I'm not positive if I have a yeast infection but thats what my conclusion is because of the symptoms; swelling, itching/burning, and discharge with a bad smell. I recently had unprotected sex so I'm not sure if this is right or not. What I wanna know is how to get rid of it without going to the doctor because i'd rather not have my parents find out about this. I also want to know how you get yeast infections? How to treat yeast infection at home?
Yeast infections are very very common even among women who don't have sex... So if these techniques don't work, it's ok to tell your mom so you can go to the doc.
The good bacteria in plain yogurt helps fight yeast and yogurt can be used both internally and externally. BUT, be sure you buy plain, unsweetened yogurt. Since sugar feeds yeast, this is a crucial point. STOP EATING SUGAR AND WHITE CARBS FOR NOW. You can also make your own yogurt using a yogurt starter. I have done this myself and it is simple and the results are quite good. The advantage is that you can use other types of milk, such as soy or almond. While I made mine directly on the stovetop, you can also purchase a yogurt maker, if you want to take the thinking out of the process. Whether purchased or homemade, yogurt is a great thing to eat before meals because it provides "good bacteria" for your stomach to aid in digestion.
For a topical treatment, you can also dip a tampon in plain yogurt and insert it into your vagina or simply rub some on the outside. I have found, however, that leaving it on for a prolonged period tends to have the opposite effect. It seems that once it has done its job, it is best to wipe it off or you will feel itchier due to the moisture.
Garlic
Garlic is a big enemy of yeast! This is one of the most effective home remedies I have found for instant relief. Inserting one garlic tab (such as Shaklee's Garlic Tabs) or a garlic clove into the vagina every few hours or as needed provides soothing relief. If you use garlic tabs, be sure the ingredients are natural and pure. I highly recommend the Shaklee garlic tabs. They are what I have always used with great results.
Of course, garlic can be taken internally, as well. Again, the Shaklee garlic tabs work great. I have also used Kyolic garlic tabs and liquid in the past with good results. Or, if you don't mind the smell, you can press a whole garlic clove and drink it down quickly with water. I have found this to be very effective. Do it as often as necessary.
Apple-cider vinegar
Apple-cider vinegar has many health benefits (including aiding in weight loss) and can be used both internally and externally, as well. However, it is very strong, so it is not recommended that you apply it directly on the skin. It will kill the yeast, but it will burn like nothing you've ever felt! The best external application is to add about a cup of it into your bathwater and take a nice hot bath. This will feel very relaxing and soothing and will help temporarily. I don't find it as effective long-term, however, as the garlic suppositories. They provide full-day relief.
The type of vinegar I recommend is Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, with the Mother. It is important that it have the mother, as this is more natural and less processed. Never use plain, white vinegar! This actually feeds the yeast instead of killing it.
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a home remedy for many ailments.
Water
In my opinion, this is one of the world's most powerful, secret remedies for any illness! I strongly believe that if we all drank the amount of water our bodies need, we would see a great reduction in all types of sicknesses.
Most doctors say that we should drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water daily, but many people need even more than that. I have found that simply drinking enough water greatly reduces my likelihood for getting a yeast infection. Because I am drinking more water, and subsequently urinating more frequently, my body is able to flush out the sugars that feed the yeast.
Be sure to drink water that is pure and free from toxins. It is best to purchase some type of water filtration system, such as one made by Shaklee. Other brands that are good are the Brita and PUR brands. Be sure that regardless of what system you purchase, you do your research first to be sure that it will be effective in its performance.
If you do only one thing, drink more water. It's easy, accessable, natural, and has no side effects!
See our article on detoxing your body with a water detox.
Oil of Oregano
This is an amazing herb! It is very potent against yeast. Take it internally daily, according to directions. Be sure, also, that the type of oil you choose has a high carvacrol content, as this is the active ingredient. I recommend Oreganol Super Strength P73.
Beneficial bacteria supplement
A healthy body contains trillions of microoragnisms, most of which reside in the colon. Their main function is to provide balance for less-desirable organisms (such as yeast). I use Shaklee Optiflora to help maintain these probiotics and prebiotics in my intestines. I have used other products in the past, but have not found that their level of quality matched this product's. Other products can only gaurantee a certain amount of organisms at manufacture. However, Shaklee gaurantees that the bacteria will be alive when you ingest it and be delivered to the intestines. So, at this point, I can only suggest their product.
Solutions-4-You
This is a botanical, non-toxic multi-purpose solution that can be sprayed directly onto the skin. It is extremely soothing on a yeast infection and is effective at killing yeast. I use it straight from the bottle, without diluting it. I find it works best that way, but please be aware that this is not how the company recommends using it. It can be purchased at this site:
Here are some things that you should try to avoid when fighting a yeast infection:
Taking birth control pills - Birth control pills weaken the immune system, making you succeptable to yeast.
Taking antibiotics - Antibiotics also weaken the immune system.
Douching - Douching can upset the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina.
Feminine deodorants - These can be very irritating to anyone, especially those with yeast infections.
Non-cotton underwear - Any underwear made of man-made fibers is not breathable, as cotton is. They trap moisture and heat, creating a perfect environment for yeast.
Clothing that is tight in the crotch - Tight clothing also creates a warm environment for yeast to grow.
Sitting in a wet bathing suit for a prolonged period - This creates not only a warm environment, but a moist one, as well. Perfect for yeast growth!
Pantyhose - Tight, man-made fiber that also allows yeast to flourish.
Foods that feed yeast - Avoid sugar, yeast, refined foods (such as white flour). See our list of food to eat and avoid when you have candida.
But sometimes, you can be like me and have no idea why your getting yeast infections. I had constant yeast infections for 2 years!!! So I know quite a bit about them. Try some of these things.
Also, when you get out of the shower stand in front of a fan or blow dryer and blow that area dry. Moister causes yeast.
***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed
The good bacteria in plain yogurt helps fight yeast and yogurt can be used both internally and externally. BUT, be sure you buy plain, unsweetened yogurt. Since sugar feeds yeast, this is a crucial point. STOP EATING SUGAR AND WHITE CARBS FOR NOW. You can also make your own yogurt using a yogurt starter. I have done this myself and it is simple and the results are quite good. The advantage is that you can use other types of milk, such as soy or almond. While I made mine directly on the stovetop, you can also purchase a yogurt maker, if you want to take the thinking out of the process. Whether purchased or homemade, yogurt is a great thing to eat before meals because it provides "good bacteria" for your stomach to aid in digestion.
For a topical treatment, you can also dip a tampon in plain yogurt and insert it into your vagina or simply rub some on the outside. I have found, however, that leaving it on for a prolonged period tends to have the opposite effect. It seems that once it has done its job, it is best to wipe it off or you will feel itchier due to the moisture.
Garlic
Garlic is a big enemy of yeast! This is one of the most effective home remedies I have found for instant relief. Inserting one garlic tab (such as Shaklee's Garlic Tabs) or a garlic clove into the vagina every few hours or as needed provides soothing relief. If you use garlic tabs, be sure the ingredients are natural and pure. I highly recommend the Shaklee garlic tabs. They are what I have always used with great results.
Of course, garlic can be taken internally, as well. Again, the Shaklee garlic tabs work great. I have also used Kyolic garlic tabs and liquid in the past with good results. Or, if you don't mind the smell, you can press a whole garlic clove and drink it down quickly with water. I have found this to be very effective. Do it as often as necessary.
Apple-cider vinegar
Apple-cider vinegar has many health benefits (including aiding in weight loss) and can be used both internally and externally, as well. However, it is very strong, so it is not recommended that you apply it directly on the skin. It will kill the yeast, but it will burn like nothing you've ever felt! The best external application is to add about a cup of it into your bathwater and take a nice hot bath. This will feel very relaxing and soothing and will help temporarily. I don't find it as effective long-term, however, as the garlic suppositories. They provide full-day relief.
The type of vinegar I recommend is Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, with the Mother. It is important that it have the mother, as this is more natural and less processed. Never use plain, white vinegar! This actually feeds the yeast instead of killing it.
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a home remedy for many ailments.
Water
In my opinion, this is one of the world's most powerful, secret remedies for any illness! I strongly believe that if we all drank the amount of water our bodies need, we would see a great reduction in all types of sicknesses.
Most doctors say that we should drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water daily, but many people need even more than that. I have found that simply drinking enough water greatly reduces my likelihood for getting a yeast infection. Because I am drinking more water, and subsequently urinating more frequently, my body is able to flush out the sugars that feed the yeast.
Be sure to drink water that is pure and free from toxins. It is best to purchase some type of water filtration system, such as one made by Shaklee. Other brands that are good are the Brita and PUR brands. Be sure that regardless of what system you purchase, you do your research first to be sure that it will be effective in its performance.
If you do only one thing, drink more water. It's easy, accessable, natural, and has no side effects!
See our article on detoxing your body with a water detox.
Oil of Oregano
This is an amazing herb! It is very potent against yeast. Take it internally daily, according to directions. Be sure, also, that the type of oil you choose has a high carvacrol content, as this is the active ingredient. I recommend Oreganol Super Strength P73.
Beneficial bacteria supplement
A healthy body contains trillions of microoragnisms, most of which reside in the colon. Their main function is to provide balance for less-desirable organisms (such as yeast). I use Shaklee Optiflora to help maintain these probiotics and prebiotics in my intestines. I have used other products in the past, but have not found that their level of quality matched this product's. Other products can only gaurantee a certain amount of organisms at manufacture. However, Shaklee gaurantees that the bacteria will be alive when you ingest it and be delivered to the intestines. So, at this point, I can only suggest their product.
Solutions-4-You
This is a botanical, non-toxic multi-purpose solution that can be sprayed directly onto the skin. It is extremely soothing on a yeast infection and is effective at killing yeast. I use it straight from the bottle, without diluting it. I find it works best that way, but please be aware that this is not how the company recommends using it. It can be purchased at this site:
Here are some things that you should try to avoid when fighting a yeast infection:
Taking birth control pills - Birth control pills weaken the immune system, making you succeptable to yeast.
Taking antibiotics - Antibiotics also weaken the immune system.
Douching - Douching can upset the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina.
Feminine deodorants - These can be very irritating to anyone, especially those with yeast infections.
Non-cotton underwear - Any underwear made of man-made fibers is not breathable, as cotton is. They trap moisture and heat, creating a perfect environment for yeast.
Clothing that is tight in the crotch - Tight clothing also creates a warm environment for yeast to grow.
Sitting in a wet bathing suit for a prolonged period - This creates not only a warm environment, but a moist one, as well. Perfect for yeast growth!
Pantyhose - Tight, man-made fiber that also allows yeast to flourish.
Foods that feed yeast - Avoid sugar, yeast, refined foods (such as white flour). See our list of food to eat and avoid when you have candida.
But sometimes, you can be like me and have no idea why your getting yeast infections. I had constant yeast infections for 2 years!!! So I know quite a bit about them. Try some of these things.
Also, when you get out of the shower stand in front of a fan or blow dryer and blow that area dry. Moister causes yeast.
***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed
This was so helpful to me, and I think I want to try drinking more water. I recently found out Imhad yeast, I'm a virgin. This topic and all the solutions you found and stated was very helpful, and I'm so greatful to your knowledge!