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11 Home Remedies For Vaginal Yeast Infections
1. Greek yogurtProbiotics can be effective against Candida Albicans — and yogurt can be considered a probiotic because it contains live bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. These bacteria help promote a healthy environment in your vagina, and they can help address an overgrowth caused by an imbalance.
In a 2015 study, a mixture of yogurt and honey was found to improve symptoms of vaginal yeast infections.
A 2017 study suggests that eating yogurt helps expand your gut microbiome, which can help reduce yeast in your body. If you don't like yogurt, you can take a probiotic supplement or try other probiotic foods.
When it comes to using yogurt for a yeast infection, opt for plain Greek yogurt.
Warning: It's vital that the yogurt doesn't contain any added sugar, flavoring, or fruit. Added sugar can fuel the growth of the Candida fungus.
To reap the benefits, try:
Boric acid is a powerful antiseptic, and some people claim it can help clear up yeast infections resistant to other remedies.
Boric acid vaginal suppositories may be used in combination with medications to treat vaginal infections.
However, boric acid is toxic in large amounts. It can lead to:
Warning: Avoid using boric acid on broken skin, and never take it orally.
If you're pregnant, don't use boric acid in any form. You may also want to consider another remedy if you have sensitive skin.
Discontinue use if you notice any discomfort.
3. Essential oil of oreganoOil of oregano is not the same as common oregano or Origanum marjoram, which you'll usually find in your grocery store's spice section.
To ease a yeast infection, you could search for oregano oil made from wild oregano or Origanum vulgare.
A 2017 study suggests oregano essential oil may prove effective for altering the growth of Candida Albicans.
To use, mix three to five drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil, such as olive or sweet almond oil. Then, apply it to your skin by massaging or inhaling it using a diffuser. Don't apply this essential oil near your vagina.
Warning: Never ingest essential oils. Essential oils are meant to be inhaled as part of aromatherapy or diluted with massage oil to use during massage. They're also not meant to be used internally — external use only!
4. Probiotic suppositories and supplementsProbiotics can help restore the bacteria-yeast balance throughout your body.
Taking oral probiotics that contain strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria can offer a number of health benefits, including helping bring your digestive tract and vaginal flora back into alignment.
Oral supplements can take several days to a few weeks to reach full effect, so some people use probiotics as vaginal suppositories to get results more quickly.
Evidence suggests probiotic suppositories can also help treat bacterial vaginosis (BV).
5. Coconut oilCoconut oil is a fatty oil derived from the flesh of the coconut. The oil has many health benefits, including antifungal properties.
Research suggests coconut oil is effective against C. Albicans, making this home remedy one of the few with supportive evidence behind it.
To treat a vaginal yeast infection using coconut oil, be sure to buy pure, organic coconut oil. You could apply the oil directly to the affected area.
6. Tea tree oilTea tree oil is an essential oil used to help:
In fact, research supports tea tree oil's antifungal properties.
Research from 2016 suggests a combination of probiotics and vaginal suppositories containing tea tree oil may help treat vaginal infections.
More recent lab findings continue to support the antimicrobial activities of tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil is an incredibly powerful essential oil. So, you'll always want to make sure you dilute it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil, if it's going to touch your skin — undiluted tea tree oil should never touch your skin. And just as a reminder, essential oils should never be used internally!
If you can, opt to purchase prepared tea tree vaginal suppositories — this is the safest option.
Warning: Only use tea tree oil occasionally, and never swallow it. If you have sensitive skin, you'll generally want to avoid using tea tree oil. Discontinue use if you experience any discomfort or irritation after using it.
7. Apple cider vinegarOne popular yeast infection remedy is an apple cider vinegar bath.
Vinegar has many medicinal uses, some more supported by research than others.
But when you add a half cup of apple cider vinegar to a lukewarm bathtub and soak for 20 minutes, the acidic component of the vinegar may help eliminate any harmful microorganisms, including yeast.
An apple cider vinegar bath is not the same as douching, which was designed to flush out all bacteria (but actually eliminates good and bad) from your vagina. Douching leaves you more prone to a recurrence of the yeast infection, so avoid douching with apple cider vinegar — or any other substance.
You'll want to dilute vinegar in water before it touches your skin. In addition, you could also try adding apple cider vinegar to your diet.
8. GarlicEvidence suggests garlic may also help kill Candida, though some strains may prove more effective than others.
While more studies are needed, research from 2019 examined the effect of using a garlic solution on sores of the mouth and found it could effectively help curb the growth of Candida. That said, garlic was less effective than nystatin (Nystop), an antifungal medication.
If you want to try garlic to treat a yeast infection, it's best to simply add more garlic to your diet.
Warning: Some websites recommend inserting garlic into your vagina, but we do not recommend this approach. That's because the active compounds in garlic can cause burns and pain when applied to your skin or mucosa. Mucosa, or mucous membrane, is the type of moist tissue that lines your mouth — and yes — the walls of your vagina.
9. Hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that can kill bacteria and yeast. Lactobacillus bacteria in your vagina produce hydrogen peroxide as part of natural biological activity.
Some people swear by using hydrogen peroxide topically when they get a yeast infection.
Adding it to a bath or diluting it in water before applying it to your skin may help with yeast growing on the genitals. You can dilute by combining equal amounts of water and hydrogen peroxide.
Just keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide may not work on every species of yeast, and no strong research supports the use of hydrogen peroxide to treat vaginal infections.
Warning: It's recommended to avoid douching with hydrogen peroxide, never use hydrogen peroxide internally, and avoid using it for an extended period of time.
10. Vitamin CVitamin C is an immune system booster that also has a role in skin health. A strong immune system allows your body to bring itself back into balance.
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, has antimicrobial components, so some people add it to their diet to treat Candida overgrowth.
You can try increasing your intake of vitamin C to boost your body's ability to beat the yeast infection.
Warning: Do not apply the acidic vitamin C to the sensitive vaginal tissue.
11. Vitamin ESome doctors recommend vitamin E for certain types of vaginal inflammation. In fact, lab research suggests vitamin E can help reduce inflammation caused by Candida albicans.
Evidence also suggests vitamin E suppositories may help address atrophic vaginitis (aka, vaginal atrophy), which is the thinning of the vaginal walls caused by a lack of estrogen. Atrophic vaginitis causes changes to the vagina's acidic environment, increasing the risk for bacterial and yeast infections.
You can also purchase vitamin E suppositories intended for vaginal use, or apply vitamin E oil to your vulva or vagina. Vitamin E may help soothe:
If vitamin E doesn't seem to help, a good next step involves asking a healthcare professional for more guidance.
What Is Dysentery And How Is It Treated?
Dysentery is an intestinal infection. Treatment will depend on what caused the infection and may include over-the-counter remedies or antibiotics.
Dysentery is an intestinal infection that causes severe diarrhea with blood. In some cases, mucus may be found in the stool. This usually lasts for 3 to 7 days.
Other symptoms may include:
Dysentery is usually spread as a result of poor hygiene. For example, if someone who has dysentery doesn't wash their hands after using the toilet, anything they touch is at risk.
The infection is also spread through contact with food or water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. Careful hand washing and proper sanitation can help prevent dysentery and keep it from spreading.
Most people who experience dysentery develop either bacterial dysentery or amebic dysentery.
Bacterialdysentery is caused by infection with bacteria from Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or enterohemorrhagic E. Coli. Diarrhea from Shigella is also known as shigellosis. Shigellosis is the most common type of dysentery, with about 500,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year.
Amebic dysentery is caused by a single-celled parasite that infects the intestines. It's also known as amebiasis.
Amebic dysentery is less common in the developed world. It's usually found in tropical locales that have poor sanitary conditions. In the United States, most cases of amebic dysentery occur in people who have traveled to an area where it's common.
Shigellosis and amebic dysentery typically result from poor sanitation. This refers to environments where people who don't have dysentery come into contact with fecal matter from people who do have dysentery.
This contact may be through:
Children are most at risk of shigellosis, but anyone can get it at any age. It's easily spread through person-to-person contact and by contaminated food and drink.
Shigellosis mostly spreads among people who are in close contact with an infected person, such as people:
Amebic dysentery is primarily spread by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water in tropical areas that have poor sanitation.
If you or your child has symptoms of dysentery, see your doctor. If left untreated, dysentery can lead to severe dehydration and become life-threatening.
At your appointment, your doctor will review your symptoms and any recent travels. You should note any travels outside of the country. This information can help your doctor narrow down the possible cause of your symptoms.
Many conditions can cause diarrhea. If you don't have other symptoms of dysentery, your doctor will order diagnostic testing to determine which bacteria are present. This includes a blood test and a lab test of a stool sample.
Your doctor may also perform addition testing to decide whether an antibiotic will help.
Mild shigellosis is usually treated just with rest and plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medication, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), can help relieve cramps and diarrhea. You should avoid drugs that slow down the intestines, such as loperamide (Imodium) or atropine-diphenoxylate (Lomotil), which can make the condition worse.
Severe shigellosis can be treated with antibiotics, but the bacteria that causes it are often resistant. If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic and you don't see improvement after a couple of days, let the doctor know. Your strain of Shigella bacteria may be resistant, and your doctor may need to adjust your treatment plan.
Amebic dysentery is treated with metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax). These drugs kill the parasites. In some cases, a follow-up drug is given to make sure all the parasites are gone.
In severe cases, your doctor may recommend an intravenous (IV) drip to replace fluids and prevent dehydration.
In some cases, dysentery can lead to complications. These include:
Postinfectious arthritis: This affects about 2 percent of people who get a particular strain of the Shigella bacteria called S. Flexneri. These people can develop joint pain, eye irritation, and painful urination. Postinfectious arthritis can last for months or years.
Blood stream infections: These are rare and most likely to affect people with weak immune systems, such as people with HIV or cancer.
Seizures: Sometimes young children can have generalized seizures. It isn't clear why this happens. This complication generally resolves without treatment.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS): One type of Shigella bacteria, S. Dysenteriae, can sometimes cause HUS by making a toxin that destroys red blood cells.
In rare cases, amebic dysentery can result in liver abscess or parasites spreading to the lungs or brain.
Shigellosis usually goes away within a week or so and doesn't require prescription medications. If you have shigellosis, avoid preparing food for other people and don't go swimming. People who have shigellosis and work with children, in food preparation, or in healthcare should stay home until the diarrhea has stopped. If you or a partner has shigellosis, avoid having sex until the diarrhea has stopped.
Most people with amebic dysentery are sick for anywhere from a few days to several weeks. If you suspect amebic dysentery, it's important to get immediate medical attention. Your doctor must prescribe medication to get rid of the parasite that causes this type of dysentery.
Shigellosis can be prevented through good sanitation practices, such as:
The best way to prevent amebic dysentery is to be careful about what you eat and drink while visiting an area where it's common. When travelling to these areas, you should avoid:
Safe sources of water include:
So You Think You Have A Yeast Infection. Now What?
Roughly 75 percent of women will deal with the burning, itching and discomfort associated with a yeast infection at least once in their lifetimes, and almost half will more than once.
But here's the twist: Most people who think they have a yeast infection actually don't have one.
"There's some fairly simple things that can be done that most people don't bother to do, starting with an accurate diagnosis," said Dr. Paul Nyirjesy, co-director of the Jefferson Vulvovaginal Health Center in Philadelphia. Here's what to know.
What is a yeast infection?The vagina is a delicate ecosystem of microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast, said Dr. Andrew Rubenstein, director of the obstetrics and gynecology department at NYU Langone Health. When that balance is disrupted, it can lay the groundwork for the growth of yeast — typically of a species called Candida albicans, though there are others.
Symptoms include "itching, burning, irritation, swelling, redness, and with these symptoms, women would also have painful intercourse," said Dr. Jack Sobel, a former dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine whose research focuses on infections of the female genital tract.
Women might also notice abnormal discharge, but more often than not that's an indication of a different issue, Dr. Nyirjesy said. "Normal discharge fluctuates a lot," he explained. "And actually, the infection that causes abnormal discharge much more commonly than yeast infections is bacterial vaginosis, which is an infection that most women have never even heard of."
What can set off an infection?A variety of triggers can disrupt the vaginal environment.
Antibiotics are one of the most common, Dr. Nyirjesy said, because they can kill the good bacteria that help keep yeast under control. Diabetes and treatments for diabetes, like a class of drugs called gliflozins, are also associated with an increased susceptibility to yeast infections.
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