There are actually three types of vaginal infections that may appear to be a yeast infection due to similar symptoms, which makes seeing your health care provider especially important.
Bacterial vaginosis (the most common) happens when bacteria replace healthy organisms in the vagina. Candidiasis is a true “yeast infection” that is, an overgrowth of a strain of yeast called Candida albicans. Trichomoniasis is another type of infection and is sexually transmitted.
Treatment: While bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis often require prescription medications, scientific evidence has shown that boric acid inhibits the growth of Candida albicans. Berbarine, tea tree oil, neem oil and goldenseal are also good natural remedies.Talk to your health care provider about the best way to proceed with your treatment.
The holistic nutritionist says: “Food plays a role in treating yeast infections and preventing them. A diet rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates can make you more susceptible because yeast feeds on sugar in the body. Excess weight will also increase your predisposition to yeast infections, because extra fat can lead to insulin resistance, which keeps more sugar circulating in the body”.
Treatment: If a yeast infection strikes, reach for yogurt with live active cultures or a probiotic supplement to help repopulate your system with healthy bacteria. It’s also smart to scale back on portions when you’re fighting a yeast infection. If your body is spending too much time trying to digest large amounts of food, it’ll have less energy to spend on other important functions–like working to restore the optimal vaginal pH balance.
The homeopath says: “Homeopathy is based on the notion that like cures like, so the first-line therapy for curing yeast infections is a diluted form of Candida albicans, a key ingredient in many homeopathic yeast tablets and suppositories”.
Treatment: Try Candida albicans first, look for a 30C remedy, and take two to four pellets under your tongue four times a day for three days or until your symptoms improve. If that doesn’t provide relief, choose among the following homeopathic remedies to find the one that most closely matches your symptoms:
Kreosotum is good for discharge that’s irritating and has a bad odour, with lots of pain during and after urination; pulsatilla works for cases with less pain and bland discharge; sepia is a good choice when there is a yellowish discharge; borax is best for cases in which there is a rash and discharge is sticky and runny.