Vaginal yeast infection is caused by a fungus Candida albicans that normally occurs in and around the vagina but whose growth is suppressed by the immune system of the body and protective bacteria that occur naturally in the vagina. From time to time however, the fungus colonies grow when the bodys immune system is suppressed or the intake of antibiotics that reduce the number of protective bacteria in the vagina. The result is inflammation of the vagina accompanied with itching and a vaginal discharge
Vaginal yeast infection treatments that vary with ones preferences, the underlying cause of the infection and the severity of the infection .Due to the infection being quite common(It occurs to at least 75% of women at least once in their lives)various treatments are available for it and are quite inexpensive .The most common is the use of topical creams, lotions and powders that are applied directly to the vagina to ease the itching ,kill the fungi and reduce inflammation. Topical Vaginal yeast infection treatments include:
Miconazole. It is a common antifungal used to also treat athletes foot and ringworm and is quite effective and cheap.
Clotrimazole.It is another popular inexpensive antifungal that is popularly sold over the counter as Canesten .It is the one antifungal that is never out of stock online!
These two drugs work by destroying the cell membrane of the fungal cells, inhibiting their growth .They are often combined with steroids and anti-inflammatory components to reduce inflammation and ease the pain. Other topical anti-fungals are; Butoconazole and Tioconazole. Use of the topical creams /lotions usually lasts a week.
There is an oral Vaginal Yeast infection regimen for those infections t as a result of a suppressed immune system like those on HIV ARV treatment .Trican(Fluconazole) is usually recommended in such cases.
When using drugs and topical creams, if the condition lasts for more than two weeks or infection keeps recurring, the vaginal yeast infection may be an underlying symptom of something else and a thorough medical check-up is advised.
However, Vaginal Yeast infection treatments need not be all about medical drugs. One can opt for natural remedies to cure the infection.
Oil of Oregano .This is a herb that contains Carvacrol. Although widely used as an anti-bacterial .It has had positive reviews in the use as a vaginal yeast infection treatment remedy .A few drops into the vaginal canal a day will relieve the symptoms.
Garlic. This is by far the most popular and most effective natural remedy for the treatment of vaginal yeast infection. Tie a garlic clove to a sting and insert it into the vagina and leave it for a few hours. Repeat this for a week and the infection will be gone.
Plain yoghurt. Yoghurt relieves the itching and yoghurt introduces beneficial bacteria and thus restores the bacterial balance in the vagina and suppresses fungal growth.
With all these vaginal yeast infection treatments, prevention is better than cure. Avoid harsh soaps, wear loose fitting cotton underwear since cotton absorbs moisture in which the yeast thrives and avoid too much douching as it interferes with the bacterial balance in the vagina.
