Among the various types of diseases that exist globally, infections in the body tracts are one of the most challenging ones to deal with. Both men and women suffer from disorders in their genitalia. These infections are more frequent in women as they have an open tract in a vagina. One of the most common vaginal infections is a yeast infection. Here, we will learn the home remedies for yeast infection to reduce the trouble we go through.
Yeast infection is a fungal infection that occurs in the vaginal tract and causes mucous like discharge, irritation, itching, and discomfort. The tissues in and around the vaginal opening become infected with foreign bacteria that leads to this abnormal condition. Women tend to suffer from a vaginal yeast infection at some point or the other in their lives. Statistically, around three out of four women contract the disease throughout their entire lives.
Vaginal yeast infection is also commonly known as candidiasis. Usually, the environment inside the vaginal tract contains a large number of healthy bacteria and yeast cells. The yeast cells maintain a healthy environment inside the vagina. A change in the yeast cell balance inside the vagina leads to a yeast infection. The disrupted yeast balance then leads to itchiness, irritation, and swelling of the vagina’s tissues. The treatment of yeast infection can take some time. This entirely depends on the severity of the condition. A vaginal yeast infection usually takes a few days to cure. However, if the conditions are severe and intense, it can take a few weeks to get back to normal.
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What is a vaginal yeast infection?
One may wonder if a vaginal yeast infection classifies as a sexually transmitted disease or an STI. Vaginal yeast infection does not qualify as a disease that can be sexually transmitted. Neither is it a sexually transmitted infection or an STI. Women who have had no prior sexual experience can also suffer from a vaginal yeast infection, including sexually active women.
In this article, we will talk about how one can work around a vaginal yeast infection and help themselves to ease the condition to some extent. Vaginal yeast infections or candidiasis can get quite troublesome, and the symptoms are relatively easy to spot. It can be very annoying to deal with a vaginal yeast infection. Thus, this article helps one understand the symptoms and act according to the situation.
Vaginal yeast infection symptoms and causes
The causes of a vaginal yeast infection can be quite a few. The bacteria that causes a vaginal yeast infection is called Candida. This bacteria is already present in the vaginal tract under natural circumstances. Candida exists along with Lactobacillus, which keeps the growth of Candida under check. However, as we mentioned earlier, Candida growth can often disrupt the regular balance of bacterial cells inside the vagina, leading to the symptoms of the onset of a vaginal yeast infection. The reasons behind a vaginal yeast infection can be one or a combination of the following:
- Pregnancy
- Antibiotics in the body
- Diabetes
- Poor eating habits
- High sugar content in food
- Poor immunity system
- Stress
- Poor sleep cycle
- Hormonal imbalance
Poor vaginal health
Most of the vaginal yeast infections occur due to a particular strain of Candida bacteria named Candida albicans. Even though these bacteria cause severe symptoms, it is relatively easy to treat them. A different Candida bacteria strain may cause some of the extreme forms of a vaginal yeast infection. The treatment for this will require a culture test and a lab test of the bacteria. Furthermore, the symptoms generated by severe vaginal yeast infection are all the more serious. They take some time to get rid completely. The signs of a vaginal yeast infection are of many types. As long as the vaginal yeast infection lasts, the symptoms tend to stay in the body for that long.
Vaginal yeast infection can have a few easy to detect symptoms that come along with the disease. The signs stay as long as the condition. These symptoms can be easy to work upon and eliminate the infection. As long as the infection remains, the more severe the symptoms tend to become. Some of the common diseases of vaginal yeast infection are:
- Vaginal itchiness
- Swelling of the vaginal tissues
- Mild pain
- Intense pain during sex
- Burning sensation during urination
- Rashes
- Redness
- Mucous-like vaginal discharge
Out of all the symptoms mentioned above, the most common symptom is the discharge that looks cloudy and forms grey mucous. The release may also be whitish-grey. According to a few medical experts, it may also be described as a substance that resembles a cottage cheese-like texture. In some instances, vaginal discharge consistency during infection may even seem to have relatively high water content. The diagnosis of vaginal yeast infection could require medical help. However, one can try out specific home remedies to relieve the symptoms without introducing antibiotics in the body.
Home Remedies for Yeast Infection
Specific natural home remedies can cure a vaginal yeast infection if the infection is not too strong. The home remedies are especially useful if you do not wish to take a prescription for antibiotics or do not trust the counter medication that most women avail. Home remedies may not be as effective as prescribed medicines. However, they help to reduce the severity of the symptoms that occur with a vaginal yeast infection. Some of the popular home remedies for yeast infection have been mentioned below in the list.
Yogurt or curd
The probiotics, such as yogurt, can be beneficial in case of a vaginal yeast infection. It contains the right amount of Lactobacillus to combat the growing Candida albicans. Greek yogurt is full of healthy bacteria living, and thus, it is known as a probiotic. One of the primary bacteria that exist in Greek yogurt is Lactobacillus acidophilus.
The introduction of Greek yogurt in the vaginal tract can push the vaginal environment to build a healthy Lactobacillus dose, thereby controlling the overgrowth of the bacteria inside the vagina.
As we already know, yogurt or curd has several health benefits on the body. It increases good bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are originally taken with food. They work to decrease the yeast content in the body.
If you are to use yogurt to decrease the vaginal yeast infection in your body, make sure to consume without any added sugar. Additional sugar increases the growth of Candida in the vaginal tract.
Other probiotic supplements that are home remedies for yeast infection
As we mentioned in the previous point, probiotics are one of the best home remedies for yeast infection. They facilitate the body to restore the yeast-bacteria balance overall so that the vaginal yeast infection symptoms may decrease. Women can take probiotics that contain strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus. This is a ready formula to make the body combat the yeast infection and subsequently return to a stage where it has a healthy vaginal flora. It also clears the digestive tract so that one may have a clear stomach.
One can take oral probiotic supplements, which can take a total of 9-10 days to show its results. It is a popular method over-prescribed medicines which have an assured effect on the body.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is one of the popular home remedies for yeast infection. It is a popular antiseptic widely used by women as vaginal yeast infections can be stubborn. The symptoms of an intense vaginal yeast infection can resist quite a few remedies. This is where boric acid comes in and works well. Women can use boric acid topically or make use of suppositories to treat vaginal yeast infection.
One needs to make sure that the quantity of boric acid they use to treat a vaginal yeast infection is in check as large amounts of boric acid can be harmful to the human body. One must refrain from using this home remedy if their skin has breakouts, cuts, or rashes. Pregnant women should not use boric acid, as well. Sensitive skin may also be irritated by the use of boric acid.
Make sure to use small quantities of the boric acid cream or suppositories so that the vaginal tract may not be adversely affected.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is widely known for its health benefits. It is the oil that is extracted from the pulp of coconut, and it is fatty. It has antifungal properties that help the body fight various infections and fungi growing on the skin and scalp. Moreover, it is also used in the preparation of food.
Coconut oil is one of the agents that is effective in treating a vaginal yeast infection. It works well against the Candida albicans bacteria strain to make it one of the very few effective home remedies for yeast infection.
Various types of coconut oil are available in the market. One must check for the mineral oil content in the commercially available coconut oil and refrain from using them. Women must only use coconut oil that is natural and organic to see results as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is not necessary to take the oil orally. One can also apply the coconut oil on the affected area and wait for the symptoms to die eventually.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another agent that is very effective against several skin ailments. It is a highly efficient treatment that works as one of the best home remedies for yeast infection. The vinegar type has quite a few anti-bacterial properties that aid in treating the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection.
Women can add half a cup of apple cider vinegar in their bathwater. They can soak themselves in the lukewarm concoction for about half an hour. The acid part of the waterworks on the vaginal tract magically can heal other skin infections on the body. Harmful microorganisms such as yeast do not live well in an acidic environment. However, one must keep in mind that apple cider vinegar is not meant for douching as that tends to kill all good and bad bacteria in the vaginal and anal tracts. Keep in mind to dilute the acid before you use it topically. For increased benefits, you can also incorporate the use of apple cider vinegar in your daily diet.
These are some of the best home remedies for yeast infection. They tend to flush out the bad bacteria and in this case, the excess of the Candida bacteria. The vaginal tract resumes functioning normally by the onset of the natural balance of a vagina. The pH balance of the vaginal tract is also restored.
Conclusion: home remedies for yeast infection
No matter how effective home remedies for yeast infection may be, it may or may not work well for all people. One needs to find out which of the treatments work well for their bodies. Additionally, they also need to understand the intensity of the vaginal yeast infection in the vaginal tract. Wearing loose fitted underwear and pants helps ease the discomfort. Avoiding aerated drinks and sugared content can also help with vaginal yeast infections.
In case the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection persist even with the use of the home remedies, consult a doctor, and take prescribed medicines. Any product that is natural or artificial may disturb the vaginal atmosphere. Thus, it is advised to check the chemical constitution of the product.
A vaginal yeast infection is common and can be easily treated with the right remedy. Use any of the home remedies for a yeast infection to see results organically.