Treat a Yeast Infection With Yogurt

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a disruption in the normal flora, or bacteria, that normally reside there, allowing the pathogenic yeast cells, called Candida, to take hold. This disruption can be caused by several mechanisms. Commonly, taking antibiotics will cause a die-off of the normal healthy flora, called probiotics. So can stress, poor diet or hygiene practices, or a combination of several of these causes.

Symptoms of a yeast infection usually start with itching, and can progress to burning, pain, irritation, discharge, odd odors, and pain during urination or sex.

Fortunately, yeast infections are easy to treat with simple methods. The important thing to remember are that the beneficial bacteria that live in the human digestive and reproductive systems are the same bacteria that produce fermented foods like yogurt, which is created from culturing milk with these bacteria, such as those from the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium genus.

The time-honored treatment for yeast infections involves using yogurt as suppository or douche. Yogurt, usually allowed to warm to room temperature, is inserted through a funnel or with a tampon applicator into the reproductive tract and held there. Typically one to two ounces of yogurt is all that is needed. You can apply this dose several times a day, using a tampon to prevent leakage. Typically, you'll hold the yogurt inside for at least five to 10 minutes, or up to several hours. You may find that the yogurt is also very soothing and calming for the irritated tissues.

It's important to use only organic, plain yogurt. Don't use flavored or sweetened yogurts, as the sweeteners and flavors may be an additional irritant. In addition, the added sugar will feed the yeasts that you're trying to get rid of.

Equally important is to address the systemic aspect of the problem. Many people, women and men, have Candida yeast infections in their digestive tract or even systemically in the bloodstream. A wide array of disorders can be caused by Candida, such as thrush, bad breath, dandruff, dry skin, athlete's foot, fungal nail, and even fatigue, confusion and depression. The Candida survives because it has lots of food, typically from a diet high in refined sugar and flour.

To address the systemic Candida problem, it's critical to quit eating all refined sugar and flour for several weeks to several months, and to increase your intake of fresh vegetables and lean protein, while using some antifungal herbs, such as garlic and Pau D'Arco, a South American herb. Simultaneously, you'll need to replenish your beneficial bacterial colony in your digestive tract by eating lots of yogurt and other traditional, unpasteurized fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchee, and kefir. Keep in mind that most of the commercially available fermented foods, with the exception of yogurt, are usually pasteurized after fermentation, killing all the good bacteria and rendering them useless as a source of the probiotics you need. Health foods store and homemade products may be the most potent natural sources of beneficial bacteria. You'll need to read the label carefully to determine if the product has live cultures.

Supplementation in capsule form may also be necessary. Capsules can also be used as vaginal suppositories in order to re-establish beneficial colonies in the lower reproductive tract.

If your chronic yeast infections are not helped by dietary modifications and yogurt treatments, your best bet may be to consult with a practitioner who specializes in environmental medicine.