How to Rid Your Body of Too Much Yeast
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We're just going to state the obvious: Yeast infections are pretty terrible.
While it's completely normal for your vagina to harbor some bacteria and yeast, certain factors can cause a fungus called Candida to grow out of control. This results in itching, burning, swelling, pain when you pee, and thick cottage cheese-like discharge—the telltale signs of a yeast infection. So it makes sense, then, that you'd want to do everything you can to get rid of one ASAP.
While many women simply head to the drugstore for an over-the-counter yeast infection treatment, others prefer to try more natural remedies, such as certain supplements or essential oils—but is that always a good idea? And do they really work?
There's a lot of information out there about other supposed yeast infection treatments, so we got doctors to weigh in on them, the claims behind them, and how legit they actually are. Follow these expert tips to get rid of a yeast infection for good.
The claim: Over-the-counter yeast infection medications are a good option.
Monistat 7-Day Vaginal Antifungal Cream
Is it legit? Yes. This is usually the first line of defense for women and "most women find this very helpful," explains Jennifer Wider, MD, who specializes in women's health. These antifungal medications are available as creams, ointments, tablets, and suppositories, and are usually inserted into your vagina daily over a set period of time.
Try it: Go to your local drugstore and pick out the most appealing one to you. "Many women find success with either one-, three-, or seven-day treatments," Dr. Wider says.
The claim: Oral antifungal medications can clear up stubborn yeast infections.
Is it legit? Definitely. Fluconazole (brand name: Diflucan) is an oral antifungal medication used to stop the growth of yeast, explains Dr. Wider. "It's often used if over-the-counter creams don't work, or for people with recurring infection," she says. "It's a pill that has a very good success rate."
Try it: If you have a yeast infection that won't quit, talk to your doctor about going on fluconazole. Two 150-milligram pills taken three days apart "is a common treatment" for a yeast infection, says Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn in Santa Monica and author of She-ology. For milder infections, your doctor may recommend one 150-milligram dose, but "for severe or chronic infections, treatment regimens using fluconazole can be taken daily or weekly for six months," she says.
❗If you have a yeast infection that won't quit, talk to your doctor. He or she will be able to determine whether it is yeast at all, and then prescribe the most effective medication.
The claim: Boric acid supplements are a good alternative to yeast infection creams.
Is it legit? Yes, although this is a pretty outdated treatment. "Vaginal boric acid capsules have been used for decades in combatting chronic yeast infections," Dr. Ross says, thanks to its antifungal properties. One review published in the Journal of Women's Health found that boric acid supplements were safe and effective in curing anywhere from 40 to 100 percent of vaginal yeast infections, which is a pretty big range. "This is not usually a first line treatment of health care providers," Dr. Wider stresses.
Try it: You can generally buy these online or at your local pharmacy. Like OTC vaginal yeast infection medications, you simply insert them vaginally, often for 14 days in a row, Dr. Ross says. This "has been an effective alternative to traditional medication," she adds. However, it's worth pointing out that these suppositories can irritate your skin.
The claim: Switching underwear can help prevent a yeast infection.
Hanes Women's 6-Pack Cotton Sporty Bikini
Is it legit? Sure. "Wearing breathable underwear has always been recommended in preventing yeast infections," Dr. Ross says. "Any type of clothing, including bathing suits or exercise clothing, for extended periods of time can trap unwanted bacteria, chemicals, and sweat, disrupting the pH balance of the vagina and leading to a yeast infection." Here's the thing: This won't cure a yeast infection—it may just help lower the odds you'll develop one in the first place.
Try it: If you've had a yeast infection and would rather never have one ever again, try switching to 100 percent cotton underwear, recommends Dr Wider. Make sure to also change your underwear soon after you work out. Yeast love warm, moist environments, so changing your underwear early lowers the odds of it growing and thriving down there.
The claim: Using a different type of birth control can prevent future yeast infections.
Is it legit? "Changing your birth control pill can affect your hormonal balance in your body, including your vagina," Dr. Ross says. "This disruption may cause a yeast infection." But again—simply trying a new birth control won't cure an already existing infection.
Try it: If you're having recurrent yeast infections and you're on hormonal birth control, talk to your doctor. They "may try to change the type of birth control to see if that helps," Dr. Wider says. If you need to change your hormonal birth control for whatever reason and you're prone to yeast infections, your doctor may recommend a preventative round of fluconazole just to be safe, Dr. Ross says.
The claim: Applying probiotic-packed yogurt to your vagina can help clear up a yeast infection.
Is it legit? Not completely. "Using [probiotics] to treat a yeast infection is not always effective," Dr. Ross says. The lactobacillus acidophilus cultures in yogurt are thought to be an effective way of removing the excessive yeast built up in the vagina. "Medical studies have found using yogurt to treat yeast is more effective than a placebo," she adds.
One small study published in the Global Journal of Health Science found that women who inserted a mixture of yogurt and honey into their vaginas when they had a yeast infection had some positive results. However, actually eating yogurt may be a more helpful way of preventing yeast infections, Dr. Wider says.
Try it: You're probably going to get better and more consistent results with an OTC medication. Talk to your doctor before you try to put anything in your vagina that really shouldn't be there.
The claim: Soaking a tampon in tea tree oil and wearing it can help fight a yeast infection.
Is it legit? "Tea tree oil has been used for hundreds of years in treating many medical conditions, including acne and toenail fungus," Dr. Ross says. "It's best used on the skin or topically." However, studies are pretty inconsistent on whether this actually works to treat a vaginal yeast infection, she points out.
Try it: It's best to take a pass on this one. "Many women have had good results, but it can cause stinging, burning, and irritation as a side effect," Dr. Wider says. And really, is that a risk you want to take with your vagina when there are more proven remedies out there? Check out these 15 genius uses for tea tree oil instead.
Korin Miller Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men's Health, Women's Health, Self, Glamour, and more.
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How to Rid Your Body of Too Much Yeast
Source: https://www.prevention.com/health/a20510840/yeast-infection-treatments/