Can Using Laundry Detergent Lead to Yeast Infections?

Laundry detergent is an everyday household product that most of us use frequently without second thought. We toss it in the wash to get our clothes clean. But could our choice of laundry detergent have unexpected consequences for feminine health?

Specifically, could using laundry detergent make women more prone to developing uncomfortable yeast infections?

What Is a Yeast Infection?

Before exploring whether laundry detergents are a potential culprit, let’s first understand what exactly a yeast infection is.

A yeast infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. The vagina normally hosts a balance of different microbes, including bacteria and fungi like yeast. An infection happens when something disrupts this balance, allowing yeast like Candida albicans to rapidly multiply unchecked.

The most common symptoms of a yeast infection include itching, burning, redness, and thick white discharge. It can cause soreness, pain when urinating or during sex, and overall discomfort.

Yeast infections are very common – 3 out of 4 women will experience at least one yeast infection at some point in their lives. So what causes them?

Risk Factors for Developing Yeast Infections

There are many potential reasons why some women seem more prone to yeast infections than others. Factors that are linked to a higher risk include:

• Using antibiotics – antibiotics kill off protective bacteria which can allow yeast to overgrow
• Pregnancy – hormonal changes and increased glycogen production can promote yeast growth
• Uncontrolled diabetes – yeast feed off glucose so high blood sugars allow them to thrive
• Weakened immune system – certain health conditions and medications suppress the immune system’s ability to regulate yeast
• Douching – washing out protective vaginal bacteria makes infections more likely
• Tight clothing – lack of ventilation and airflow sets up the moist environment yeast need to multiply

Could laundry detergent also be added to this list of risk factors? Here’s a look at the evidence:

Laundry Detergents and Ingredient Irritation

Many conventional laundry detergents contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and chemicals that help dissolve stains, brighten fabrics, and make clothes smell fresh. However, some ingredients may irritate sensitive skin and mucous membranes.

For example, added perfumes and dyes have been associated with allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. The anionic surfactants that help lift dirt can also strip away natural skin oils. And the caustic alkali ingredients that boost cleaning power can alter pH balance.

When it comes to the vagina, disrupting pH and depleting protective oils could theoretically promote conditions favorable to infection. The vagina is a finely balanced ecosystem and small changes can be enough to tip the scales towards overgrowth of troublemaking microbes like yeast.

So it’s possible that residue transferred from laundry to underwear could contain irritants that contribute to yeast infection development. However the contribution is likely minor compared to other factors.

Minimizing Risks from Laundry Detergents

If you’re concerned that your choice of laundry detergent could be increasing your personal risk for recurrent yeast infections, here are some tips:

Rinse clothes thoroughly – make sure to use an extra rinse cycle when doing laundry. This will flush out any excess detergent residue trapped in the fabric fibers.

Avoid scented products – purchase a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic laundry detergent formulated for people with sensitive skin. These are less likely to contain problematic ingredients.

Change after exercise – make sure to change out sweaty workout clothes soon after exercising rather than sitting for prolonged periods in damp fabrics where yeast could grow.

Wear cotton underwear – cotton allows for more airflow while materials like nylon and spandex tend to trap in heat and moisture.

Improve overall health – focus on factors within your control like eating yogurt with probiotics, managing stress levels, and treating any underlying medical issues like diabetes that could make you more vulnerable.

See your doctor – if changes to laundry routine don’t provide relief from chronic yeast infections, there may be another underlying cause. Get checked by your OB-GYN and have them help develop an effective treatment plan.

The Bottom Line

In summary, mainstream laundry detergents contain some problematic ingredients that could theoretically irritate vaginal tissue and alter the microbiome’s delicate balance. However yeast infections have numerous, complex causes so it’s difficult to pin the blame solely on doing laundry.

Still, it can’t hurt to take extra precautions by rinsing clothes thoroughly and choosing a more natural, fragrance-free product. But keep in mind that factors like antibiotics, high blood sugar, and douches likely play a bigger role for most women struggling with chronic infections.

Focus on improving modifiable health factors, wear breathable cotton underwear, and see your doctor if natural remedies and detergent changes fail to resolve frustrating symptoms. With some trial and error most women can eventually find an effective treatment plan.

References:

Farage, Miranda A., and Howard I. Maibach. 2006. “Lifetime Changes in the Vulva and Vagina.” Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 273 (4): 195–202.

Fidel, Paul L. 2007. “History and Update on Host Defense Against Vaginal Candidiasis.” American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 57 (1): 2–12.

Nyirjesy, Paul, Sandra Sobel, Mark Walters, Terri Kay Mayer, and Myron S. Cohen. 1995. “Chronic Fungal Vaginitis: The Value of Cultures.” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 173 (3, Part 1): 820–23.

Sobel, Jack D. 1988. “Pathogenesis and Treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 10 (Supplement_1): S148–53.

Sobel, Jack D. 2016. “Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 214 (1): 15–21.