Vaginal Yeast Infection Prevention, Treatment, And Home Remedies! 

yeast infection

Understanding Vaginal Yeast Infection; know the Prerequisites:

A vaginal yeast infection is an infection of the vagina that causes itching and burning of the vulva, the area around the vagina. Three out of four women will have a yeast infection at some point in their life. Yeast infections are easy to treat, but it is important to see your doctor or nurse if you think you have an infection. yeast infection

Women and girls of all ages can get yeast infections, but they are rare before puberty and after menopause. Your risk for vaginal yeast infections is higher if you:

• Are pregnant.
• Have diabetes and your blood sugar is not under control.
• Use a type of hormonal birth control that has higher doses of estrogen.
• Douche or use vaginal sprays.
• Recently took antibiotics such as amoxicillin or steroid medicines.
• Have a weakened immune system, such as from HIV.

Signs And Symptoms:

The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina. Other signs and symptoms include:

• Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulva.
• Pain when urinating.
• Pain during sex.
• Soreness.
• A thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell You may only have a few of these symptoms. They may be mild or severe.

Risk factors:

Factors that increase your risk of developing a yeast infection include:

• Antibiotic use: Yeast infections are common in women who take antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, which kill a range of bacteria, also kill healthy bacteria in your vagina, leading to overgrowth of yeast.
• Increased estrogen levels: Yeast infections are more common in women with higher estrogen levels — such as pregnant women or women taking high-dose estrogen birth control pills or estrogen hormone therapy.
• Uncontrolled diabetes: Women with poorly controlled blood sugar are at greater risk of yeast infections than women with well-controlled blood sugar.
• Impaired immune system. Women with lowered immunity — such as from corticosteroid therapy or HIV infection — are more likely to get yeast infections.

Causes And Factors That Triggers Yeast Infection:

The main reason for this infection to occur is that there is an overgrowth of the yeast fungus in the body. As such, the population of this fungus in the body has increased to such an extent to cause an infection. In order to know what causes a yeast infection, you need to know the factors that contribute to this overgrowth.

1. Antibiotics:

These not only kill the bad bacterial but also the good ones as well. Too much intake of antibiotics can drastically reduce the number of good bacteria in the body. The good bacteria will normally keep the population of fungus in check. However, with not enough good bacteria around, yeast overgrowth will result in causing infections.

2. A weak immune system:

Besides the good bacteria, our immune system also helps to prevent this overgrowth. People having HIV/AIDS or are taking cortisone medications would have a compromised immune system. Their bodies are not strong enough to fight the fungus.

3. Pregnancy:

Pregnant women are prone to getting yeast infections because of the stress of pregnancy. They do not eat well, they suffer from lack of sleep, usually take antibiotics and are therefore vulnerable to infections. During pregnancy, a woman must try to relax, eat well, and get lots of rest.

4. Chemotherapy:

This weakens the immune system and this is what causes a yeast infection.

5. Inner vagina injury:

Chemotherapy may sometimes cause inner vaginal injury. Injuries on skin surfaces will allow the fungus to enter the tissues and grow, thus causing the infections.

6. Being overweight or having diabetes:

The yeast fungus thrives on sugar. Higher blood sugar levels due to overeating or diabetes will encourage the fungus to multiply. As such, sugar intake must be controlled in order to reduce the risk of yeast infections.

7. An unhealthy diet:

Eating well will keep the immune system healthy. Otherwise, the body will not be strong enough to fight against bad bacteria and fungus.

8. Oral Contraceptives:

These will disturb the balance of good and bad bacteria. When this balance is affected, infections are likely to come.

9. Feminine douches and spray, scented tampons, and or toilet paper:

These products can cause an imbalance of microorganisms in the vagina, hence making it more prone to infections.

10. Keeping a wet swimsuit on for long:

This will provide the fungus with a place to breed. The vaginal area needs to be kept dry to prevent yeast infections.

11. Nylon underwear that is tight:

Cotton underwear is more preferable as it allows the vagina to be able to ‘breathe’. Nylon materials tend to keep the moisture in that encourages the yeast to grow. This is what causes a yeast infection.

12. Menopause:

This makes a woman more sensitive to getting a yeast infection. This is because the body reduces the amount of estrogen produced and, as a result, will disturb the chemical balance in the vagina, creating an environment conducive to fungus growth.

Prevention:

To prevent yeast infection – take these easy steps in order to reduce the chance of becoming infected:

• Do not use scented feminine products, including bubble bath, sprays, pads, and tampons.
• Change tampons, pads, and pantyliners often.
• Do not wear tight underwear, pantyhose, pants, or jeans. These can increase body heat and moisture in your genital area.
• Wear underwear with a cotton crotch.
• Change out of wet swimsuits and workout clothes as soon as you can.
• After using the bathroom, always wipe from front to back.
• Avoid hot tubs and very hot baths.
• If you have diabetes, be sure your blood sugar is under control.

Do not:

• Use antibiotics unless they have been prescribed by your doctor: The use and misuse of antibiotics are what cause a great number of infections since the antibiotics kill the bacteria, which are necessary for maintaining the microbiological balance in our bodies.
• Have unprotected sex with multiple partners: Sexual transmission of Candidiasis is rare, yet still possible since the yeast could be found in certain bodily fluids, including semen.

 

• Take steroids: the misuse of steroids or using prescription medication that contains steroids could weaken the immune system. If you fear an infection but need to take medications for an unrelated medical condition, you should discuss alternative treatment with your doctor.

 

• Poor diet and malnutrition are also considered risk factors: As prevention of yeast infection, you should try introducing more fiber-rich food in your diet, avoid white bread and sugar, and eat more raw vegetables.
• Boost your immune system: – people with compromised immune systems are at risk of developing a yeast infection in almost any organ of their bodies, which could be potentially life-threatening.

Treatment:

There are several main types of yeast infection treatment:

1) Over the Counter Treatments:

During the last twenty years or so over the counter treatments such as anti-fungal creams, tablets and suppositories have become available from your local pharmacy.

Most of these treatments can be effective at treating the symptoms of yeast infection but very few are able to properly tackle the root cause – our bacterial imbalance in our intestines. This is because the internal imbalance stems from such a complex situation that potentially involves several different issues.

Therefore the down-sides of relying on upon the counter yeast infection treatment are:

• They are not able to tackle the root cause – only the symptoms.
• There can be nasty side effects if they are used in the long term.
• They do not stop us from continuing what may be a very unhealthy lifestyle which contributes to perpetuating the problem thus allowing recurrent yeast infections, possibly for many years to come.

 

2) Quick Relief:

There are some quick methods that can be effective in easing the symptoms:

• The use of plain yogurt that has not been heat-treated and still contains active pro-biotic bacteria can help when applied to the affected area and left for an hour or so. Make sure that it has not been heat-treated as heat-treatment kills the probiotic bacteria. If the container says “bio-live” on the side this is a good indication that it still contains probiotic bacteria.
• Garlic has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can be applied to the affected area and taken internally and should help to combat the symptoms.
• Organic apple cider vinegar can also help when applied to the affected area.

 

Please understand that while these quick relief methods will definitely go some way towards relieving the symptoms they are highly unlikely to completely cure the infection

3) Doctors Prescriptions:

Doctors find yeast infection difficult to eradicate – simply because it can be triggered by what can be a very complex situation with a combination of so many different factors.

4) Immunotherapy Treatment:

Immunotherapy yeast infection treatment was pioneered in London in the 1960s. This involves dietary changes along with oral drops or injections to increase the body’s immune system while reducing the allergic response. This treatment can be effective but is not usually a permanent solution as it wears off over time.

5) Natural Holistic Treatment:

A natural holistic yeast infection treatment is the safest and most effective way to eliminate the condition permanently – because a comprehensive holistic treatment works on the whole body to tackle the root cause and restore our natural healthy internal balance rather than just dealing with the symptoms.

Self-help measures:

• Eat yogurt with live, active cultures. This can increase the levels of naturally occurring bacteria known as lactobacilli, which will help to decrease the levels of Candida albicans and help to prevent recurrent yeast infections. Natural yogurt can also be applied directly into the vagina during an attack.
• Cut down on refined sugar (eg, chocolate); this can also be beneficial.
• Add a tablespoon of vinegar to bath water to relieve symptoms of itching.
• Wear cotton underwear and try to avoid wearing tights or tight clothing.
• Avoid using highly perfumed bubble baths and soaps. Use a simple soap or baby product instead.
• Sexual intercourse during a yeast infection can be painful.

 

However, if sexual intercourse takes place while one or both partners have a yeast infection a condom must be used until both partners have been treated to prevent reinfection.

Home Remedies For Vaginal Yeast Infection:

1. Plain, Natural Yogurt:

One of the best natural yeast infection home remedy treatments, plain, unsweetened yogurt has myriads of good bacteria in the form of lactobacillus acidophilus. It is exactly these bacteria that are in short supply when yeast infections strike.

Candida is normally present in the body in small, controlled amounts at any given time, but in an uncompromised system, good bacteria keeps yeast in check.

• Yogurt, by providing those good bacteria, helps to bring that balance back.
• Another benefit of yogurt is that it aids digestion.
• Stay away from sweetened yogurts, since sugar helps the yeast to grow, thus defeating the purpose.
• Because yogurt is so powerful at battling yeast infection, you can step up the fight by applying the yogurt topically to the affected area.
• For a vaginal infection, soak a tampon in yogurt and insert.

2. Boric Acid:

Boric acid (orthoboric acid, boracic acid, Acidum Boricum) is a widely utilized chemical compound that happens to have an excellent antiseptic ability.  Much like rubbing alcohol (ethyl alcohol), it will kill microorganisms quite efficiently, but you would never want to ingest it.

Similarly,

boric acid is highly unsafe when taken internally; it should never drink or used in the vagina. There have been cases of fatalities where boric acid was used incorrectly. Boric acid should be considered an extremely toxic substance and should not be considered a valid addition to the pantheon of home remedies for yeast infections.

3. Garlic Oil:

Garlic oil has the potential of containing Clostridium botulinum bacteria that produces one of the most deadly toxins known to man: botulin toxin. If garlic oil has become inoculated with these spores, the oil itself will become a breeding ground for these microorganisms. Eventually, the spores will produce enough botulin toxin to become dangerous to humans.

Approximately,

one microgram of botulin toxin is lethal dose; causing contaminated garlic oil to be extremely dangerous. Infants who ingest Clostridium botulinum spores can die from botulin toxin after the spores multiply inside the intestines. Women who have oral thrush on their nipples or on their child’s bottles should never use garlic oil to kill the yeast infection.

Using garlic oil as a home remedy for yeast infection in these cases will allow the infant to become poisoned with botulism spores. Garlic oil should be avoided at all costs and other, safer home cures for yeast infections should be sought.

4.Tea Tree Oil:

Currently, there is no recommended dosage for tea tree oil; any dosage, therefore, may not be totally safe. Until a recommended dosage for this phytochemical is determined, any use of this substance is done at your own risk.

Tea tree oil is commonly used as a treatment for external (i.e., not taken orally or inserted into any orifice of the body) conditions such as warts caused by HPV. If you desire to take tea tree oil internally please consult a naturalist or medical professional before proceeding.

5. Baking Soda:

Make a mixture of baking soda and water by adding adequate quantities.

• Add two spoons of soda into a glass of water.
• Mix it up and drink it every day.
• Drink this on a regular basis and you’ll be done with your infection in no time.

 

CAUTION:

Do not use this home remedy if you are allergic to baking soda or have less strength in your stomach to digest it.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar:

One of the most amazing potions for about a thousand different ailments, apple cider vinegar is also useful as a yeast infection home remedy. Apple cider vinegar attacks candida internally and externally to alleviate symptoms. You can add a couple of tablespoons to a glass of water and drink it, or pour a cupful into your bath water and soak in it.

Caution:

(If you don’t dilute apple cider vinegar, it will burn your throat, skin, or whatever it touches!)

It’s not likely that apple cider vinegar alone cure the yeast infection, but it will almost certainly give some immediate relief, and is a good addition to a yeast elimination strategy. Surprise bonus: apple cider vinegar helps with weight loss.

Note: only buy raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the “mother”.

Remember, 

No remedy or medicine is ever safe for 100% of humans on the earth. There are many rare and unusual allergies individuals suffer from that make normally harmless substances hazardous. However, on the whole, the best home remedies for yeast infection use items that almost everyone will have no problem with.

Eat Healthy. Live Healthy!

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