Women are usually the ones affected by recurring yeast infections. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, about 75 percent of all adult American Women had experienced the infection at least once in their lifetime. About 40 percent of women however may experience two or more instances of recurrent yeast infections.
The percentage of men affected is around 12 to 15 percent. From this statistic alone, you may be one of the many who have experienced its annoying signs and symptoms.
This post will help you prevent recurring yeast infections if not totally prevent the disease. However, to figure the prevention, one must have an idea of how the disease develops.
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What is Yeast Infection?
Yeast infection is basically the excessive growth in numbers of yeasts in a certain area of the body. A yeast called Candida Albicans is the usual suspect for causing this type of infection. One thing you need to know about Candida is that they love to grow in a dark and damp environment. They are also referred to as “opportunistic fungi” for they take any chance they can to proliferate and grow, especially when the person’s immune system is weak.
The Yeast Infection Causes
The causes of the proliferation of yeast include practices and situations that offer them an ideal environment to grow. For example, if you have diabetes mellitus, you have a weakened immune system plus a higher glucose level in the body, which is their nutrient source. These two give them the ideal setting to grow.
Other instances are poor hygiene practices and diet. For women, this can be during the menstruation period or pregnancy where the vaginal area suits the best home for them. Given these instances, it’s understood that women may have recurring infections. But don’t lose hope; there are proven ways to prevent all these from happening and you should apply them now.
The Ten Ways to Prevent Recurring Yeast Infections
1. Avoid douches and scented hygiene products
This comes first on the list because most women are unaware that these products increase the likelihood of getting yeast infections. Douching gives a damp environment for yeast to grow. Other scented hygiene products and harsh feminine wash may also affect the pH of the vaginal area, destroying the natural bacterial flora in the area. Bacteria keep in check the growth of other microorganisms, yeast being one of them.
2. Avoid tampons and use pads instead
Using pads and changing them often during the period will give you a cleaner alternative than tampons. Remember that the aim is to prevent the area from getting damp. Tampons hold the blood and other liquids inside the vagina.
3. Keep a healthy diet
A less sugar or low-carb diet will help prevent yeast infections. A healthy diet means a healthy body; thus, fewer chances of bacterial infection. You won’t need antibiotics, which decreases the likelihood of candidiasis.
4. Practice safe sex
Use condoms without spermicide and advise your partner to have treatment if a yeast infection is apparent.
5. Keep dry
Keep yourself dry and remind yourself about it. So don’t stay long on wet swimwear.
6. Think twice when using shared items
A common cause of acquiring the yeast is the careless sharing of items. These are towels, public slippers, and soap, and so on.
7. Practice smart bathing
Try to be efficient in your bathing. In addition to thoroughly drying yourself, always change to clean, dry clothes. Avoid using hot baths, Jacuzzis, or unnecessary, prolonged stay on the water.
8. Avoid wearing tight pants and use cotton underwear
These types of underwear will help you keep dry.
9. Manage stress
One thing to note is that recurrent yeast infection shows in women who often report stress. Stress can weaken the immune system.
10. Ask for your doctor’s aid
Of course, it is important to have proper diagnosis and know other underlying condition that leads to recurring yeast infections. The doctor is the best resource for this.
These are the ways to prevent the condition and as you can see, these are just yeast infection home remedies. Try them out and solve the problem once and for all.
