Almost three quarters of the entire female population of the world suffer at least once from vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime. So it is always helpful to know how this basically innocuous but surely painful and embarrassing infection can be avoided by following certain simple procedures.
You must first know that yeast multiplies rapidly under warm moist conditions where there is hardly any air flow. Though yeast is an important constituent of the ecosystem inside a human body, if it starts growing uncontrollably the delicate balance of the ecosystem is disturbed and we start suffering from the ill effects of such an imbalance. So, a general rule is to try and keep the body dry and clean a far as possible. It is needless to say vagina presents all the ingredients yeast would like to have in an environment. In fact, yeast is a natural cleanser of the vaginal canal and resides in large numbers in the canal, but once they increase beyond tolerable limits you start experiencing problems.
So, try to avoid tight pantyhose or any other tight fitting clothing and opt for cotton panties for they tend to absorb moisture and keep the area dry. Instead of full pantyhose you may try out high stockings and see whether your tastes and fashion sense permit such a change. If indeed it is not quite possible for you to shun pantyhose, get out of them as soon as possible. Make it a habit of changing underwear a couple of time in a day. If possible don’t wear panties in bed and try to get into the habit of sleeping in loose pajama bottoms. Also choose toilet paper without any designs printed on them and try to wipe from front to back to restrict any yeast residing in the intestine from entering into the vagina. I’m sure it is superfluous to say you should change your sanitary napkin and tampon as often as possible during your periods.
Also don’t wander around the swimming pool for too long a time in your wet bathing suit for yeasts prefer warm and moist areas for multiplying rapidly. Try to have a bath as quickly as possible after you come out of a swimming pool and change into something clean and dry.
There are a few more things which you should avoid if possible. Don’t use petroleum jelly to lubricate your vagina since this type of jelly encourages growth of yeast. You may try out water-based lubricants instead – they do not help in yeast growth. Ensure that your partner does not have any sort of yeast infection since in quite a few cases this infection is sexually transmitted from the partner. Last but surely not the least important instruction is never use douches since the natural mucus which protects the vagina tends to get washed away by these douches.
Diet plays an important role in controlling yeast infections in the vagina. Try to include a cup of yogurt with active cultures in your daily diet and keep a strict eye on blood sugar levels – never let it spiral out of control.
Yeast infection is really nothing so serious. If you simply follow the basic rules of hygiene you will be free from such attacks.