Three out of four women will experience at least one yeast infection during her life, many experience recurrent infections.Yeast infections are a common female nuisance that can be embarrassing to deal with. Unfortunately, most women who get yeast infections tend to have them again. On the other hand, there are several things you can do to prevent yeast infections from recurring.Preventing yeast infections is obviously more desirable than treating them. Wearing loose clothing, cotton underwear (or at least underwear with a cotton crotch panel), removing damp clothing soon after swimming or working out, and carefully drying the vulvar area after bathing will all help prevent yeast infections. Some advocate using a blow dryer on warm to briefly blow dry the vulva after bathing to insure adequate drying. Others suggest using vaginal or oral yogurt, which is a controversial method of preventing yeast infections. However, there are articles in the medical literature that support eating 8 ounces a day of yogurt containing lactobacillus acidophilus, which may reduce the yeast infection recurrence rate by threefold. IF you choose to do this, however, please make sure the yogurt you buy specifically contains lactobacillus acidophilus, as many do not. Some also advocate taking anti-fungal medications intravaginally or orally at specific intervals to prevent overgrowth of yeast. In some diabetic patients this is very helpful. Yeast infections are common and sometimes difficult to treat, but with the appropriate evaluation and treatment they can be effectively treated. Any symptomatic vaginal discharge should be evaluated to ensure proper treatment.Always call a healthcare professional for diagnosis if you are not sure a subsequent infection is yeast.
Tags: how to prevent yeast infections, Yeast Infection Causes and Treatment, Yeast Infection Symptoms
