Home Remedies for Yeast Infection

Before we look at any remedy for yeast infections, it's important that you understand more about yeast infection causes. Like most things, much fear and discomfort can be alleviated by simply taking the time to know your situation better.

Yeast infection is primarily a women's issue. Men can get it but that is almost always the result of sexual activity with an infected woman. According to medical statistics, between 70% - 80% of yeast infections are caused by "candida albicans", which is a type of yeast. This strain of yeast, as well as others naturally crop up in a woman's vagina, in very small amounts. Normally, candida albicans is kept in check by a bacterium called lactobacillus acidophilus, which naturally arises in the woman's vagina. A yeast infection occurs when there is an imbalance in the natural proportion of these organisms in the body.

This natural imbalance can be caused by a variety of factors including:

• The use of a broad-spectrum of antibiotics, steroids and certain birth control pills that tend to destroy the lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy and prior to menstruation
• Frequently exposure to semen which affects the acidic balance in the vagina
• Products used to keep the vagina clean may have ingredients that are harsh enough to adversely affect that body's natural balance
• Wearing tight clothing that does not give that area enough room to breathe can contribute to the infection

There are other causes in addition to the above but those are the most common ones. The important thing is to be aware of the most common causes so that preventative measures can be taken to prevent the infection and also reoccurrences.

While some women rely on quick-fix medications, the fact is that "home remedies" can often have a longer lasting effect, with the added bonus of not having as many side effects.

Here is a list of some of the home remedies that have been proven successful for prevention of yeast infections.

• Occasional (once a day) application of apple cider vinegar in the areas prone to this infection. Garlic can be added to alleviate the itchy feeling and water can be used to dilute the vinegar concentration
• Application of curds or yogurt is a home remedy that has proven successful in many cases. A tampon can be soaked in curds and place in the infected region for at least an hour. What happens is that the healthy bacteria from the curds will replace the unhealthy yeast bacteria. This procedure can be used 2 or 3 times a day for best results.
• Buttermilk - drinking 2 or 3 glasses of buttermilk a day, whether infected or not can be helpful. This also introduces curds to the body and helps fight off the possibility of yeast infection.
• Finally, a mixture of olive leaf extract and grapefruit seed extract added to a glass of water can help prevent yeast infection in many women.

It is important to keep in mind that none of these remedies are guaranteed to work. They are simply natural ways to restore the body to the balance needed to fight off the infection on its own. You should always consult your doctor before trying to treat a yeast infection on your own as there are simply too many variables involved to properly diagnose and treat this problem. And the symptoms of yeast infection can also point to more serious conditions that cannot be properly treated with home remedies. Always get proper medical advice!

Here is a guide to natural home remedies for yeast infection that gives you more details on treating this affliction yourself.