Ah, the familiar unwelcome itch of a yeast infection… This is something most women have experienced (suffered through). I unfortunately endure this itch bi-weekly, I wish I was exaggerating. Unfortunately, probiotic gummies and drinking a kombucha every day did not do the trick. Over the years, I slowly discovered what actually helps- here's everything I’ve learned as someone with chronic yeast infections.
Your hygiene and habits matter.
Yeast grows in warm, damp areas of your body, so it is important to keep your vagina clean and dry! I would sit around in sweaty workout clothes and wet bathing suit bottoms for hours on end, and wonder why I kept getting yeast infections. Once I changed these habits, I noticed a difference. I now try to get out of sweaty gym clothes or a swimsuit immediately. I opt for breathable cotton underwear and try to change into loose, comfy shorts after working out or swimming.
Sex is not always the cause, but can be!
I used to think that my yeast infections occurred completely isolated from my sex life, but after a two month period of no sex, and no yeast infections, I decided there may just be a correlation! Having unprotected sex without a doubt contributed to the frequency. Sex can disrupt the natural bacterial balance in the vagina, causing a yeast infection. Using a condom can help reduce the risk of developing a yeast infection from sex.
Changing your diet isn’t that effective
Changing your diet isn’t always that effective. While some women swear by cutting out sugar, upping their probiotics, or eating “clean” to prevent yeast infections, I personally didn’t notice any real difference. I tried everything from yogurt to kombucha in hopes of balancing things out, but all I got was a mild kombucha addiction and, unfortunately, still frequent yeast infections. That said, everyone’s body is different. If you suspect your diet might be a trigger, it’s definitely worth experimenting, but don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong if dietary changes don’t magically solve the problem.
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Supplements can help!
I’ll be honest, I’m all for a sugary orange gummy in the morning, but the probiotic gummies I used to take didn’t make much of a difference for me. That said, I’ve recently been trying Winx’s vaginal health probiotics, and I’ve actually noticed a difference. Everyone’s body responds differently, so it’s hard to say what will work for each person. But this has been helpful for me so far (and no, this isn’t an ad, just my experience).
Everyone’s body is different, but I hope some of what I’ve learned can help you find what works. Dealing with yeast infections isn’t fun, but with the right habits and support, it can get better.
