Yeast Infections

Yeast Infections

It takes very little to get the normally docile Candida albicans fungus that lives in a woman's vagina to turn into a rampant troublemaker. Candida is encouraged by many things--getting pregnant, using spermicides or birth control pills or taking antibiotics. And if you nick the vaginal walls while inserting a tampon, that can also trigger this most common form of vaginitis.

Yeast infections are not dangerous, but they can be painful and embarrassing. The most common symptoms include a bothersome itch and burning that can become maddening. Often there's a white discharge that resembles cottage cheese, sometimes accompanied by a yeasty or fishy smell. Here's how to cease the yeast.

Watch your sweet tooth. Sugar can cause chronic yeast infections--which is one reason why women who binge on sweets are particularly prone. "Avoid candy, cakes and pies--anything with refined, white or powdered sugar," says Jack Galloway, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. If you must indulge your sweet tooth, use brown sugar or honey. Since these take longer to break down in your body, you'll lessen the amount of circulating blood sugars, which can trigger yeast infections.

And watch the rest of your diet. Take heed of the connection between yeast infections and yeasty foods. "Avoid things such as bread, mushrooms and alcoholic beverages," says Susan Doughty, R.N., a nurse practitioner at Women to Women, a clinic in Yarmouth, Maine. She says that patients with chronic yeast infections who avoid these foods for three to six months will often notice a significant improvement.

"C" an improvement. Eat plenty of foods that are high in vitamin C, such as potatoes, citrus fruits and broccoli, adds Dr. Galloway. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system, and "if your immunity is down, you're a prime candidate for a yeast infection."

Wear baggy clothing. Tight-fitting clothing doesn't allow for good air circulation in the vaginal area. So stay away from clingy polyester, Lycra spandex, leather and other fabrics that don't "breathe." "Yeast love it when it's moist, dark and warm," says John Willems, M.D., associate clinical professor of obstetrics/gynecology at the University of California, San Diego, and a researcher at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla.

If you must wear tight clothing or Lycra, do it for only a few hours--and then change into loose-fitting garb made from cotton and other natural fibers. Avoid panty hose when you can, because they're too restrictive in the vaginal area, suggests Dr. Willems.

Change wet clothing fast. Lounging around in a wet bathing suit? You're wearing a perfect environment for yeast growth, adds Dr. Galloway. So once you're out of the pool, change into a dry outfit.

Heal with yogurt. Most experts point to yogurt as the natural healer of yeast infections (though it shouldn't be used for other types of vaginitis). Yogurt's lactobacillus cultures fight the candida, says Eileen Hilton, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, who has studied yogurt's effect on yeast infections. While some experts recommend inserting yogurt into the vaginal area, an easier way is to simply eat at least 1/2 cup of yogurt containing live cultures each day to prevent and treat infections. (Nearly all yogurt does contain live cultures).

"If you don't like the taste of yogurt, you can get a dose of the same helpful bacteria by drinking milk containing live lactobacillus," suggests Ellen Yankauskas, M.D., director of the Women's Center for Family Health in Atascadero, California. (This type of milk will be identified on the container as cultured milk, acidophilus milk or kefir milk.)

Sit in a sitz. Frequent douching should be avoided, since it can be too irritating to those with yeast infections. But there's an easy cleansing solution for your vaginal area. Fill the bathtub to hip height with warm water, then add 1/2 cup of salt (enough to make the water taste salty) and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Stay in this sitz for about 20 minutes.

Go for a nonprescription medication. "The best way to treat this infection is with an over-the-counter antiyeast vaginal cream," according to Dr. Yankauskas. The creams are available in most pharmacies. Just follow the directions on the package.

Give applicators a hot scrub. If you use an antiyeast cream, you're probably reusing the applicator. "Wash the reusable applicators in hot soapy water," says Dr. Galloway,

Try no-frills toiletries. Avoid bubble baths, scented tampons, colored toilet paper and other products with dyes, perfumes and other chemicals that can irritate vaginal tissue, says Dr. Willems. White toilet paper is your best bet.