How to Break the Yeast Infection Cycle

Yeast infections are annoying, often painful and affect millions of women each year. It's stressful enough treating the occasional yeast infection with the over-the-counter crème-filled applicator or gravity-defying ovule that doesn't stay in place all night. But when yeast infections start occurring regularly, it's time to take preventive measures.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce your stress. Stress seems to be a woman's number one enemy and can take a toll on the immune system. Find the time to slow down and take some time for yourself each day. Learn to meditate or do yoga, two calming activities.

• 2

  Develop a taste for yogurt. Most yogurt is produced with a live culture that helps prevent the overgrowth of yeast. Eating plain, unflavored, unsweetened yogurt regularly will help reduce your chances of getting a yeast infection. If you don't like the taste, try mixing in some granola or fresh fruit.

• 3

  Switch to cotton panties. Yeast likes to grow in a warm, moist environment and cotton panties absorb moisture, making your environment a little drier. Also, consider putting on a fresh pair of panties in the middle of the day.

• 4

  Cut back on simple carbohydrates such as sugar and white bread. Too much sugar in your system encourages the overgrowth of yeast. Your body turns simple carbohydrates to sugar faster than any other food, so too much white bread means too much sugar and too much yeast.

• 5

  Sit in a hot bath. Make the bath water as hot as you can stand it and get in. Sit in the tub with your knees apart while the hot water destroys the yeast breeding ground. Doing this once or twice a month will reduce the chance of yeast finding a favorable environment in which to overgrow.

• 6

  Use a condom. A yeast infection can be passed between sexual partners. Using a condom will protect your partner from getting the yeast infection and then passing it back to you.