Natural Cures for Vaginal Yeast Infections

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When Candida albicans, a fungus, multiplies unabated and wreaks havoc in the crotch area, it’s hard to ignore. There can be many reasons for this infection to occur, but the results are always the same! Vaginal itch, vulvar soreness, cheese-like vaginal discharge, intense burning and pain. These vaginal yeast infection symptoms generally make you suffer in the extreme. But, the reality is you’re not the only one suffering from this annoying, but curable, infection, over seventy-five percent women fall victim to it during their lifetime.

Yeast infection causes and cures

If this is the first time you’ve had a yeast infection, consult your physician before trying any home remedy for vaginal yeast infection or over-the-counter products. The drugs will generally come in the form of vaginal creams and vaginal applications rather than oral medication. And pregnant women can expect to undergo a longer treatment and closer monitoring.

There are both over-the-counter and natural cures for yeast infection available. If it’s your first time, then probably you should go in for home cure for yeast infection. However, your physician will be the right person to suggest the best cures for yeast infection.

Homemade cures for yeast infection have been used since antiquity, although scientific studies have not proven their effectiveness, probably because they work for some and don’t work for others. The first amongst these are vinegar douches. These are generally used to clean the vagina after menstrual periods or sex.

However, this may remove the good bacteria lining the vagina and, if you’re experiencing vaginal discharge, it may actually worsen the condition. The other is eating yogurt. Yogurt contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, the good bacteria. According to one study, women who took a cup of yogurt a day for six months continuously reduced the incidence of yeast infection. However, this has not been proven conclusively.

Many current non-prescription over-the-counter medications, like Candisil, highly recommended for mild cases of yeast infection, have cure rates of about seventy-five to ninety percent! Other over-the-counter drugs, containing antihistamines or topical anesthetics (numbing medications), are not that effective and only mask the symptoms without treating the underlying problem.

The strong prescription drugs may include miconazole (Monistat-7, M-Zole), tioconazole (Vagistat Vaginal), butoconazole (Femstat) and clotrimazole (Femizole-7, Gyne-Lotrimin). These are sold as vaginal suppositories or creams and are inserted into the vagina with a plunger-type applicator or massaged into the vagina, depending on the formulation. Using them daily for seven days generally manages to clear the infection. However, stronger doses require only one to three days for taking full effect.

Severe infections need stronger antifungal medications, which are normally taken orally as a single dose. These include fluconazole (Diflucan) and itraconazole (Sporanox). All these powerful drugs are generally used for second or recurrent yeast infection and are known to cause side effects too. So, if increased irritation persists in the area, discontinue the medication immediately.

However, it’s important to remember that using these drugs, when the condition is not properly diagnosed, can make the yeast resistant. And resistant infections are very difficult to treat with the currently available medications. So, always get your symptoms properly diagnosed from a physician before trying out any cures.