The thing to understand about a yeast infection down there is that while it may sound very scary – it is not incurable. So although you might have to suffer through some discomfort if you develop a vaginal yeast infection, it is something that can be dealt with. Here are a few things you ought to know about and home remedies for yeast infection treatment down there.
Easy Home Remedies For Yeast Infection
Wanna know how to get rid of a yeast infection using simple home remedies? Here are some home remedies for yeast infection treatment that you can use down there. Have a look!
Coconut Oil For Yeast Infection
Coconut oil for yeast infection is a really beneficial natural product to use. It contains antifungal properties that combat vaginal yeast. Applying raw coconut oil on the affected area internally or externally helps to ease the symptoms faster. Also, warmed coconut oil can be used as a carrier oil for more essential oils including oregano oil and tea tree oil. So, go and choose coconut oil wisely as some products are specially made and suited for cooking purpose.
Also Read: White Discharge During Pregnancy
Prepare A Garlic Paste
Garlic is a natural product that has antibiotic and antifungal properties that helps lower the effects of vaginal yeast infection. Using a piece of garlic internally helps to relief yeast infection. As per the experiences of different people, you can insert a piece of garlic attached to a string inside your vagina and it has helped them all. But people with sensitive skin can feel burning sensations and damage the skin. If you don’t want to use garlic, but don’t want to insert a piece of garlic in your vagina, then you can even go for a vaginal cream containing garlic.
How To Prepare garlic paste?
- Peel the garlic
- Cut it into small pieces
- Mash the pieces
- Pulverize the product
Use A Natural Yoghurt
A natural yoghurt that does not contain any sweeter contains good bacteria called probiotics. This good bacteria helps to control the balance of yeast and bacteria in the body. So, probiotics combat the yeast and can be the best and natural solution to heal the infection.
Oil Of Oregano Will Help
The oil of oregano that is made of Origanum vulgare and wild oregano contains two powerful antifungal properties that are carvacrol and thymol that helps to heal a vaginal yeast infection. The wild oregano inhibits the growth of Candida albicans. You can inset oil of oregano in the vagina to cure a yeast infection, or you can even apply the oil of oregano on the tampon and then insert it. All you need to do is to soak the tampon in the oil of oregano and insert it in the vagina, but make sure to change it after some hours.
Boric Acid Can Cure
There are vaginal boric acid capsules available in the market that are specially made for women. You can insert a dosage of 600 mg of the boric acid capsule in the vaginal area once per 14 days as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But before using these capsules, make sure to consult a doctor.
Probiotic Supplements Will Be The Solution
Using probiotic supplements for vaginal yeast infection is a natural solution that is easily available in health stores and pharmacies. You can get specially formulated probiotic supplements for female reproductive health. Probiotic supplements help to balance the good bacteria and yeast in the body which really helps to cure the problem. You can take probiotic supplements orally or you can insert in the vaginal area.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Yeast Infection
Using apple cider vinegar for yeast infection is a really effective way. You can add apple cider vinegar to lukewarm water and add that water in a bathtub. Soak your body in the tub for about 20 minutes and it will help to eliminate the harmful microorganisms from the body. Make sure to use only diluted vinegar to apply on the skin.
These home remedies will surely help to get rid of vaginal yeast infection, but there are times when you should avoid using these home remedies without consulting a doctor.
- Pregnant women should not follow home remedies without consulting doctors.
- Don’t use home remedies if you have been exposed to the sexually transmitted disease.
- If vaginal yeast infection occurs repeatedly.
- If you are not sure that the infection is a yeast infection or not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the causes of vaginal yeast infection?
Yeast is a type of fungus that is usually present in the vagina in small numbers. If one develops a vaginal yeast infection, what it means in simple terms is that too many yeast cells are growing in the vagina.
The cause of yeast infection is a type of yeast called candida albicans. The growth of the yeast in that region is kept in check by the good bacteria present there. However, if there is an imbalance in your system, the bacteria are unable to work effectively.
Also read: 9 Things Every Girl Should Know About Her Vaginal Health
What causes this imbalance that leads to the infection?
A vaginal yeast infection can occur due to many reasons. Some of the more common ones involve…
A. Using soap to clean your vagina thoroughly
While you may think that it’s important to keep your vagina clean (and it is), using soap is not the way to do it. It destroys the natural PH balance of your vagina and kills the good bacteria. Use water to clean your vagina on a regular basis or if you want another option, go for something like V wash, which is designed for the sensitive area.
B. Anything that changes your natural hormonal cycle or levels – such as your birth control pill.
Consult your doctor if you get recurrent episodes of a yeast infection after starting to take birth control pills.
C. Antibiotics
They lower the number of good bacteria in the vagina and more susceptible you become to a yeast infection.
D. Pregnancy
Yeast infections are common during pregnancy. However, the medication you need to take while pregnant, for the same, may differ. Consult your doctor before using any kind of medication.
E. Poor eating habits
If your diet includes a lot of unnatural sugary foods, you might be causing yourself a yeast infection.
F. Wearing wet or damp underwear
Yeast thrives in a warm, wet environment. Try and make sure that you put on clean and dry underwear at all times.
G. Using unclean hands to touch the area
Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands or any other object before you bring it in contact with your vagina.
What are the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection?
Yeast infection has quite a common bunch of symptoms as other vaginal infections. However, if left untreated, the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection can become severe. Frequent symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:
A. Itching
B. Burning
C. Vaginal yeast infection discharge – in small or large amounts – often thick and off whitish in colour. (Although the colour and thickness can differ)
D. Soreness and rashes
Also read: 8 Fun Facts About Your Vagina We Bet You Didn’t Know!
Can it be sexually transmitted?
While a yeast infection is technically not a sexually transmitted disease – since even women who are not sexually active can get a yeast infection – it can be transmitted from one partner to another while having sex. Having sex while you are suffering from a yeast infection is not recommended as you can transfer it to your partner, although the probability of men getting it is low.
How long does a yeast infection last and ways to deal with it?
The period of yeast infection to last depends on the two conditions, one, how severe is the infection and second how you are treating it. Generally, a yeast infection clears up in three days, but if the infection is severe, then it can take up to 2 weeks.
If you have the above symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, go and see your gynaecologist at the earliest. She will be able to advise you on the medication you should take based on how severe your symptoms are. Try and keep the area dry in the meantime and don’t wash it too often. If you don’t want to take prescribed medication or it is the starting of infection then you can use the home remedies for yeast infectiontreatment mentioned above. However, consulting a doctor is still recommended.
Images: Shutterstock
This story was updated in March 2019.
