How to Prevent Reproductive Tract Infections

Knowing what causes reproductive tract infections is critical to preventing them and preserving your reproductive health. Sexually transmitted infections, overgrowth of bacteria, and infections introduced by medical procedures are the three causes of reproductive tract infections in women. Since reproductive tract infections can cause sterility, damage to developing fetuses, pain and even death in severe cases, it's important to treat them effectively and promptly. Preventing them in the first place is even better. Here's how to prevent reproductive tract infections in women.

Instructions

Preventing Reproductive Tract Infections in Women

• 1

  Encourage a healthy reproductive tract by eating well and avoiding excessive sugar, which can contribute to bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis (yeast overgrowth) in your body. Use antibiotics only when absolutely necessary and eat yogurt and garlic to encourage healthy bacteria and discourage opportunistic bacteria form growing in the vaginal tract. Eat uncooked fermented vegetables and homemade sauerkraut to improve the quality and quantity of good bacteria in your body.

• 2

  Avoid unnecessary medical procedures or surgeries, including induced menstrual regulation, IUD insertions and induced abortion, which can introduce an infection into the uterus or vagina. These iatrogenic infections are caused by medical intervention that either disturbs bacteria already present, moving it further up the reproductive tract, or brings in harmful outside bacteria.

• 3

  Have intercourse only with your spouse and avoid sexually transmitted diseases and infections by remaining sexually faithful to your one partner for life. Many, if not most, serious reproductive tract infections in women are sexually transmitted. Knowing this is critical to staying healthy.

• 4

  Schedule regular gynecological exams to test for reproductive tract infections. Have them treated as promptly as possible and prevent them from worsening.