Natural Treatments for Yeast Infections

Yeast infections can be a woman's worst enemy. The itching and discomfort make life unpleasant. What's worse is that it can become a chronic condition in which the woman finds relief from one yeast infection only to find herself with another flare-up a couple of weeks or even days later. But there's hope, and it is possible to find relief through understanding the cause for yeast infections and by utilizing natural remedies.

While candida albicans is a normal part of a body's intestinal flora, it doesn't always behave as it is supposed to. When candida is doing its job, it aids digestion and protects the body from more harmful bacteria. But when the immune system is low, the candida can multiply, overgrow and wreak havoc on the body-such as when it causes a candida yeast infection.

Studies show that three out four women experience yeast infections sometime during their lives. Causes of yeast infections include hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause, high-sugar diet, douching, diabetes, antibiotics, steroids, and birth control pills.

Symptoms of a candida yeast infection include severe itching and redness of the vagina area as well as a cottage cheese like vaginal discharge that may also have a foul odor. Additionally, women with yeast infections may experience burning, irritation and even pain when engaging in sexual intercourse.

While some women have success with prescription and over-the-counter yeast infection treatments, others prefer to deal with the condition in a more natural, holistic way. Below are some safe, alternative treatments or home remedies to help rid oneself of candida yeast infections:

--Take probiotics to build up the healthy bacteria in your body which will then prevent the overgrowth of the harmful bacteria. It is available in pill, liquid and vaginal suppository form and can benefit the health in ways other than healing a yeast infection.

--Consuming and/or applying to the vagina plain, sugar free yogurt is a good way to build-up the healthy bacteria in the body's system. When applying to the vagina, it provides a cooling relief to irritated skin and membranes.

--Inserting one clove of garlic into the vagina can also help to fight the candida overgrowth. The key is to attach a long piece of thread to the peeled garlic clove and then insert, leaving it in overnight.

--Utilizing boric acid suppositories in the vagina is another natural home remedy. As an antiseptic and anti-fungal substance, studies have shown it to be as effective as certain prescription drugs for curing yeast infections.

--Changing the diet has also proved to be beneficial for people suffering from chronic yeast infections. Since a high-sugar, high-yeast (high carb) diet feeds the candida yeast, it is wise to reduce or eliminate sugary and processed foods. Instead, focus on eating whole foods, particularly vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of sugar-free yogurts to provide for the best possible nutrition to rid oneself of candidiasis.