Women have known for ages how to identify and affect yeast infection treatment to a sudden vaginal yeast population growth, referred to as a “yeast infection.” Yeast is a type of fungus. Yeast infections are the results of an upset in vaginal Ph or an imbalance in the vagina’s acid and base properties. Because no foreign bacteria enter the body to cause this problem, it is not a true “infection”. Instead, this kind of “infection” is really an overgrowth of the yeast-like fungus called Candida. Yeast organisms are part of the germs (including bacteria) that are normally found on various parts of the body and which ordinarily cause no symptoms.
The most prominent symptoms are itching (you should not experience burning, unless the skin area is raw from scratching) along with a discharge. A yeast infection is more bothersome than dangerous, and often the symptoms are fairly easy to treat with an “at home” yeast infection treatment. Once you know that you are, in fact, dealing with a yeast infection, you can often find that many of the natural “at home” yeast infection treatment ingredients are already in your cupboards or refrigerator.
Yeast infections happen when the PH balance of the vagina gets thrown off. PH of the vagina changes when we take birth control pills, wear too tight clothing, get sick, have a period, and so many other things. Obviously it’s pretty easy to get a yeast infection. Treatment is simple, and just like you would expect, all you have to do is restore the PH of the vagina to mildly acidic, basically you are re-acidifying it. Most women prefer these non-medical treatments for yeast, because the over-the-counter methods can be quite expensive, and sometimes they are simply not very effective, others just like to use more natural methods of healing their bodies. Here are some natural cure yeast infection that work for many women and may be helpful to you:
• Using a small spoon, spatula, or empty tampon inserter, you can insert unpasteurized, plain yogurt into the vagina. Perform this treatment at night and wear a pad while you sleep to collect any residue. Repeat this for three nights to one week, or until symptoms fully disappear.
• If you find that straight yogurt feels painful, it may help if you create a yogurt and water douche and eat lots of yogurt. Many women find this treatment as effective.
• Coat the vagina, vulva (including the labia or “lips”), and cervix with gentian violet. This method does stain so you will most likely want to wear a pad to keep things neat. The beauty of this treatment is that symptoms often clear up after just one treatment. You can find gentian violet in health food and vitamin stores.
• Use a garlic suppository. You can create this by peeling a clove of garlic and wrapping it in gauze. Be sure that the entire clove is wrapped because the liquid from the garlic can be painful if it touches sensitive mucous membranes near the entrance of your vagina. Insert this into the vagina overnight. Be careful not to leave it in more than 12 hours. Symptoms typically clear up after 3 days of treatment. It will also help if you eat lots of garlic.
• Drink a lot of cranberry juice. Unsweetened is best because sugar helps the fungus to grow. This is also a great preventive measure.
• Have some Acidophilus. This is available in powder or capsule form in health food stores and can also be found in many yogurts. It is usually advertised right on the label.
• Use a vinegar and water douche. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to a quart of water, and douche once per day. This is very effective when combined with yogurt suppositories.
You’re probably wondering which yeast infection treatment is best? Everyone has a favorite treatment that works for them. To call upon the old cliché, all of our bodies are different and will respond to these yeast infection remedies differently. Some would rather visit their doctor for a prescription treatment, while others prefer over the counter yeast infection treatment, still others are firm believers in the above at-home remedies. These are the most popular treatments, the best yeast infection treatment for you, will be the one you feel comfortable with and that is most effective for you.