Best Natural Yeast Infection Cure

A vaginal yeast infection is an irritation of the vagina and the area around the vagina, called the vulva. It is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus or yeast called candida, which is one of the organisms that naturally occurs in a woman’s vagina. The overgrowth occurs when there is an imbalance of the acidity of the vagina or in the body’s hormones.

According to the National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC), vaginal yeast infections are very common. About 75 percent of all women have a yeast infection during their lives. Almost half of all women have two or more yeast infections.

The Food and Drug Administration now allows medications that used to be prescription only to be sold over the counter to treat yeast infections that keep coming back. But before you run out and buy one, if you’ve never been treated for a vaginal yeast infection you should see a doctor. That’s because yeast infections have symptoms that are similar to other, more serious sexually transmitted diseases. Only a doctor can tell for sure if what you are suffering from is a vaginal yeast infection.

Your doctor may advise you to use one of the over the counter drugs products or may prescribe a drug called Diflucan (fluconazole) to treat your vaginal yeast infection. The FDA recently approved the drug, a tablet taken by mouth, for clearing up yeast infections with just one dose. Some women try home remedies but you should definitely talk with your doctor before attempting to treat your vaginal yeast infection symptoms at home. Some home remedies involve chemicals that can irritate the sensitive genital area.

Some of the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include itching, burning or soreness, burning during urination, pain with sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge, rash or redness and odor. Women who experience multiple yeast infections throughout the year are suffering from “recurrent yeast infections” and should be under the care of a doctor. Recurrent yeast infections can be a sign of something more serious (such as diabetes or immune system deficiencies) and treating the root of the problem can reduce the number of yeast infections.

To help prevent vaginal yeast infections, try the following:

• Don’t use douches
• Avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads and tampons
• Change tampons and pads often during your period
• Don’t wear tight underwear or clothes made of synthetic fibers
• Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch
• Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as possible.

Talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent vaginal yeast infections and work with him or her to develop the best treatment plan for you.

Glossary:

Vulva: The area around the vagina
Candida: An organism that occurs naturally in a woman’s vagina that can cause a yeast infection if overgrowth occurs.

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Forty three percent of U.S. women aged 18 or older have experienced vaginal itching according to a recent survey commissioned by the Vagisil Women’s Health Center. In most cases vaginal itching is a minor condition but the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing to discuss with health care providers.

“Feminine itching is a fairly common experience,” said Dr. Adelaide Nardone, clinical instructor of OB/Gyn at Brown University Medical Center. “It can range from a mild external irritation an intense, burning itch that can be both external and internal. “78% of women don’t understand the difference between a vaginal itch that is the result of infection and itching that is not related to an infection.”

Vaginal itching can be caused by a number of factors, including yeast infections. When the doctor rules out yeast infection as the cause he or she will test the sufferer for other types of vaginal infections.

When a woman is experiencing vaginal itching she should avoid scratching because that will only irritate the problem. Do no exercise vigrororsly when you have vaginal ithcing because heat and sweatoing will make it worse. Delay sexual activity until sympms improve or at least use a lubricant. Use condoms to avoid catching or spreading sexually transmitted diseases.

Some common causes of vaginal itching include:

• Chemical irritants: detergents, fabric softeners, feminine sprays, ointments, cream, douches and contraceptive foams or jellies.
• Vaginitis: inflammation, itching, discharge or odor caused by infections other than yeast infections. Vaginitis in girls before puberty is common. However, if a young girl has a sexually transmitted vaginal infection sexual abuse must be considered and addressed.
• Menopause: the drop in estrogen causes thinning of the vaginal wall and less lubrication which can lead to vaginal itching.
• Stress: may increase vaginal itching and make you more susceptible to infections.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis symptoms among women of childbearing age. It previously was called nonspecific vaginitis. Health experts are not sure what role sexual activity plays in BV. Women with this condition will have a thin vaginal discharge that is white or gray in color. They may also experience pain during urination and vaginal itching. In most cases, BV causes no serious complications.

Many women treat the symptoms of vaginal itching with over the counter medications such as Vagisil Anti-Itch Crème, which contains a topical analgesic and benzocaine.

If vaginal itching is caused by a yeast infection, it is often treated with over the counter medications such as Diflucan.

Glossary:

Vaginitis: a condition that cause itching or irritation in the female genital area
Bacterial Vaginitis (BV): the most common cause of vaginitis symptoms among women of childbearing age.

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