The holidays are filled with family, friends, parties, presents, and a lot of alcohol and food—especially sugar!

After the festivities and feasts, if you noticed that your environment “down there” feels a little different, the holidays might have gifted you with something you certainly didn’t ask for: a yeast infection.

How is this possible? Well, believe it or not, excess sugar can do more than upset your stomach and cause weight gain. All those savory meals, sweet treats, and alcoholic beverages can throw off your vaginal balance, creating the perfect environment for a yeast infection to form.

But there’s more! The holiday season can bring together several factors that, when combined, can significantly increase your risk of developing a yeast infection.

In this article, you’ll learn how sugar can sometimes create bacterial imbalance, resulting in a yeast infection, and what you can do to celebrate with fewer adverse effects in the future.

What is a Yeast Infection?

A yeast infection is a very common fungal infection that most women will experience at least once in their lifetime. In fact, 3 out of 4 women will get yeast infection at some point—or multiple times—during their life.

Don’t worry; a yeast infection isn’t a sexually transmitted disease or a serious infection. It is a very common and treatable type of vaginitis. That said, it is uncomfortable and can cause irritation, itching, and other annoying symptoms if left untreated.

The vagina is home to a natural balance of bacteria and yeast. When everything is in balance, it doesn’t cause any problems. But sometimes, something can throw off that balance. Whether it’s antibiotics, hormonal changes, or other factors like holiday sweets, yeast starts to grow more than it should.

Essentially, yeast becomes the dominant strain, and you’re left with abnormal discharge, itching, and burning until you are treated and things get back in balance.

Candida albicans is the most common cause of yeast infections, but it’s not the only one. Other types of yeast can also cause infections, and they may be more difficult to treat. That’s why, even though home test kits are available for diagnosing a yeast infection—if you think you have one, it’s best to visit your OBGYN.

Only an OBGYN or other qualified healthcare professional can properly diagnose a yeast infection and determine which strain might be causing your symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?

Yeast infections have a range of symptoms, and the severity can vary from barely noticeable to moderate. They also share some of the same symptoms as other vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and even some sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

However, there are some pretty telling signs that your discomfort is a yeast infection.

Yeast infection symptoms typically include:

  • Redness and swelling of the vulva
  • Irritation and itching in and around the vagina
  • A burning feeling made worse by urination or intercourse
  • Discharge that is thick, white, and has a cottage cheese-like appearance (often odorless, which helps differentiate it from other infections like bacterial vaginosis, which often has a distinct fishy smell.)

Yeast infections share many of the same or very similar symptoms as other infections, so it’s important to see your OBGYN if you have an odd feminine odor or any symptoms of a yeast infection.

They will perform a simple test and exam to determine if your symptoms are due to yeast overgrowth or something else.

What Causes a Yeast Infection?

A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of yeast. Several factors can lead to this overgrowth, particularly during the holiday season.

Here is a list of the most common causes of a yeast infection and how they contribute to the condition:

Sugar and Carb Overload

You’ve probably heard that yeast overgrowth can happen in your gut. This makes sense because your digestive system directly processes the food you consume. But if you’re scratching your head wondering how it can happen in your vagina, let us explain.

When it comes to vaginal health, the connection is less direct but still possible, as the body’s systems are interconnected. It’s not as simple as “eating sugar causes a yeast infection.” Indulging in sweets or alcohol over the holidays might not directly cause a yeast infection for everyone, but it can contribute to the conditions that allow yeast to flourish, increasing the risk of developing one.

How? Well, for starters, just like your gut, your vagina has its own unique microbiome (a community of bacteria and other microorganisms that work together to maintain a healthy environment.) When you consume a lot of sugar or refined carbs, your blood sugar levels spike. This excess sugar doesn’t just stay in your bloodstream; it can also show up in your vaginal secretions.

This leaves Candida (the yeast responsible for most yeast infections) the “perfect” environment to grow more rapidly, outnumber the “good” bacteria that keep yeast levels in check, and disrupt the natural balance of your vaginal microbiome.

Not everyone who consumes a lot of sugar will develop a yeast infection—it depends on individual factors like genetics, immune system strength, and overall health. But if you aren’t careful, especially if you already have a weakened immune system, struggle with unstable blood sugar levels, or are prone to getting yeast infections, they can create the perfect conditions for a yeast infection by throwing your body’s natural balance off track.

Alcohol Indulgence

We hate to break it to ya, but those festive holiday toasts and celebratory cocktails might cause more than a hangover—they could also give yeast the upper hand, resulting in a yeast infection.

Yes, the sugar in them is partially to blame, but it’s not only high-sugar beverages like craft cocktails, wine, and champagne that can contribute. Even if you’re sipping on a lower-sugar option like a vodka soda or toasting with a tequila shot, the alcohol itself can create conditions that allow the yeast to thrive.

That’s because once alcohol is in your body, it’s converted into sugar. So, while straight spirits without juices and syrups are much better choices because they don’t have added sugars, alcohol in any form can create an environment where yeast can thrive, leading to an overgrowth.

But the reason excess alcohol can increase your chances of a yeast infection doesn’t stop there. Alcohol can also impact your immune system, making it harder for your body to keep yeast under control. When your immune system is compromised, yeast can multiply more easily.

So, if you sipped on quite a few extra drinks over the holiday season and have a yeast infection now, the alcohol you drank could be a contributing factor.

Stress and Lack of Sleep

The holiday season is busy for most people. We juggle a calendar full of holiday events and parties, host gatherings, shop for the perfect gifts, and travel.

When you’re stressed, your body releases more of the hormone cortisol, which, over time, can weaken your immune system. A compromised immune system makes it harder for your body to keep things (including yeast) in check.

To make things worse, the holidays can also disrupt your sleep routine. Sleeping in a different bed while traveling, time zone changes and lack of quality sleep further stress your body and weaken your immune defenses.

While stress alone isn’t likely to cause a yeast infection, the combination of holiday stressors can add up. Together, they create an environment where your body might struggle to maintain the delicate balance of bacteria and yeast in your vaginal microbiome, increasing the risk of an infection.

Travel and Hygiene Changes

It’s common for people to travel more during the holidays. Not only can travel itself cause stress but if you wear layers of clothing (especially tight ones like leggings, which are a go-to for most women when they travel), those long flights or car rides can also contribute to an environment that encourages yeast growth.

Sitting for extended periods in clothing that doesn’t allow your skin to breathe, especially in synthetic fabrics, can trap moisture and sweat near your vaginal area, creating conditions where yeast can thrive.

Antibiotic Use

The holiday season is also crud season. If you caught anything that required antibiotics, this is the most likely reason for your yeast infection. Antibiotic use is an extremely common cause of yeast infections. That’s because antibiotics don’t just target harmful bacteria—they also wipe out the good bacteria that help keep yeast in balance.

When the natural balance of bacteria in your body is disrupted, it can create an environment where yeast, particularly Candida, can grow unchecked. This is especially true if you are on strong antibiotics for a prolonged period or take them frequently.

Other Causes of a Yeast Infection

Excess sugar consumed during the holidays, added stress that can weaken your immune system, medicines to fight off winter infections, and tight clothing during travel are all things that make the holidays “prime time” for developing a yeast infection.

Especially considering it’s often not just one of these factors but a combination of all of them that can significantly increase the likelihood of a yeast infection occurring.

There are also other factors and underlying causes that can contribute to a yeast infection. If any of these apply to you, your chances of getting a yeast infection during the holidays may be even higher:

Hormonal Changes

Fluctuations in hormones, such as those caused by pregnancy, birth control, or menopause, can increase the risk of a yeast infection.

Uncontrolled Diabetes

High blood sugar levels can encourage yeast growth, which is why women with uncontrolled diabetes are at greater risk of developing yeast infections.

Use of Scented Products

Scented soaps, douches, or feminine sprays can disrupt the natural pH of the vagina, leading to an overgrowth of yeast.

Sexual Activity

While a yeast infection isn’t classified as a sexually transmitted infection, sexual activity can sometimes trigger a yeast infection. Friction from sex can irritate the vaginal area, and the exchange of bacteria between partners may disturb the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina.

Women who are prone to yeast infections might find that they experience them after sex, especially if they’re using lubricants with added sugars or fragrances, which can also contribute to overgrowth.

How to Prevent Holiday Yeast Infections

As you can see, the holiday season brings extra challenges that can increase the risk of yeast infections. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to help prevent them.

Here are some easy, effective tips to keep yeast at bay and your microbiome balanced:

Avoid or Limit Sugar

It’s easier said than done, especially during the holidays, but paying attention to what you’re eating and drinking is key to preventing an overgrowth of yeast. Excess sugar feeds yeast, and consuming it in large amounts during the holiday season can increase the risk of yeast infections.

You don’t need to avoid sugar completely. Enjoy holiday treats, but do so in moderation. Only indulge in the sugary foods you truly love and can only enjoy once a year, and make healthier choices when possible to help limit your intake.

An added bonus is that limiting sugar will also help you avoid packing on holiday pounds.

Season Food with Garlic

Garlic has powerful antifungal properties thanks to allicin, a compound that forms when garlic is crushed. Allicin can help reduce the yeast’s ability to attach to cells, preventing an overgrowth of yeast in your system.

So, add some fresh garlic to your dishes when cooking or enjoying a holiday meal. Not only will it add flavor, but it also comes with a health boost that may help keep yeast at bay.

Add Fermented Foods to Your Plate (With One Exception)

Fermented foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and some brands of yogurt, are rich in probiotics, which support a healthy balance of bacteria in your body. Probiotics can help keep harmful bacteria, including yeast, in check.

However, not all fermented foods are created equal. Fermented alcohol and yeast-fermented products like beer, wine, and bread should be avoided or limited since they may feed yeast rather than help combat it.

Oh, and please don’t put yogurt in your vagina. This somehow became a homeopathic trend. Eat yogurt, yes, but do not put it (or any of these other things) inside your vagina.

Take a Quality Probiotic

Probiotics found in fermented foods can help keep yeast in check. However, a high-quality probiotic supplement provides a more concentrated and diverse dose of beneficial bacteria, giving you better results.

Probiotic supplements help replenish the good bacteria in your body. This is especially important if you are taking or have taken antibiotics, which can disrupt your microbiome.

Taking a high-quality probiotic supplement can help restore and maintain balance.

Make Sure You Really Need an Antibiotic

Many people take antibiotics when they aren’t necessary. In fact, according to the CDC, at least 28% of antibiotic prescriptions in the United States are unnecessary.

Not every sniffle, cough, and fever requires an antibiotic. However, antibiotics are sometimes necessary to fight certain infections. If you truly need an antibiotic, just know that it will disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your body, including in your vagina, and potentially create the perfect conditions for a yeast infection to develop.

If you need antibiotics, make sure to replenish good bacteria by taking probiotics and eating probiotic-rich foods during and after your antibiotic treatment. This helps restore the natural balance and can reduce your risk of developing a yeast infection after treatment.

Manage Your Stress

Stress and lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections, including yeast infections. The holiday season can be stressful, so it’s important to take care of your mental health.

Whether through exercise, yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or just taking a moment to relax, managing stress can help keep your immune system strong and prevent infections (including a yeast infection.)

Choose Breathable Clothing

It is common to wear multiple layers of clothing in the winter. However, tight, non-breathable fabrics—especially synthetic ones—can create the perfect environment for yeast to thrive.

Opt for loose, breathable clothing, particularly cotton underwear, to allow air circulation and minimize moisture. If you’re traveling or sitting for extended periods, take the opportunity to freshen up and change into dry, clean clothes to help prevent yeast growth.

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying properly hydrated helps keep your body hydrated and supports the natural function of your immune system. It also helps maintain healthy vaginal secretions, which are essential for preventing infections.

Keep a water bottle handy during your holiday travels and celebrations to stay on top of your hydration needs.

Avoid Hot Baths or Long Soaks

A long hot bath can be a relaxing way to unwind, but it can also irritate sensitive skin and disrupt the natural pH balance of your vagina. Excess heat and prolonged exposure to water can create an environment where yeast can thrive.

If you want to soak, opt for a shorter bath with warm water and avoid using scented bath products or harsh soaps.

Get Moving

When traveling or sitting for long periods, moisture can accumulate in areas where yeast thrives, increasing the risk of infection. Sitting for extended hours in tight clothing, especially in confined spaces like planes or cars, can trap sweat and moisture near your vaginal area.

Taking breaks to move around and stretch can help reduce this moisture buildup and lower your risk of developing a yeast infection. So, get up and move when you can to stay comfortable and help keep yeast in check!

Final Thoughts

Yeast infections are already common for many women year-round, but we often see an increase in cases during and after the holiday season. This is likely due to factors such as excess sugar intake, weakened immunity caused by stress and lack of sleep, and medications taken to fight off common winter illnesses.

While following these tips won’t guarantee you won’t get a yeast infection, they can significantly lower your chances. Plus, cutting back on sugar, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and taking a probiotic can give you a nice little jump-start if you made weight loss a New Year’s resolution!

If you have any health concerns or think you currently have a yeast infection, we can help. Call us to schedule an appointment at our Brentwood, Tennessee, office. Dr. Jeffrey Lodge can identify a yeast infection in the office and prescribe any needed medications.