It’s Netflix-and-chill time with your beau. Don’t forget the popcorn and rom-coms. And definitely don’t forget to pack the right sleepwear. Did you know that what seems like a simple choice––what to wear to bed––can have a big impact on your vaginal health and urinary health? Let’s check it out—the Do’s and Don’ts of going to bed! (Ahem…you know what I mean…)
YEAST INFECTION SYMPTOMS
A yeast infection is a fungal infection in the vagina. Typical symptoms are burning, itching, swelling of the vulva, pain when urinating or during sex, and a thick, white discharge that looks like, well—cottage cheese.1It’s not pretty, but it’s also not uncommon. Most women will get a yeast infection at least once in their lives. It’s the result of an overgrowth of Candida—a fungus that is naturally present in everyone’s body in small amounts. Candida can grow out of control due to a number of factors including pregnancy, diabetes, a weakened immune system, antibiotic use or having sex with someone who has an active infection of their own.1
UTI SYMPTOMS
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is just what it sounds like – an infection of the urinary tract. That includes the urethra, bladder, kidneys or ureters (the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys). Both men and women can get them, but women tend to get them more often because the female urethra is shorter and thereby easier for bacteria to travel inside the body to the urinary tract. Other causes include diabetes, pregnancy, kidney stones, failure to empty the bladder completely or surgery involving the urinary tract.2
Depending on where the infection is located, symptoms may include cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine, a low fever, pain or burning when you pee, pressure or cramping in the abdomen or lower back, or the need to urinate even when your bladder is empty. If the infection gets worse, the fever may get higher, the pain may get more severe or encompass more of the abdominal area, you can suffer nausea and vomiting, chills and night sweats, and generally feel tired and lousy all over.2
HOW TO HELP AVOID YEAST INFECTIONS AND UTIs WHILE YOU SLEEP
The right sleepwear and bedtime habits can help to decrease your chances of getting yeast infections and UTIs while you sleep. First thing to remember—there’s power in a shower! Showering before bedtime, also before and after sex, is a great way to help keep yeast infections at bay. And frankly, who doesn’t want to get under the covers, on your own or with a special someone, while you’re fresh, cool and clean? And skip the fancy, harsh scented soaps and douches. They come loaded with chemical compounds that can change your pH balance, making it easier for yeast infections to grow.3
Another tip: Don’t be rotten—choose silk or cotton. Cotton and silk are the best choices for sleepwear fabrics. They absorb moisture, keeping you dry (synthetic fabrics hold moisture close to your skin, fostering an environment conducive to the growth of yeast).4 Natural fabrics also decrease the chance of perspiration by allowing the dampness to evaporate.5 And because they’re breathable, they allow for airflow––helping to maintain a dry environment that makes it harder for a yeast infection to begin.6
Loose-fitting PJs are a good choice for sleepwear—plenty comfy, but perfectly polite during a late-night trip to the toilet. Keep the tight underwear or thongs in the drawer. They may track bacteria back into the urethra and the vagina, not to mention they also keep a warm, moist environment that fosters the growth of yeast if made of synthetic materials.7
Speaking of keeping things breathable—what better way than ‘au naturel’ or ‘going commando’? When you’re nestled in bed, remember this last tip: there’s no need to be shy—keep the downstairs dry.8
HAD ENOUGH?
Ok, ok, I’m just having fun now with the catch phrases. But if they help you remember how to help avoid yeast infections and UTIs at night, I did my job. The fact is—you have a lot of choices when it comes to your nighttime runway look, so dress for your comfort, not for the cameras. (See? I can’t stop!)
If you want to be proactive about your urinary and vaginal health, AZO® has you covered. Try AZO® Cranberry supplements, AZO® Dual Protection or AZO® D-Mannose to help cleanse and protect the urinary tract and AZO® Complete Feminine Balance, a clinically studied probiotic designed to help replenish the vagina’s natural balance of good bacteria.
1Vaginal Yeast Infections http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/vaginal-yeast-infections.html
2Urinary Tract Infection Adults https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000521.htm
3Leading Causes of Yeast Infection and How to Prevent It http://www.cycleharmony.com/remedies/vaginal-discharge-or-infections/8-leading-causes-of-yeast-infection-and-how-to-prevent-it
4Yeast Infection Guide http://www.everydayhealth.com/yeast-infection/guide/prevention/
5Understanding Vaginal Yeast Infections—Prevention http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-vaginal-yeast-infection-prevention
6Lifestyle Habits that Lead to Yeast Infections http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/yeast-infection/lifestyle-habits-and-yeast-infections/
7Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) http://www.bustle.com/articles/35095-5-steps-to-choosing-the-best-underwear-for-your-health
85 Steps to Choosing the Best Underwear for Your Health http://www.bustle.com/articles/35095-5-steps-to-choosing-the-best-underwear-for-your-health
