1. Itching and Irritation

This symptom is the most commonly reported one by female sufferers. The vagina is itchy and sore and feels uncomfortable. Sometimes there is a burning feeling when you urinate as the urine passes over the irritated red swollen skin. Many women find this can affect them so adversely that they do not want to go out amongst other people.

2. Discharge

Many women report an unusual discharge that varies in color from clear to white to sometimes even a yellowy tint to it. Its consistency also varies but is usually thick but lumpy like cottage cheese. It sometimes has an odor that is yeasty like bread or beer.

3. Pain during sex

If you are sexually active and you have a yeast infection, first of all make sure you use a condom as it can be passed on during sex, which means if your partner gets it, even if you treat yourself, if he doesn’t, they can pass it back to you. However some women find they are unable to have sex when they have an infection because it is painful. This is because the yeast can make the mucous membrane dry and sexual activity causes irritation.

4. Depression

Quite often this is a symptom of having a yeast infection as sufferers are in discomfort and pain for as long as they leave it untreated which can cause women to become depressed. Particularly if the infection keeps returning and treatments are ineffective.

Chronic yeast infection sufferers can become depressed and stuck in the medicated treatment cycle. The drug treats the symptoms only, so they find the yeast infection reoccurs and they have to purchase it again and so on. This is a problem for two reasons, first of all the root of the problem remains untreated and secondly the cycle will keep getting worse because the infection becomes resistant to treatment so each time you use it its effectiveness on the symptoms is not quite as good.
Using antibiotics is not a good idea because over use of these can actually cause a yeast infection! They kill the good bacteria that fight the yeast and keep the Candida fungus under control. When that control goes, the fungus grows and becomes the yeast infection.

Many women report that home remedies are effective and long lasting, so throw away the medications and give some of these a try.
Pour honey on the affected region and leave for twenty minutes.
Dip a tampon in curds or live yogurt and insert it for at least an hour. Make sure the yogurt is sugar free.
Tea tree oil, an essential oil, diluted and applied to the vagina topically works.
Supplements like probiotics help replace the good bacteria you need.
Garlic wrapped in gauze and inserted is another.
Finally soak in an apple cider vinegar bath for another option.

I would not recommend douching as the vagina is self cleaning and most doctors are against douching now as it upsets the vagina’s balance. In fact regular douching can cause a yeast infection. Also be careful with boric acid as too much is toxic. Do not use it for a long time, do not take it orally and make sure it doesn’t touch any cuts or open wounds. Also do not use if you are pregnant are a child.

The following options have been used by women and have worked for them.

Firstly look at how you clean the area and make sure you are doing it properly. Wipe front to back so bacteria from the anus is not brought forward. Clean the vagina regularly particularly when menstruating but avoid douches as the vagina does have self cleaning abilities. Check that your underwear is made of cotton as it allows air in and lets it breathe down there, as well as keeping it dry.

That links to the next tip which is to make sure you take off wet clothing as soon as you can. Sitting around in a damp swimsuit is a very poor choice as the yeast thrives in warm and wet environments. For this reason also avoid very tight clothing.

To treat the infection you can use yogurt. Use a plain, live yogurt that has good bacteria in it. No added sugar because that feeds the infection and helps the yeast grow. Dip a tampon in it and insert it and the good bacteria will fight the yeast. Do this twice daily.

Tea tree oil can also be used on the vagina safely. Dilute the oil in some water and apply it directly, which will help relieve symptoms too.

There is no need to be stuck in a yeast infection cycle. Take action today.

Garlic is known to have many healing properties and these also work on yeast infections. It has anti fungal aspects that fight the infection. Peel a clove and rub it over the infected area, leave overnight then wash in the morning with warm water and dry carefully. Alternatively wrap a peeled clove and insert it. Of course eating plenty in your diet helps too. Smelly but it works, I promise!

Yogurt is wonderful because it soothes the symptoms as it takes care of them. Use a plain bio yogurt (with live bacteria) apply it directly and leave for a couple of hours then wash with warm water and dry by patting. Alternatively you can dip a tampon in it and insert it into the vagina. Again this can be eaten as well. Very importantly avoid yogurts with added sugar as this nourishes the yeast.

Aloe vera, often used for burning symptoms, also soothes the itching and swelling. Using your fingers smear it over the affected area.

Depending on how bad your yeast infection is depends on how well these treatments will work. The more severe your symptoms the less effective they will be and remember they are not a permanent solution.

Outlined below are seven cures that have been tested and proven to be fast acting.
1. Clean the area thoroughly using just water and then dry it very carefully. Do not use scented soaps or gels or any other products down there. This also means be careful what detergents you use for your underwear.
2. Tea tree oil has worked for many sufferers. Diluted in water and then used directly on the infection it starts working instantly. A few drops on a tampon is also another way to apply it.
3. Cranberry juice is not just a refreshing drink! It helps flush out bad organisms from your system and has yeast fighting properties.
4. Yogurt is the most popular and common cure. Eat it or dip a tampon in it and insert it. Not only gives you good bacteria to fight the yeast but soothes the itching and burning symptoms. Use plain yogurt no added fruit or sugar as sugar feeds the infection.
5. Garlic is another excellent cure. Eaten or peeled and wrapped in a cloth and inserted in the vagina. It has anti fungal properties that fight the fungus that causes the yeast infection.
6. Supplements such as probiotic pills to boost the good bacteria are also a good idea. Helps your immune system.
7. Another supplement is boric acid applied directly to the infected region.

Symptoms of male yeast infection include:

Sexual dysfunction – men suffer pain during sex or are completely unable to perform.
Pain – during sex and when urinating. There can also be a burning sensation and the itching can make the shaft become raw and painful.

Dry skin – that can also become flaky.

Discharge – white and thick from the tip of the penis. Sometimes there is also an unpleasant odor.

Digestive problems – indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, bad breath and so on.

Tiredness – feeling lethargic and no energy.

Mood Swings – depression.

Diet Changes – cravings for sweet foods like candy and cakes, refined carbs.

With such varied symptoms misdiagnosis is common, and with the amount of symptoms related to internal health it is important to treat there rather than just on the external part of the infection that shows.

Should you be showing any of these symptoms seek medical advice straight away for a proper exam and diagnosis. There are several treatment options you can choose from. Over the counter and prescripted medicines are fine though they do just offer temporary relief and come with unwanted side effects. They can also be expensive. Natural options are quite popular today as they are effective at treating symptoms while you work on making lifestyle changes to treat the core problem. They are also easy to use, cheap and do not have side effects to worry about.

Now do not go running to the fridge to pull out that last strawberry yogurt you have tucked back there. It is a certain kind of yogurt you are best advices to get. You are looking for plain yogurt yeast infection cure, that has acidophilus in it. No artificial flavors or colors and definitely no fruit or sugar. Sugar is a food for yeast, so you need to avoid it as much as you can. You want the good bacteria L.acidophilus because it fights the fungus and helps prevent it from growing and becoming a yeast infection.

There are two ways to take the yogurt yeast infection cure, the obvious method of eating it and then it can also be applied directly onto the infected area. If you are eating it, you need to consume about 8oz of plain probiotic yogurt a day. If you can manage two servings a day it will speed the whole process up.

The second option of applying it directly can be done in a few ways. Use fingers to spread over the infected area, dip a tampon in it and insert it into the vagina or water it down a little and put it in to a spray bottle and spray the area with the solution. Whichever one you choose, the yogurt not only fights the fungus but helps sooth those awful symptoms.

You do not have to choose between the two. Eat it and apply it for quicker results if you can stand that much yogurt in and on you each day! Be consistent every day and you will see just how effective yogurt is for yeast infections.

Environment
Candida like most fungi thrives in warm, damp and dark areas. To avoid giving it its ideal environment wear loose clothing, wear cotton as it allows the skin to breathe and when you can, avoid underwear altogether! You want to do whatever you can to get as much air as possible circulating in the infected area. Avoid pantyhose, synthetic materials, and tight clothing. Wash thoroughly but then dry thoroughly also after showers and swimming etc.

Diet
The things you consume have a vital role to play and are the leading cause if it is a poor diet. High consumption of sugar is a terrible idea as the yeast feeds on it. Processed foods, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are also poor choices. Cut these out of your diet and find some relaxation techniques to avoid stress and sleep well.

Immune systems
Antibiotics can weaken immune systems and are also bad because they kill good and bad bacteria, and it is the good bacteria in your body that regulates the fungus. Other things that weaken the immune system are drugs, stress and illnesses like HIV.

Diabetes
Diabetics are at a higher risk to reoccurring yeast infection because of their sugar levels. If you are not controlling your diabetes properly with a good diet and exercise, your sugar levels become too high. Again yeast feeds on sugar and so enjoys high sugar levels!

Birth Control Pills
Another well known cause of infections. This is due to the level of progestogen in some pills. Those that have higher levels cause more instances of reoccurring yeast infections in women.

Candida Albicans is not the only bacteria that has an almost symbiotic relationship with us, there are many all over our body that work for us as we provide a home and food for them. Working alongside the immune system to prevent yeast infections and keep us healthy.

To get more good bacteria in our bodies that work for us we can take probiotics, the more well known being Lact acid bacteria or LAB. This is the bacteria that helps keep the pH level in our bodies lower, which prevent yeast infection from growing as it prefers high pH. When the Candida do over grow they lead yeast infections that come with all kinds of uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms such as pain, itching, swelling and a rash.

Putting more probiotics into our systems means there are more good bacteria getting into our gut and intestines. They can attack any microbes there that are not healthy and kill them. It controls Candida Albicans not just by fighting them but also because both kinds of micro organisms feed on the same food. When the Candida Albicans have to compete for its food it is kept under control and can not have any excessive growth, therefore not becoming a yeast infection. The body maintains its balance.

To find these useful probiotics look for it added to products like yogurt and some other dairy foods. You can also look for it as a supplement in tablet or powder form from health stores and pharmacies.

How to cure a yeast infection:
1. Yogurt is thought of by many as the best natural treatment there is for yeast infections. Use the good bacteria kind and make sure it is sugar free as sugar feeds the fungus and lets it grow more. Eat it and apply it on the infected area. Buttermilk also works this way.
2. Another popular and effective method is with garlic. Garlic has antifungal properties and can be eaten or turned into a paste and rubbed onto the infection. There may be a an initial burning feeling but it will pass. It can also be used as a suppository – wrap a clove in some gauze and insert it for twenty minutes.
3. Honey spread directly onto the infection also works and then rinse after fifteen to twenty minutes.
4. A few drops of tea tree oil onto a tampon and then insert it up the vagina for a week twice daily. Like garlic it has antifungal properties.
5. Some vinegar mixed into bath water and then soak in it. It has antibacterial and anti fungal components.

Some lifestyle changes and how to cure a yeast infection.
1. Avoid synthetic clothing – cotton is best as it allows the skin to breathe.
2. Avoid tight clothing particularly underwear like pantyhose.
3. Keep the vagina clean and dry.
4. Avoid perfumed products for that area such as tampons, condoms, clothes detergent, body wash.

It may surprise you to know that two thirds of women who believe they have a yeast infection actually have something else, so you really have to make sure you know what you have before you start wasting money and using treatments that won’t work and could cause long term problems. If you have a bacterial infection and you use anti fungal treatments you can actually make your infection worse as it is essentially going untreated. Therefore even if you intend to use natural treatments it is advisable to visit your doctor first for a professional diagnosis, particularly if this is the first time you have experienced these symptoms.

For first time sufferers, there is no reason you cannot try an over the counter option. This does work for some people within a reasonably quick time and may be all that is needed. Two products out there are Monistat and Canestan which come in one, three and seven day courses. Which course you take is up to you; talk to your pharmacist they may have some good advice for you based on your own experience, though many women tend to advice getting the three or seven day course.

Though the prescripted yeast infection medicine and over the counter products work for some, they do not work for others, plus they are more expensive and come with their own side effects to deal with. For this reason more women are turning their backs on conventional treatments and looking at natural remedies. These usually involve changes in diet and lifestyle with a natural treatment for the symptoms such as garlic, yogurt or apple cider vinegar. Users of the natural treatments claim that these rather than medicated remedies get to the root of the problem, the cause of the infection, which means less chance of it reoccurring. Which ever method you choose, talk to people who have had experience and in particular talk to your doctor.

The fact is that many of those treatments are only created to deal with the symptoms, they aren’t meant to get rid of the root cause, the yeast spores. To deal with these you have to make changes yourself in your daily routines, lifestyle and diet. It is not as complicated as you may think.

If you have used over the counter treatments you may have found that the side effects can be almost as bad as the symptoms you are treating. But there is no need to despair, as yeast natural cure will save you, taking care of the symptoms with no nasty side effects and helping your body focus on the root problem. They are also cheaper! For people that have suffered yeast infections reoccurring for years this is good news I am sure.

The effective yeast natural cure is probably in your kitchen already. Yogurt, the kind with good bacteria in it, is a very popular home remedy. Garlic has antifungal properties that fights the fungus as does apple cider vinegar. They are very quick and effective at getting rid of your symptoms but have a smaller role to play in defeating the spores that will allow the infection to return.

Natural remedies mean you can treat the symptoms, which is all over the counter medications do, but at a lower cost and without side effects. Adopting lifestyle changes which you can find further advice on in another article, will finish off that yeast infection once and for ever more.

Think you might have a yeast infection? Compare your symptoms to those outlined below and by the end of this article you will know:

Symptoms that can be shown in a picture but do you want to see it?!
A very common sign of a yeast infection is a redness and a rash and can happen around the vulva as well as the vagina. Most intelligent people do not need a picture to know what redness looks like! There can also be a discharge of different consistencies for different women. Sometimes it is very thick, sometimes it is lumpy, sometimes it can be very runny. Its color tends to be clear , white or pale yellow though sometimes less often it can be brown.

Symptoms that cannot be shown in a picture.
Perhaps the most obvious and common symptom is the itching around the whole infected area. This is often accompanied by a burning sensation almost like the feeling of sunburn but in the genital area, specifically the vulva and vaginal cavity. Along with the outlined discharge there can be an odor of yeast; comparable to bread or beer. If the smell is more fishy it is more likely a bacterial infection. The yeast infection causes pain, not just from the itchiness but also felt when having sex and when going to the bathroom.

Cures
What is important to know is that there are treatments for yeast infections that are completely natural, that work on both the symptoms and the infection itself. Now that you are aware of what the common effects are take some time to research these natural remedies and decide which will work for you. Why waste time on looking at pictures when you can use that time to find out how to get rid of it?

This article describes most of the symptoms and even presents some yeast infection pictures. Compare this information to your present condition and self-diagnose yourself. However, when making a decision about your treatment you should always talk to a doctor.

The cause of Acidophilus yeast infections is the fungus Candida albicans, which is actually in around eighty per cent of humans. It resides mainly in the intestines, vagina or mouth because it loves to live in areas that are a little acidic and have a lot of sugar, are moist and mostly dark. That does not mean that everyone that has the fungi is going to get a yeast infection, its environment needs to change in its favor first.

There are a few ways Lactobacillus acidophilus and other probiotics are able to keep Candida under control. The main way is its food or the chemicals it consumes for energy. Since both probiotics and Candida feed on the same things i.e. sugars, it keeps the candida’s growth under control as it has to compete for its food. The good bacteria and the fungi are in balance.

As well as eating the same food acidophilus releases lactic acid to raise the pH of the area in which it is living. It does this because it likes to live where the pH is lower hence its name meaning acid lover. However Candida albicans are the opposite. They would rather an environment that was less acidic with a mild pH. So when there are plenty of good bacteria around they eat the fungi food and make it too acidic for the it to grow. Thus they are less likely to infest the region of the body in which they are residing because they are kept in a weakened state.

But why is yogurt effective?
Our bodies fight yeast infections with good bacteria. Our bodies have lots of micro organisms working together in balance but sometimes something happens to upset this like antibiotics, stress, even pregnancy. Candida albicans, some of the bacteria, can grow out of control, and these are the bacteria that cause yeast infections. There are some types of yogurt that contain probiotics or good bacteria called L. Acidophilus. Using this type of yogurt replaces any good bacteria we may have lost and helps fight the yeast. Not all yogurts have it though so look for probiotic, L. Acidophilus or live cultures in its ingredients.

Ingesting
The ideal amount of probiotic yogurt to eat a day is 8oz. Eat the plain kind, no fruit or sugar. This is because sugar is a food for the yeast infection. It eats it and then grows a lot quicker and spreads a lot more. If you do not like to eat it plain at least do not get the ones with sugar added, just fruit. An 8 oz. portion a day will mean your body gets enough L. Acidophilus to keep the Candida albicans under control and thus avoid getting yeast infections. For those people who do not eat yogurt there is an alternative. Visit your local health store and you will find it most likely sells capsules that contain this bacteria, to be taken once or twice daily.

Applying it
Remember to use totally plain yogurt particularly when inserting it. Although it is not a medical fact that applying yogurt onto the vagina actually cures yeast infections it does help with another similar infection called bacterial vaginosis. It also has soothing effects on the burning and itching symptoms.

The conclusion is: when you apply yogurt, yeast infections can vanish very fast if applied correctly. However, this here is not medical advice – it’s just a homeopathic treatment.

Yeast infections in infants usually happens because of a high sugar intake. Even if you think you are monitoring this commercial infant formulas and the supposedly ‘unsweetened’ fruit juices do in fact have a lot of sugar in them. Even freshly squeezed juice with a juicer has a lot of sugar; apple or orange juice in a regular glass can have five or more teaspoons!

Other foods to watch are various milks such as cow’s, soy, rice and goat’s. Sugar feeds the fungus; so if the child is eating too much it can encourage the existing fungi to grow. Let them drink water and then limit how often the child drinks these beverages. For babies that are still on milk, breast feeding is always encouraged, otherwise check labels and use formula that has no yeast or sugar.

If the child has a vaginal infection check that their underwear is nice and loose and that air is getting to the infection. The fungi are hard to wash out of underwear even with a machine and detergent. You can put the wet underwear in a microwave on high for five minutes which will zap any spores. Another way is to put the clothing out in direct sunlight for a good hour.

To help soothe the symptoms try giving sitz baths with Epsom salts or magnesium sulfate. This will help with the swelling and itching. If you are looking for an oral form to give your child try these in herbal juices; ginger, echinacea, calendula, goldenseal, and aloe Vera. Powdered forms that can be taken are buffered vitamin C and lactobacillus. Other homeopathic remedies are Cantheris and sulfur which can be taken 2 or 3 times a day.

If your child seems to suffer from a yeast infection repeatedly, despite following the above advice, there may be an underlying problem of diabetes or with their immune system. It would be wise to seek out the diagnosis of your child’s doctor.

In conclusion, when you want to discuss about a yeast infection, children cases should not be left out of the discussion; they are pretty frequent and should be treated seriously.

Wash
It is very important that the vaginal area is kept clean and dry. Having a good hygiene routine will make sure that the Candida fungus is kept under control. Do not use scented pads/tampons or any other scented item for the genital area. It is healthier for you to use natural products only and is also better for the environment.

Intercourse
Yeast infections are not VDs but the yeast spores can transfer from partner to partner. Make sure you use condoms or abstain until the infection has passed!

Antibiotics
Usually antibiotics are there to help us but in the case of yeast infections they should be avoided. Antibiotics actually mess up the balance of micro-organisms in your body by killing off good bacteria as well as the bad they are taken for. This leaves the door open for Candida fungus to grow and spread as the good bacteria are not there to stop it.

Food
In order to stop the yeast from thriving eat fresh foods i.e. Fruits and vegetables. Try to eat them separate to cooked foods as the mixture can ferment in your stomach. Bacteria growth increases with fermented products. This therefore includes alcohol. Also avoid sugars, starches and yeast products.
These four points when combined will help you live a healthy life free of yeast infections. Should you need an actual treatment for yeast infections because you already have one, you may wish to consider looking up some natural remedies. Most over the counter treatments have side effects and do not get to the root of the problem.

Of course now you have a decision to make, try natural remedies or take an even stronger anti fungal oral treatment. The side effects to the latter are that you will get an imbalance in your intestines chemically and bacterially. Your immune system can be drastically affected in a negative manner as the intestinal flora in your intestines are upset.

It is a common and concerning problem nowadays that people use medications when they do not need to; or doctors prescribe antibiotics when they are not needed, leading to infections and diseases building a resistance to them. This is what women are doing when they use a cream when it is not needed. The yeast becomes more drug resistant and so ointments no longer work. Trying to keep the area clean and free of the yeast by using treatments when there is no infection is not helping, it is back firing. Wash as you normally do, dry properly and remember the vagina is actually self cleaning.

Should you notice any symptoms of a yeast infection such as itching, burning, or an unpleasant odor make sure you go to see your physician to get a proper diagnosis, as yeast infections can present symptoms that are the same or similar to other illnesses. By using anti fungal treatments for a candida infection you don’t have, not only are you creating an infection, you are also leaving what you really have untreated. This could become serious.

In conclusion, over the counter yeast infection treatments may sometimes be effective but other times can do harm, so it’s best to avoid them and go for natural remedies.

The problem with antibiotics is that they kill bacteria. Great if you have a lot of bad bacteria, not so great for your bodys’ good bacteria. Antibiotics cannot tell the difference between the two types. So the good bacteria that are in our intestines that fight off things like yeast and fungus, are gone. Antibiotics for all their good at killing bacteria cannot differentiate between the good and bad bacteria, resulting in a destruction of the good bacteria normally present throughout our intestinal organs. The antibiotics which are fungal mycotoxins upset the balance between the yeast and the good bacteria in the digestive system.

Then fungi in the yeast lead to a yeast infection. The yeast beomes Candida a toxic fungal parasite.
The most over prescribed antibiotic that is said to be the one more to blame for increased yeast infections is Penicillin. However there are other drugs that also do a lot of damage to flora in the stomach, creating an environment the yeast grows and spreads in. These include antiflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen.

Due to their more regular hormonal fluctuations women tend to be more prone to yeast infections. Particularly those on birth control pills.

Diet has a big impact on whether you are open to yeast infections. Dairy and beef foods and drinks can lead to infections due to the antibiotics given to cattle to fatten them. Other foods to avoid would be grains like barely, rye, oats and wheat.

In the end, no matter what your yeast infection cause is, you have to know that there are many natural ways to deal with it; all you have to do is search for the necessary information and apply the needed treatments.

Pro biotic Yogurt
The yogurt should be sugar and fruit free as sugar is a food to the yeast. You can eat the yogurt which will give your body the good bacteria it needs to fight off the yeast infection. Also you can apply the yogurt directly to the infected area. Just put some in a spray bottle with a little water, shake it up and spray it on, or alternatively dip a tampon in the yogurt and insert it. Thus killing the yeast off at the root of the infection.

Garlic Cloves
This natural cure needs to be done every day and will see results in just one to two weeks. Garlic has so many healing properties and is perfectly safe for your unborn child. Slice some garlic from a clove and wrap it in some cheesecloth or gauze. Make sure the slices of garlic will not fall out by twisting it, then push it up into your vagina and leave it for at least 30-45 minutes.

Tea Tree Oil
Another natural treatment that can not have any adverse effects on you or the baby. Simply coat a tampon in some lubricant and then drip a few drops of the tea tree oil on top. Again insert it into the vagina for around 45 minutes for a week or two.

When it comes to yeast infection, pregnancy is a very favorable moment for it to erupt due to a weakened organism so you should increase your alert level.

As you can see there is relief for the pain and itching of yeast infections when pregnant without worrying about your little one. However do remember that this may not kill the root of the problem, the spores. So the infection may reoccur until you tackle those. But at least you have safe relief for the symptoms till you can get rid of it once and for all.