Vaginal yeast infections are a common infection that many women suffer with at some point in their life. Unfortunately, women are often too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with a health care provider. This embarrassment leads to unnecessary suffering, a worsening infection, and misinformation on how to properly treat the infection. Here, vaginal yeast infections and how to properly treat them are discussed.
Vaginal yeast infections are a common infection that many women suffer with at some point in their life. Unfortunately, women are often too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with a health care provider. This embarrassment leads to unnecessary suffering, a worsening infection, and misinformation on how to properly treat the infection. Here, vaginal yeast infections and how to properly treat them are discussed.
Yeast infections
Typical signs and symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include a vaginal itch, a burning sensation to the vaginal tissue, and typically is associated with a thick, white, and cottage cheese like vaginal discharge.
Risk factors for yeast infections include a high sugar intake, a diet high in carbohydrates and including yeast products such as bread and beer, prolonged periods of time in damp clothing, such as from a wet bathing suit or sweaty clothing, or from a disruption in the normal vaginal flora.
Disruptions to the normal vaginal flora can occur from recent oral antibiotic use. Antibiotics kill off the bad and the good bacteria. Some of the good bacteria are necessary to help prevent the over-growth of vaginal yeast and maintain regular vaginal health.
Proper Treatment
Given yeast infections are caused by a fungal infection, anti-fungal treatments are the hallmark of treatment options. Anti-fungal treatments are available in a range of options, such as a topical cream, a vaginal suppository, or an oral pill that is taken by mouth.
Anti-fungal creams
Anti-fungal creams typically come with an applicator stick to insert the medicated cream internally and can also be applied to the external tissue to treat the infection and symptoms inside and out.
Anti-fungal vaginal suppositories
Anti-fungal vaginal suppositories also come with an applicator stick for ease of insertion vaginally. The suppository then softens and dissolves while releasing the medicated treatment.
Both cream and suppository options are generally taken from three to seven days depending on the strength of the cream and the severity of the infection. It is important to refer to manufacture's instructions for appropriate duration of use.
Oral anti-fungal medication
Oral anti-fungal medication, such as the generic fluconazole 150 mg tablet, can be taken just once a day for one day. Good results are typically seen within two to three days.
A woman's first time experience with a vaginal yeast infection should be further assessed by a health professional to confirm the diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made based on signs and symptoms or by doing a vaginal swab.
If a woman is familiar with the usual signs and symptoms of a yeast infection from previous experience, then over the counter anti-fungal treatment can be started early for timely and effective management.
If in doubt about the diagnosis or if the signs and symptoms do not improve with anti-fungal treatment, then it is always best to follow up with a health care provider for further assessment.
Improper Treatment
As states above, yeast infections are a fungal infection; therefore, they will not respond to treatment with antibiotics. In fact, antibiotics will likely perpetuate a yeast infection and make symptoms worse.
Yeast infections should not be treated with products claiming to be vaginal cleansers. Products that claim to cleanse the vaginal tissue can lead to a disruption in the normal pH balance, this is the fine balance between an acid and a non-acidic, or basic, vaginal environment. A normal pH balance is required to prevent the development of yeast.
Also, do not directly apply products such as tea tree oil, coconut oil, or garlic to the vaginal tissue. These have the potential to cause a burning sensation and will not treat a yeast infection.
What are the natural alternatives?
Let's be honest, no one likes a trip to the doctor, especially when it's such a personal issue. With yeast infections on the rise here are some natural alternatives that can hopefully keep you out of the doctor's waiting room:
PAU D'ACRO - A natural anti-fungal supplement that has been used for centuries for both yeast infections and more recently candida overgrowth. Often taken as a tea, our all natural capsules provide all the benefit in a more convenient way!
ALLICIN PLUS - The strongest garlic formula on the market. Garlic is renown for its anti-microbial properties. Our Allicin Plus formula can be taken without creating a strong garlic odour and differs from other garlic supplements on the market because it is guaranteed to contain the most important part of garlic, the Allicin compound.
PROBIOTIC - Our probiotic supplement contains 20 billion CFU's and is aimed to improve the good bacteria in your body whilst also maintaining a healthy gut flora.
RHUBARB COMPLEX® - Our Award Winning Formula includes cayenne a powerful anti-fungal. The ingredients of the formula work together to help promote regular bowel movements whilst helping rid the body of toxins.
In Summary
Vaginal yeast infections are a common condition that many women may experience. Whilst this condition can be extremely inconvenient at times, symptoms can be temporary and following some of the above advice can provide quick relief. If symptoms persist we would always recommend following up with a medical practitioner.
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