No one wants to deal with a yeast infection, but most people in their lifetime will experience one. Yeast infections can affect both women and men, although they are more common in women. Symptoms of a yeast infection include itching, pain during urination, white discharge, inflammation of the genital area or balanitis in men, and vaginitis in women.
What Causes a Yeast Infection
Yeast infections come from the uncontrolled proliferation of a fungal microorganism called Candida Albicans. A small amount of Candida, also called yeast, normally lives around various areas of the body, including the genital area. However, sometimes it can multiply too much and become invasive.
This can happen for multiple reasons, such as increased sugar in the urine if you’re diabetic or an imbalance of microorganisms that live on your body from taking antibiotics. When this happens, your body responds by activating its natural defense systems, which can cause a lot of your symptoms.
How to Treat a Yeast Infection
If you suspect that you have a yeast infection, the best thing to do is see your doctor and confirm the diagnosis. This is especially true if you’ve never had a yeast infection before. Your doctor will run appropriate testing and prescribe medications.
Recommended treatments include:
- Over-the-counter products: You can find several over-the-counter treatments for a yeast infection, such as Monistat. If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may even recommend an over-the-counter treatment.
- Topical antifungal medications: Your doctor may prescribe a topical antifungal medication in some cases. This could be an ointment, cream, or suppository that you’d apply to the affected area.
- Oral antifungal medications: Your doctor may prescribe oral medication in some cases.
Home Remedies for Yeast Infections
Some popular home remedies can help relieve yeast infection symptoms. Before trying a home remedy, we recommend speaking with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
Apple Cider Vinegar Bath: You’ll need to draw a lukewarm bath and add half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak in the tub for about 20 minutes to give the apple cider vinegar time to kill the yeast.
Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has powerful antifungal properties. If your doctor says it’s okay, you may try a tea tree oil vaginal suppository, which dilutes the oil with a carrier. If you cannot find a suppository, make sure that you dilute tea tree oil with a carrier such as jojoba oil.
Tips for Preventing a Yeast Infection
There are several things that you can do to prevent a yeast infection.
- Up your vitamin C intake: Vitamin C helps support your immune system, which will help fight off the invading organism.
- Enjoy Greek yogurt or a probiotic: Consuming unsweetened yogurt such as Greek yogurt, or a probiotic if you don’t like yogurt, can help prevent yeast infections.
- Maintain good personal hygiene: Washing your genitals with soap and water can help maintain your natural microbial balance and help prevent yeast infections. Doctors do not recommend douching for women.
- Avoid intercourse with someone who has a yeast Infection: If your partner has a yeast infection, avoid intercourse while they are being treated.
- Blood sugar control: If you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar can help prevent yeast infections
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