So Your Tights Might Be Causing That Yeast Infection

Now that winter is officially here, black tights form part of our everyday uniform. They go with everything and more importantly, they keep us cosy and warm. Unfortunately, there's one negative point. Samantha Dunham, MD, a gyanecologist at the NYU Langone Medical Center and assistant professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine in New York City, previously spoke to Everyday Health and said that yeast thrives in "moist environments". Wearing tights and other items made of nylon and/or synthetic fabrics holds moisture close to your skin, which in turn encourages the growth of yeast. In contrast, cotton and silk fabrics absorb moisture and keep you dry, so underwear made of these fabrics, is advisable to hinder yeast growth. We don't think we can sacrifice our tights anytime soon but there are a couple of measures we can take to avoid yeast infections. The first thing is to opt for underwear made of breathable fabrics and second is to take a probiotic which encourages the growth of healthy bacteria and lessens the chance of a yeast infection occurring. Thirdly, Livestrong have pointed out that bread, sugar and alcohol can contribute to an "overly acidic vaginal PH" which is the ideal breeding ground for yeast. We love our carbs though... Grim we know but it might be worth cutting back on these if you find yourself prone to yeast infections.