Vaginal candidiasis

November 2005     View PDF     En español

Preventing vaginal candidiasis

There are many practical ways to try to prevent vaginal candidiasis (see below). For women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis, a single dose of fluconazole weekly is sometimes used to prevent the infection. Caution is recommended when considering this approach since extended use of fluconazole can result in candidiasis that becomes resistant to treatment.

Gentian violet has been used to treat and prevent fungal infections for years. It is available without a prescription, but your doctor may have special instructions for preventing vaginal candidiasis. As a prevention strategy, it is applied onto the affected areas with a cotton swab once a week for four weeks, or as instructed by your doctor.

Practical prevention tips

• Avoid douching. Douching changes the normal acid level of the vagina and causes inflammation, both of which may increase the risk of infection.
• Try not to use scented laundry soap, bleach or fabric softeners. Chemicals in scented laundry soap can cause yeast infections. Bleach in your clothes may harm the friendly bacteria that stop Candida from taking over. Also, fabric softeners stop moisture from escaping, keeping the skin damp and more likely for yeast to grow.
• Avoid tight clothes which block air flow.
• Wear cotton underwear as it lets air in and moisture out.
• Avoid washing the vaginal area with deodorant, scented soaps or bubble baths.
• Try a non-soap cleanser that is less likely to irritate the vaginal area if yeast infections are a problem for you.