Yeast infection? Yikes! Here's 6 ways to stay in the clear

Not exactly the most appetising or delicate of conversational topics, but like most taboo subjects of the female anatomy, this one’s far too common not to be talked about. Most of the time, there’s no issues at all, the environment of a vagina is far too acidic for yeast to multiply. Having said that, it’s surprising how little it takes to completely alter a vagina’s pH level and give yeast the green light to take off. Once you get one, you’re more likely to get others too, though doctors aren’t quite sure why.

Often, the cause of a yeast infection is a simple one that’s easily avoided. Here’s how to stay in the clear:

Don’t stay in wet or sweaty clothing for too long

Yeast loves moist, damp and humid conditions, so the longer you wait to change out of damp clothing, the riskier things become. Choosing moisture-wicking fabrics for workout clothes is the best option, as it will keep things fresh and dry. Don’t fret if you don’t have the right gear though, just make sure if the clothing near your crotch area become damp, change them as soon as possible.

Get rid of tight skinny jeans

This is about to get somewhat personal, because I see no good reason for wearing tight-as-heck skinny jeans in this day and age. There are so many other more flattering and stylish trouser options to consider, it just baffles me every time I see a muffin top squeezed into a denim size that clearly wasn’t designed for it’s occupier. It’s uncomfortable, and looks uncomfortable, as well as hugging questionable places far too tightly, generally giving off the wrong impression. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing bad in snug-fitting attire, what I’m referring too is the insanely skinny, skinny jeans that barely allow you to eat and breathe.

Not only is it ridiculous, but it’s also a health hazard. This is because any clothing that’s pressed up against your crotch creates a dark and damp haven for yeast to thrive. Your clothes should be breathable, so that any sweat you get can evaporate quickly. Anything tight creates that situation where things can’t get aired out, and that’s the last thing you want for your crotch.

Take care with unprotected sex

Even though a yeast infection is not officially an STD, it is possible for it to be transferred between partners. This risk goes up every time you have a brand-new partner as everyone has different flora. Usually, when women keep turning up at the doctors with the same recurrent yeast infections, they’ll ask to see the partner for tests and treatment to see if it helps. Statistically speaking, men who are uncircumcised will have a slightly higher chance of passing on yeast infections than men who aren’t. This is because the foreskin creates a dark, damp area where yeast is able to thrive.

Get as much quality sleep as possible

Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis is enough to compromise the immune system to a point where it’s no longer equipped to fight off even the smallest of infections. This of course, includes yeast infections. In fact, any habit that keeps you from maintaining good health—staying stressed, not exercising, eating poorly—can wreak havoc on your body’s defences and cause imbalances which result in all sorts of infections.

Avoid a sugar-dominant diet

A really unfortunate side effect of diabetes is recurrent yeast infections. Though you don’t need to suffer from diabetes to produce the same effects. Simply maintaining a sugar-rich diet can be enough to completely throw off the vitally important pH balance of your vagina, which will allow yeast to thrive. In some cases, recurrent infections are a good tell-tale sign that diabetes is on the horizon, says Michael Cackovic, MD, an ob-gyn at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center.

Stretching tampon times, or not changing pads often enough is a big no-no

A big problem with not being on top of changing your menstruation devices is the fact that the longer it sits, the more infested it becomes. Anything you put in or around your vagina can upset the bacteria and pH balance, so you definitely don’t want to be stretching it’s time for convenience or pennies sake. Sometimes, we do forget, and the occasional mistake usually won’t result in a direct disaster, but if you’re careless with it often enough, your chances of breeding an infection increase dramatically.