Preventing Yeast Infections

These tips for preventing yeast infections focus on lifestyle and diet changes that are easy to implement.  Uncomfortable and unpleasant, yeast infections are a pain-literally and figuratively. Take the following measures to prevent the recurrence of yeast infections:

Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing
The most effective way to avoid yeast infections is to change what you wear. Yeast thrives in moist, dark, warm environments, so you want to keep your crotch dry and cool. Take off that wet bathing suit right away, wear underpants with cotton crotches, throw out those tights or nylons and invest in a pair of loose, cotton pajama bottoms.

Go Commando Once in a While
If you can handle it, sleep without undies whenever you can.

Change Up Your Birth Control Method
Try condoms, the rhythm method, an IUD or the female condom. Oral contraceptives, hormone shots or rings, sponges and diaphragms are all connected with higher incidences of yeast infections.

Don't Take Unnecessary Antibiotics
Think twice if your doctor offers you an antibiotic for your skin or that cough. Only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary; they are common causes of yeast infections.

Skip Bubble Baths
While hot tubs, bubble baths and times in the sauna don't directly cause yeast infections, they do set up ripe environments for yeast infections. If you're trying to break the cycle of recurring yeast infections, you'll want to forgo these pleasures for a while.

Eat Garlic
Raw garlic has anti-fungal properties that are believed to prevent and treat yeast infections. If you can't stomach raw garlic, try taking garlic capsules. You can find these in the health foods store. Many companies have de-odorized these capsules, making them much more palatable than the supplements available in the past.