10 Natural Solutions for Yeast Infections

Many women experience vaginitis at some point, characterized by itching, burning, discomfort, and unusual discharge due to a vaginal yeast infection. These infections are often triggered by various organisms, including the fungus Candida albicans, which is naturally present in the vagina. Symptoms may include irritation, a distinct odor resembling baked bread, and redness around the labia and sometimes the upper thighs.

Although home remedies can effectively treat yeast infections, it’s crucial to confirm that yeast is the actual cause. Other infections with similar symptoms may require prescription medications for proper treatment.

A foul-smelling, yellowish, and frothy discharge could indicate an infection caused by the protozoa Trichomonas, commonly known as "trick." If you experience a heavy discharge with minimal irritation and a fishy odor, especially after intercourse, it might be due to bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial infections are, in fact, the leading cause of vaginitis. Both conditions necessitate treatment with prescription medications.

Women who frequently experience yeast infections often recognize the symptoms easily, having been diagnosed by a doctor previously. If you’re confident your vaginitis stems from a yeast infection, consider exploring the home remedies outlined in the following section.

1: Stay Dry and Loose

Yeast thrives in warm, moist, and low-oxygen environments. To prevent their growth, ensure your vaginal area is completely dry after bathing or showering.

Choose breathable cotton underwear and loose-fitting pants. If you wear nylons, opt for ones with a cotton-lined panty. Additionally, avoid staying in a wet swimsuit for too long; change into dry clothes immediately after swimming.

2: Practice Good Hygiene

Yeast infections are caused by organisms that release irritating secretions affecting genital tissues. The nerve endings detecting yeast are situated at the vaginal opening. Even if the infection is internal, frequent washing with water can alleviate symptoms until your treatment eliminates the infection.

While yeast infections are commonly transmitted between sexual partners, they can also spread to others, including children, through shared baths. To prevent transmission, avoid bathing or sharing towels with children, wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, and launder clothes in hot water. Adding a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle can further ensure yeast organisms are destroyed.

Ensure thorough washing before intimacy and encourage your partner to do the same.

3: Avoid Harsh Soaps and Feminine Hygiene Products

The alcohol and chemicals in these products can irritate and disrupt the vagina's pH balance, creating an environment where yeast can thrive.

Routine douching is unnecessary without vaginal symptoms. However, for those experiencing yeast infection symptoms, a mild vinegar douche can help restore the vagina's natural pH (around 4.5). Douching with yogurt containing live lactobacillus or acidophilus bacteria can also replenish beneficial microorganisms lost during infection or antibiotic use. Follow these steps for effective douching:

4: Use Yogurt

Plain yogurt with live cultures is an excellent remedy for yeast infections, helping to restore the balance of acid and bacteria in multiple ways. You can consume it, insert 1 to 2 tablespoons vaginally, apply it externally to affected areas, or use it as a douche by mixing it with warm water.

Another option is to use lactobacillus tablets vaginally once or twice daily and douche with vinegar twice a day for two days. These tablets can be found in the natural-supplement section of pharmacies or health-food stores.

5: Bring on the Boric

Research indicates that boric acid is a safe, affordable, and efficient remedy for yeast infections. With your doctor's approval, you can use boric-acid capsules as suppositories during flare-ups. To create your own suppositories, fill size "O" gelatin capsules with boric acid and insert one vaginally daily for a week. Consult your pharmacist for the necessary supplies.

Avoid this remedy if you are pregnant or could be pregnant, as boric acid's effects during pregnancy are not well-studied. Consult your doctor for alternative treatments.

6: Try Over-the-counter Fungal Creams

Miconazole (Monistat) and clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) are proven remedies for yeast infections. Once available only by prescription, these treatments are now accessible over the counter at pharmacies and various retail stores.

Follow the instructions on the package for application. Ensure you complete the full treatment course as directed, even if symptoms improve before finishing. If yeast infections tend to occur around your menstrual cycle, consider using these antifungal creams a few days before and after your period as a preventive measure.

7: Head to the Kitchen

Unsweetened cranberry juice can acidify vaginal secretions, helping to combat yeast. Consuming two fresh garlic cloves daily, either raw or added to salads or sauces, may also prevent or treat yeast infections due to garlic's antifungal properties.

For thrush, brush your teeth after meals with a gentle paste made of baking soda and water. Commercial toothpaste may irritate if sores are present. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, then rinse with a solution of warm water and hydrogen peroxide. Replace your toothbrush once the infection clears.

8: Go Herbal

For thrush, prepare a basil tea by boiling 3 1/2 cups of water, removing it from heat, and adding 1 1/4 teaspoons of ground basil. Let it steep covered for 30 minutes, then cool and use as a gargle. Alternatively, sweeten with maple syrup and drink one cup twice daily.

To soothe itching and burning, create a rosemary tea for use as a douche or external application. Alternatively, brew thyme tea with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme per cup of boiling water. Drink 1 to 4 cups daily to combat yeast infections.

9: Treat Both Partners and Rethink Contraception

Sexual partners can repeatedly pass yeast infections to each other, even after one has been treated. Men, especially those who are uncircumcised, may carry yeast organisms without showing symptoms. To prevent reinfection, both partners should be treated simultaneously when one is diagnosed with a yeast infection.

Couples should use condoms during intercourse until a yeast infection is fully cured, even if other contraceptive methods like the Pill or an IUD are in use. This acts as a barrier to prevent transmission.

Women on birth control pills are more susceptible to yeast infections. Although a direct cause hasn't been proven, studies suggest that oral contraceptives increase vaginal glycogen levels, providing more fuel for yeast growth.

Contraceptive sponges may also contribute to yeast infections, though the reason is unclear. If you experience recurrent yeast infections, consider switching to alternative birth control methods like condoms, a diaphragm, a cervical cap, or an IUD, and consult your doctor for advice.

10: Avoid Routine Douching

Frequent douching, often thought to be a healthy habit, can disrupt the vagina's pH balance and increase the risk of yeast infections. The vagina is self-cleaning, making routine douching unnecessary.

Routine douching is associated with a higher risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. PID can lead to fallopian tube scarring and infertility. If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, it can become life-threatening.

A 1990 study revealed that women who douched three or more times monthly were times more likely to develop PID compared to those who douched less than once a month. Symptoms of PID include fever, chills, lower abdominal pain, back pain, spotting, pain during or after intercourse, and pus-like vaginal discharge. Not all symptoms may appear, so consult a doctor immediately if any are present.

Routine douching is not only linked to PID but may also increase the risk of cervical cancer, according to some researchers.

The takeaway is clear: While occasional douching during an infection might help, it should not become a regular practice.