5 Home Remedies for Vaginal Yeast Infection
Vaginal yeast infection is a common problem that affects approximately one in three women. It is important to apply the best yeast infection treatment to ensure that it does not return. Because a recurring yeast infection is quite annoying to deal with.
What is a Vaginal Yeast Infection?
A vaginal yeast infection or vaginal candidiasis is a simple infection caused by the overgrowth of the natural flora of the vagina. The causative agent is the fungus, Candida albicans, which is normally found in the vagina without any complications. Only when it overgrows and takes over the flora, due to a wide variety of causes, does it cause a yeast infection.
Causes of Vaginal Yeast Infection
There are many factors that result in the overgrowth of the fungus responsible for a vaginal yeast infection.
- Hormones: They have a huge impact on the vaginal flora. Changes in hormones during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can trigger an overgrowth of the natural flora of the vagina, and cause yeast infections requiring proper treatment.
- Sexual Intercourse: Yeast infection is contagious and can be spread from person to person through sexual intercourse.
- Diabetes: Increased blood sugar levels can also increase the sugar content in the mucous membranes of the vagina. The sugary membranes become the feeding ground for the yeast and allow them to grow at rapid rates.
- Antibiotics: They can kill off the good bacteria and flora of the vagina, allowing Candida albicans to take over
- Douches & Vaginal Spray: The use of these cleansing products are not allowed as they disturb the pH balance of the vagina. This balance is crucial for the maintenance of the vaginal flora. Any imbalance allows yeast to grow rampant and cause a yeast infection
- Weak Immune System: People suffering from HIV, AIDS, or any other condition that weakens their immune system are more prone to getting yeast infection than those who are not.
How to Treat Vaginal Yeast Infection?
There are many remedies and treatment options available on the internet but not all of them work. Some of them might just make it worse. It is important to choose the right yeast infection treatment to avoid any complications of the condition. Because yeast infection on its own is not as bad but the complications can significantly worsen the yeast infection symptoms.
The most common treatment options for vaginal yeast infection are antifungal medications. They are available in the form of pills, capsules, ointments, and topical creams. You can also use home remedies to find quick relief from a vaginal yeast infection.
Top 5 Remedies for Vaginal Yeast Infection
Many people swear by the home remedies for vaginal yeast infection treatment as they provide relief in a few days. In some cases, they may take up to a week, but the intensity of the symptoms decreases significantly during this period.
Before you opt for home remedies, you need to be sure that you have a yeast infection, and not any other bacterial infection as they may have yeast infection-like symptoms. Visit a gynaecologist to get diagnosed. Since the condition can mimic other conditions, going to the best gynaecologist in Dubai or the region is recommended for accurate diagnosis.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yoghurt is full of probiotics which are great for maintaining the gut microbiome. For yeast infection treatment, it is recommended to use plain greek yoghurt as flavoured greek yoghurt will only fuel the growth of Candia albicans.
Eating greek yoghurt alone is not enough. For best results, apply it to the vulva. If you are unable to eat yoghurt for any reason, taking probiotic supplements is a good alternative. Probiotic suppositories are also available for maximal benefits
Garlic
Garlic is a potent anti-fungal ingredient that you can incorporate into your diet to get rid of yeast infection symptoms. While some people do recommend the insertion of garlic into the vagina for a permanent treatment, it is strongly advised to refrain from doing that. There is no scientific evidence backing the use of garlic as a suppository for yeast infection treatment.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil is also a great choice for the treatment of yeast infection but as it is a strong oil, using a carrier oil such as jojoba oil is needed. If you are not too sure about using the tea tree oil directly, you can also buy tea tree oil suppositories that will produce the same results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a magic solution for most health issues. There are two methods of using apple cider vinegar for yeast infection treatment but only one of them is backed by scientific evidence. It is recommended to add half a cup of apple cider vinegar to the bath water and then soak in the bath to get rid of yeast infection and the associated symptoms. Douching with apple cider vinegar is not recommended.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This should be used the same way as apple cider vinegar for appropriate yeast infection treatment. Add it to the bath water to dilute it, and then soak in the bath for twenty minutes for best results.
References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34883540/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC538912/
- https://www.enj.eg.net/article.asp?issn=2090-6021;year=2017;volume=14;issue=1;spage=41;epage=49;aulast=Fares