Vaginal infection causes - Torso of model in red gloves holding pink flowers

What Causes Vaginal Infections?

November 10, 2022

Most people with vulvas will experience at least one vaginal infection, like a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, at some point in their lifetime...however that doesn't make them any less irritating. But what if you could avoid these infections altogether? What if you could spot them before they even started so you could nip them in the bud before they got out of hand? That would be much better, wouldn’t it?

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of vaginal infections and what to avoid to keep your vagina healthy and balanced.

Douching

The vagina is self-cleaning (cool, right?) and contains a very delicate balance of bacteria. Douching can throw off this balance of bacteria and upset your vaginal pH, leading to vaginal infections, especially if they contain harsh chemicals and fragrances. So stop the vaginal infection cycle by avoiding douching!

Using Harsh Vaginal Health Products

Many people use vaginal ‘health’ products with harsh ingredients and artificial fragrances to wash their vulva (remember: NEVER put these products inside the vagina). These chemical-laden products can disrupt your vaginal microbiome, causing more problems down the road. That’s why it's important to know what you're putting in and on your body.

Excess Sugar and Carbs

This one’s a bummer but… excess sugar, carbs, and alcohol can increase your risk for vaginal infections. When you eat sugar and carbs, your body breaks them down into sugar molecules which yeast and ‘bad’ bacteria in your vaginal microbiome feed off of, which can easily turn into a vaginal infection. So just remember: everything in moderation!

Pregnancy

It's not unusual for people with uteruses to experience vaginal infections during pregnancy, as hormonal changes can increase your likelihood of developing vaginal health issues. But the good news is that if you take preventative steps to maintain your vaginal health, you'll be able to minimize the risk of infection.

Hormonal Changes

Shifts in your hormone levels can throw off your vaginal microbiome- especially during puberty or while on hormonal birth control- which will cause the pH level of your vagina to change. It's important to keep track of these changes in order to maintain your vaginal health.

Antibiotics

Many people use antibiotics to treat a myriad of health problems. While this is a common treatment, it also has the potential to cause a vaginal infection. Antibiotics wipe out all the bacteria in your vaginal microbiome including the 'good' bacteria, making it easy for ‘bad’ bacteria and yeast to take over. So take preventative measures (like using Salve) to reduce your risk of falling into the antibiotics-vaginal infection cycle!

Tight Clothing

Bacteria thrives in warm, moist environments. So wearing tight clothes with non-breathable fabrics can allow bacteria and yeast to grow rapidly. It's important to be aware of this and take steps like: wearing cotton underwear, avoiding tight clothing and synthetic fabric, and changing out of post-workout clothing ASAP!

BUT if you do find yourself with a vaginal infection (because hey, it happens) you can use Momotaro Apotheca products to naturally address symptoms of common vaginal infections and general day-to-day irritation.