Oh Girlfriend! A yeast infection can be such a miserable experience!

Yeast infections are an indication that something is out of balance in your body. Our bodies have all kinds of microorganisms growing in us that help with thousands of different functions from breaking down the food we eat to protecting us from germs. When you get a yeast infection it is an indication that one of these systems has gone haywire and yeast has taken over in its place.

We get yeast infections from a number of different sources but I have found that I get them after taking antibiotics for upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis or other. Somehow the antibiotics go to work and kill all of the naturally occurring good bacteria in my body along with the bad bacteria leaving my system open to yeast infections.

Yeast is a naturally occurring bacteria-like spore and really is only a problem when it is out of balance. But when it is out of balance it can make a person crazy with itching and burning and general overall miserableness.

Fortunately it is one of the easiest things to overcome with very simple home remedies and careful attention to a number of different factors. If it gets to the point where you are climbing the walls with it, it is best to just go to your doctor for a prescription for it. In three days or so it will be under control.

You can stop the itch and burning temporarily by bathing in a bath of a cup or so of cider vinegar and warm water. After your bath use a light powder such as one with baking soda and that will help too. Wear cotton underwear and be certain the clothes you wear are not so tight as to cause you to perspire in your crotch because this causes a fertile breeding ground for yeast: warm, dark and moist is what yeast just love. Give up panyhose in particular for a few days if you can.

I find that eating yogurt settles the yeast situation in my body and brings it back into balance and the yeast clears up in just a couple of days. But many women suggest using a tampon covered with plain yogurt in your vagina to clear up the yeast vaginally.

The web is rife with other home remedies if you just Google “yeast infections”. After you get it under control it is important not to reinfect yourself right away.

Your partner can reinfect you and you can have a flare-up soon after getting rid of it if you are not particularly careful.

It is important to consider what you eat as well during the time that you are treating the yeast infection. Yeast loves sugar and will expand exponentially if you consume a lot of sugar. Think natural foods, yogurt and the like for the time being.

If the infection does not clear up on its own, you can get an over-the-counter Monistat- type product and this works well until you are back in balance again. Again you have to look at what you are doing to cause the problem and stop that behavior until you get back in balance. Also, if you have had the infection for several days and are continuing to be miserable, contact your physician for a prescription. They work quickly and thoroughly.

Take good care of yourself and eat your yogurt!

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A vaginal yeast infection is the result of too much Candida bacteria in the vagina. There are several causes of this, but the most common is antibiotics. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat infections and frequently kill off vaginal bacteria that balance between the Candida. In their proper balance the bacteria keep the vagina healthy.

It’s best to be certain you have a yeast infection before you begin treating one, especially if you’ve never had one before. Yeast infections bear many similarities to other vaginal ailments so see your doctor if you’re uncertain. Your doctor can diagnose the problem with a simple and painless test.

A yeast infection is not an indicator of sexual activity. Any female can develop it, regardless of their age. In infants, the same type of infection is often found in the mouth and is called Thrush. Candida and other bacteria are always in our bodies. A yeast infection is simply an imbalance in the bacteria.

Once you’ve established that your problem is indeed an infection there are several treatment options. Currently, there are approximately three different name brand treatments that take from seven days to one day to complete treatment. These products all involve inserting an ovule into the vagina with a tube. Some require applying a cream to the vaginal area as well. At least one requires taking a pill orally along with inserting the ovule. The ovules cause a discharge so it is advisable to wear some sort of panty protection while using them. Frequently, both infection and treatment have an odor associated with them. Avoid using perfumes or douches to control the odor as these will only irritate your vagina more.

A homeopathic remedy for a yeast infection is Acidophilus which is most commonly found in yogurt. Eating a yogurt rich in acidophilus for a few days will treat your infection non-invasively. There are several yogurt brands that emphasize their acidophilus content on their label. The amount of acidophilus in different yogurts is pretty much the same when they have it. So all you need to do is make sure it’s in the one you’re eating.

A word of warning needs to be issued here. Regardless of what treatment you are using, if you are not feeling any relief within fort-eight hours consult your doctor. In most cases your condition won’t be cured this quickly but the itching should be eased.

If you aren’t sure your condition is a yeast infection, it is better to see a doctor for a diagnosis than try a hit and miss treatment. Vaginal conditions, if not treated correctly, can cause other problems, including sexual discomfort, and injury.

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Most women will experience several yeast infections in their lifetimes. The term “yeast infection” is somewhat of a misnomer. It is not actually an infection — rather, it is an overgrowth of natural yeast in the vagina. Yeast is present in the vagina all of the time — however, under certain conditions, some types of the yeast organisms start growing too fast. The result is itching, burning, a “yeasty” smell, and discharge.

What conditions allow yeast infections to take hold? Often times, an unbalance in the vaginal Ph (its acidity) is to blame. This unbalance can occur due to diet, menstrual-related changes, and sexual intercourse, although often times, we never find out what is to blame for causing a yeast infection.

There are two basic ways of treating a yeast infection. First, prescription or over the counter medications that contain substances that kill the yest can be used. These medications are generally in the form of a cream or vaginal suppository, and take about three to seven days to be fully effective. Although you can obtain a prescription for yeast infection medication from your doctor, evidence suggests that over the counter medications are as effective. However, if you use an over the counter treatment and are not successful at getting rid of your yeast infection, do talk to your doctor about using a prescription medication. Your doctor should also do an examination and rule out other conditions, such as a bacterial vaginal infection.

Second, there are a number of natural treatments that women use successfully to treat a yeast infection. Two of the most common treatments are garlic and yogurt, either of which need to be inserted into the vagina. They can also be consumed orally, but vaginal contact is key. Yogurt can be inserted into the vagina using a suppository, blunt syringe, or finger. Many women also freeze yogurt, often in the fingers of a latex glove, and then insert the frozen piece of yogurt. Garlic can be inserted directly, or a sachet can be created by wrapping cloves of garlic in cheesecloth.

Many women also apply vinegar or bathe in vinegar water. Use a natural apple cider vinegar for the best result. Vinegars work the same way that many other treatments, including yogurt, work — they change the acidity of the vagina to make it less hospitable to the kind of yeast that has overgrown.

Some women also have success preventing yeast infections from happening in the first place by eating or inserting yogurt or garlic, or applying vinegar, whenever they feel that the Ph of their vagina may be changing — for example, before and after your period. Yeast infection prevention also involves avoiding douching and tight underwear and clothing that might not allow your vagina to “breathe”. In addition, bathing frequently, but avoiding excessive cleansing or use of soap products inside the vagina or vulva is essential to helping your vaginal yeasts maintain their natural balance.

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