Vaginal Yeast Infection and How to Get Rid of It

Our body is home to millions of yeast organism considered as good bacteria for our health. The yeast that causes infection is the strain Candida albicans that can overgrow and be known as the condition candidiasis. These common species of yeast thrive in damp and moist places in our body like the mouth, throat, nose, intestines and armpits, genitals, anal area, navel, within the ears, fingernails, toenails, in between fingers and toes.

Vaginal yeast infection is caused by candid fungus. It is also known as vaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis or candida vulvovaginitis. It is the infection of the vagina that causes inflammation.

Symptoms of Vaginal Yeast Infection

• Very uncomfortable and severe vaginal itching
• Thick, clumpy and odorless vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese
• Redness and swelling around the opening to the vagina, the vulva and the labia
• Vaginal pain during intercourse and menstruation
• Slight bleeding
• Painful urination
• Unusual smell

Candida yeast is capable of spreading to other parts of your body like the digestive system. It is a form of internal digestive yeast infection that causes fatigue, digestive upset, food cravings or changes in appetite.

Risk factors of acquiring vaginal yeast infection includes antibiotic treatments, during pregnancy, hormone therapy or birth control pills usage of persons with hormonal imbalance, after sexual intercourse, low immune system, during menstruation, diabetes, and poor hygiene like wearing dirty and damp clothes.

Treatment

Keep skin clean and dry. Practice good hygiene. Take care of open cuts to prevent infections. Wash genital area and wipe it dry. After sexual intercourse, wash your genitalia to prevent spreading infection.

Clean clothes. Wear clean and loose-fitting clothes and underwear to allow air help stop moisture and warmth which can worsen yeast growth.

Rule out allergies. Allergies can cause infections. Switch chemical products to more natural ones to prevent infection to take place and irritate your genitalia.

Nutrient-Rich Diet and probiotics. Boost your immune system with nutrient-rich diet to reduce the risk of infection. Eat vegetables and probiotic foods to fight infections especially yeast infections. Control sugar level since high levels feed yeast overgrowth.

Watch out for hormonal and other medical problems. Conditions like diabetes has high sugar level that fuel candida yeast growth. Manage your diet to prevent yeast to multiply.

Supplements and Essential Oils

• Supplements and essential oils help stop yeast infections.
• Probiotic supplements replenish good bacteria and is best for natural treatment of yeast infections
• Apple cider vinegar helps balance the pH levels
• Elderberry and milk thistle help cleanse the liver
• Boric acid alternative and safe treatment for recurrent yeast infection
• Antioxidants help boost the immune system
• Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and myrrh oils help kill parasites, yeast and fungi. May be used topically outside the vaginal area.

Be aware of the signs and symptoms of vaginal yeast infection so you can easily treat it yourself at home. There are lots of home remedies and supplements available for you to choose from.  But when bleeding occurs, see your doctor. When the doctor recommends antibiotics, avoid unnecessary intake to avoid killing the good bacteria and result to antibiotic resistance.