I had a request to talk about reoccurring yeast infections, and while they’re not the same thing I’m going to talk about reoccurring UTI’s as well today since that’s what I have experience with.

I’m going to start by letting you know that I actually have never had a yeast infection, but boy do I have experience with UTI’s.

I got a few UTI’s as a young kid. I just remember drinking a lot of cranberry juice, going to the doctor for antibiotics, and one procedure where they had to go in a take a look.

Then when I became sexually active they came back with a vengeance. I started getting them pretty regularly, and there was a two year period where I almost always had a UTI. Either I was getting one, had one or on antibiotics to get rid of one.

I tried every remedy under the sun and read through every forum I could find to try to prevent them. But the only thing that made them go away was antibiotics.

Antibiotics are known to make your hormonal birth control less effective. We have a family friend who got pregnant because of antibiotics canceling out her birth control. So, that’s no bueno.

The solution I discovered (for me)…quitting hormonal birth control.

Yup, that’s right. I have not had a single UTI since quitting the pill.

Here’s a video I made where I shared my thoughts on hormonal birth control and UTI’s.

Now, I wonder if hormonal birth control can lead to yeast infections in a similar way.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Hormonal birth control disrupts the natural balance of hormones in your body, and if I can share anything with you it is this: hormones control everything in your body, and you need to be careful messing with them.

By disrupting our hormonal balance this can lead to yeast overgrowth. Overgrowth happens when Candida (a form of yeast) attaches to estrogen, which prevents our bodies from using it, driving the levels down.

Basically, the type of birth control you’re on can work to create the necessary environment where yeast infections happen.

Now, for some lists of do’s and don’ts! (But to be honest, I read through plenty of these when I had UTI’s and nothing really did it for me until I quit the Pill…but what’s the harm of sharing what’s out there?).

Things that can lead to yeast infections:

+ not getting enough sleep

+ too much sugar

+ wearing pads/tampons for too long

+ tight or synthetic clothes

+ irritating products: bath, detergent, lube, etc.

+ stress

+ antibiotics

+ a weak immune system

+ high blood sugar

+ hormonal imbalance near period

+ being pregnant

Things you can do to prevent yeast infections:

+ wear cotton underwear

+ wear loose, breathable pants

+ change out of wet clothes (workout/swimsuits) ASAP

+ limit your sugar consumption

+ use natural soap and detergents

+ avoid regularly using panty liners (let your bits breathe)

+ avoid scented feminine products/soaps

+ get a probiotic

+ eat a balanced diet - consider checking out candida diet

+ switch to birth control without estrogen

+ keep your lady parts clean and dry — don’t be rough or use complicated soaps, just focus a gentle hand and some water in the folds and creases to clean them off

+ sleep more

I’m sure if you struggle with yeast infections or UTI’s you’ve read every forum and list out there on how to treat and prevent them. I wish there was a one-stop solution for everyone.

Have you had any experience with yeast infections? What have you found to help?