I have always been very prone to yeast infections. The first one I had when I was only 10 and my mother insists it must have been from a public toilet (unlikely but not impossible). I must have had a full raging infection at least five times in my life. Nowadays I have found several natural remedies that work perfectly fine.
Natural remedies for yeast infection
I decided on writing this article because I felt an infection coming on but could not get an internal douche where I live (I recently emigrated to Scandinavia, they have heard of it :)). In near-panic I turned to the Internet, but only found some helpful tips after hours of searching. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of articles on yeast infection but very little on natural cures and on how to actually apply them. So here are my - hopefully helpful - tips.Lactacyd
My physician told me about this when I came there for the third time for a prescription for Canesten. Lactacyd is a liquid which you dilute with water and apply with an internal douche. That is basically a bottle with a tube on it, approximately 10 cm long, with a rounded tip with holes in it. You can start using it once or twice daily if you feel some irritation. You can actually cure an infection with it (it takes a long time). An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure, I would say - cliche but true.Yoghurt
Much cheaper than Lactacyd and you can get it anywhere. Only use pure natural yoghurt, no sugar or fruit. I usually add some hot water to it (up to 1/3) so it becomes tepid. An internal douche works best for me, but I have read that you can also dip a tampon in yoghurt and insert that, or use a cotton ball. I have stopped using tampons years ago when I found out that it gives a lot more risk for yeast infection than pads, so I do not have those. But I have tried the cottonball method and it works better for me than method number 4 in this article - but that is only personal experience.Vinegar
Finally I found some tips on the Internet about which quantity to use. But they vary from 1% to 20%! I have had good results with a 10% solution (which is 10 ml vinegar and 100 ml water, if you are not into mls, 4 tablespoons to a quart). I prefer the yoghurt because it gives a soothing feeling. The vinegar gives a bit of a dry feeling, in my opinion. It runs out immediately, while the yoghurt takes some time (use a pantiliner to protect your expensive lingerie :))In all three cases, do not use it every day, only during those periods when you need it. The natural flora of your body should be able to take care of itself. Overflushing is not good. But do not wait too long if you feel irritation, just once or twice could re-establish the natural balance you need.
If you have never used a douche before: it works best if you sit down on the toilet or sit or lie down in the shower or bath because the fluid runs out. Hold the bottle upside down to prevent air from going inside yourself. Insert the tip, push it gently backwards until it is completely in (if you are short and it is coming against your uterus do not push it further). It should never be painful. Then squeeze it in one long squeeze. I generally discard the rest and clean the bottle very carefully and make sure it is fully dry before I store it to prevent mold.
Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules
Last one which I found recently in the local apothecary: Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules which you can insert. It works, but I personally found yoghurt much more pleasant and effective, although a capsule is a quick-and-easy non-medical solution. However, this is not medical evidence in any sense.I cannot resist adding some technical details although you can find those in abundance on the net, but I feel the article is incomplete without this. Skip the blabla if you only want to know how to get cured. But please read the final paragraph.
Yeast infections are caused by an imbalance in the acidity of the vagina, causing an imbalance in the naturally present bacteria and other microbes inside the body. Infections are caused by the yeast Candida albicans which is naturally present in the body but whose growth is kept in check by other bacteria. The infection is basically caused by an overabundance of Candida, which can lead to burning, itching, redness, swelling, and a white to brownish discharge which smells distinctly fishy, making this a very embarassing condition. It can be caused or aggravated by many things including, NOT in the order of any statistical evidence of importance, and not limited to:
- using soap
- leaving tampons in too long
- wearing tight clothing too long
- wearing pantiliners or sanitary pads all the time
- using deodorized wipes and other deodorized products (too often)
- wearing strings (thongs, they are also called) There are no studies on this but I have talked to many doctors who are convinced that they see more yeast infections with women who wear string underwear. It provides a contact route from the rectum to the vagina, for one thing; it creates friction on delicate skin also.
- outside infection
- wiping yourself from the rear to the front instead of the other way around
- too much friction (from using foreign objects)
- stress
- a change in your love life
You can get a yeast infection even if you are not active; it is basically not a sexually transmittable disease although in some (rare) cases your partner can re-infect you, so avoid intercourse when you have an infection.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Finally: there are many other diseases which have similar symptoms. If you have any reason whatsoever to think that it might be a sexually transmittable disease instead of a relatively innocent yeast infection, go to a physician to have it tested. Yeast infections can be pretty persistent, sometimes lasting a couple of weeks, but if it does not go away do not hesitate to go to a doctor.Did you find this article helpful? Leave me a comment, or better yet: tell someone else about it!
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