If you're a woman, you run about a 75% chance of developing at least one yeast infection in your lifetime. While those are some pretty high odds, they don't guarantee that you'll develop one. However, if you do end up with a yeast infection, chances are pretty good that you'll get at least one more at some point in your life. Unfortunately, there are quite a few things that can cause yeast infections, such as antibiotic use, pregnancy, and even birth control pills. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to avoid the problem altogether. To help reduce your risk of developing a yeast infection, here are four simple steps you can take.

Watch the Way You Wipe

You may not realize this, but when you're a woman, there's a right way, and a wrong way, to wipe. If you're wiping from back to front, you're introducing bacteria and germs to your vaginal area. To avoid that problem, and reduce your risk for yeast infection, you should always wipe from front to back.

Let Your Panties Breathe

Those silk panties may be cute, but they're not going to give you the protection against yeast infections that you need. In fact, they might just increase your risk of developing a yeast infection. Panties that don't breathe properly increase the amount of heat and moisture that can build up, which will increase your risk of developing a yeast infection. Protect your privates by choosing panties made from breathable fabrics such as cotton. They may not be as cute as those little silk panties, but they'll prevent yeast infections.

Avoid Those Tight Pants

Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments. Unfortunately, like silk panties, tight pants can cause the same conditions, which can increase the occurrence of yeast infections. To prevent the problem, you should try to avoid tight pants, especially jeans. Instead, choose a looser fit to keep yourself cool where it counts. If you do wear tight jeans, try to wear them for shorter periods of time, which means avoid wearing them for an entire day while you're at work, or school.

Limit Your Hot Tub Exposure

Summer might be the perfect time to jump in the hot tub, but you could be jumping right into a potential yeast infection. Because yeast grows in warm, moist environments, a hot tub while you're wearing a tight bathing suit, will increase your risk. If you do get in the hot tub, stay for just a few minutes, and then change into something dry as soon as you're done.

Don't get stuck with another yeast infection. Use the tips provided here to protect yourself against them. For other tips on how to avoid painfully irritating yeast infections, talk to your gynecologist. Visit a site like http://www.centraliowaobgyn.com for more help.