Growing concerns over the overuse of prescription medications have lead some people to use them as an absolute last resort. Women who suffer from yeast infections are no exception and now are in ever greater numbers searching for home remedies for vaginal yeast infections. Fortunately, there are many of these out there that are known to be fairly effective.
Of course, it only makes sense that taking steps to avoid the problem in the first place is the most effect home remedy of all. While not all of them can be avoided, some of them can be. It is important to realize how the infections start, so that you can be better prepared to avoid activities that could increase your risk, and also recognize unavoidable circumstances so that you can be prepared to immediately deal with the infection should you get on.
It is the overgrowth of certain healthy bacteria that causes the infection. The overgrowth is caused by an imbalance within the body. Sometimes this is caused by things beyond our control, like a shift in hormones from pregnancy. Other times, it is within our control, like maintaining a healthy diet. Including yogurt as a part of your normal diet can go a long way in prevention as it contains live bacteria that will keep other bacteria in check.
There are other aspects of your lifestyle that can also have an effect. Do you go swimming a lot? When you are done, making sure to change and dry off as soon as possible will help you to avoid a yeast infection. Wearing the wet suit longer than you need only keeps everything warm and moist, which happen to be the perfect conditions for an overgrowth of the bacteria that cause the infection.
You choices concerning the contraception that you use can also have a bearing on the matter. There is usually an increase in yeast infections among women who take oral contraceptives. The exact relationship between the two is unclear, but the correlation does exist. If you know you are already prone to these infections, then it is wise to bear this information in mind when making decisions about your birth control.
Sometimes in spite of all of the precautions and preventive measures that women take, they end up with an infection anyway. When that happens it is possible to treat it at home. For example, by increasing the amount of cranberry juice that you drink can help to clear the problem up. It has been shown that this juice has an effect on vaginal secretions, which could in fact change conditions enough to bring the growth of the yeast to a halt.
Yogurt is a good friend to have. Always keep some stocked in your refrigerator. During an infection increase your yogurt intake to try and neutralize the growth of the yeast. It can also have a potent effect if you use it vaginally in small amounts. You can also mix it with water to create your own douche. All of these are known to treat yeast infections.
These are just a few examples the many home remedies for vaginal yeast infections that are known to be effective. For others you can consult with someone more knowledgeable about natural medicine. Of course, if yeast infections are a reoccurring problem, or if you are not entirely sure about whether or not you have one, you should consult with your health care provider before doing anything on your own.
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