bacteria in the vagina, allowing yeast to overgrow." To bolster good bacteria and reduce the chances of infection, Boling recommends taking a probiotic supplement along with your antibiotic. "Probiotics with lactobacillus are the best to take because that's the dominant bacteria found in the vagina of healthy women," she explains. Prefer to get these good bugs from food instead of pills? Yogurt works, as long as you choose one that contains "live active cultures."
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Having high blood sugar
Got diabetes or prediabetes? Watch out. Yeast gets energy from sugar, and infections thrive in moist areas of the body, including the vagina. If you think your blood sugar might be out of control, be sure to talk to your doctor. Switching to a low-sugar diet might help.
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Getting frisky with an infected partner
Yes, yeast infections can be contagious! "You can catch a yeast infection from a partner who has thrush [oral yeast] or a yeast infection of the penis," though that's more common among men who have a foreskin, says Boling. Having a lot of sex - even with a guy who's infection-free - may also lead to trouble by changing the pH of the vagina and allowing the yeast to overtake the good bacteria. Urinating right after sex may help.
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Wearing snug undies
"Tight underwear made from a synthetic fabric that doesn't let the southern area 'breathe' encourages yeast overgrowth by creating a warm, moist environment," says Shirazian. She also says it's a good idea to go commando while you sleep at least once or twice a week, because it allows the vagina to naturally air itself out. You could also look into exercise underwear, which is typically made of sweat-wicking, breathable fabrics.
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Using scented feminine hygiene products
You want to smell like a pineapple infused with tropical flowers down there, right? Not so fast. Scented sprays, wipes, washes, and even fragrant bubble bath may cause the acidity level in the vagina to drop, resulting in a yeast infection, says Shirazian. Stick with gentle bar soap instead. And don't even think about douching.
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