How to Cure Vaginial Yeast Infection Naturally

Yeast infection is the most prominent type of vaginitis. Symptoms include vaginal itching and a thick white discharge that resembles cottage cheese. It occurs when imbalances in the body's flora disrupt the normal environment of the vagina causing an overgrowth of Candida albicans. Most women will have this problem at some time in their life.

If you have a yeast infection, you may have overgrowth of candida in other parts of your body such as the intestines, mouth and throat, toe nails, etc. The factors that may increase your risk of yeast infections are taking birth control pills, antibiotics and steroids, hormonal changes caused during pregnancy or menopause. Another cause may be a weakening of the immune system.

Supplements and Herbs

Probiotics -- Probiotics will rebuild and balance the flora which will help in preventing an overgrowth of yeast. Insert two capsules of acidophilus into your vagina daily to increase the flora directly. You can also use plain unsweetened yogurt with live cultures as a suppository. Insert two tablespoons daily and be sure and wear a pad. Two ways you can insert the yogurt are using an empty tampon inserter or a turkey baster.

Garlic and Pau D'arco -- These are great herbs to help you control candida albicans overgrowth. You can also insert garlic vaginally as well. Take a peeled garlic clove and insert it as far into the vagina as you can every night for a week. The downside in using garlic is the smell, but it is very effective.

DIM-Plus -- This is a great product that I have used myself. A while back I was having problems with recurring vaginitis, dryness and hot flashes. DIM-Plus has really helped to stop my hot flashes, and I no longer have recurring vaginitis or yeast infections. In trying to balance my hormones I had tried herbs like black cohosh, maca, chaste berry, etc. but none of them worked. DIM-Plus works within just a week or two to improve symptoms.

Immune boosting supplements and herbs are also helpful.

Douches

Povidone Iodine Douche -- Use two tablespoons of povidone iodine (Betadine) in a quart of warm filtered or bottled water and use once per day for one week to two weeks. Do not use longer than two weeks. The first couple of times you may feel a stinging sensation but then it will go away. This is proof that it is healing the infection.

Peroxide Douche -- Put 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide in a quart of warm filtered or bottled water and use once a day for one week to 10 days. Hydrogen peroxide is naturally produced by friendly bacteria in your vagina and is able to kill candida. This douche is excellent in helping you to replenish hydrogen peroxide levels.

Things You Can Do To Help Prevent Vaginitis

Wear all cotton underwear
Take showers not baths
Don't use harsh soaps that are scented
Always wipe from front to back when using the toilet
Avoid scented tampons or pads
After a course of antibiotics supplement with acidophilis for at least a month
Eliminate sugar from your diet as it feeds candida
Eat yogurt