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Q. I have infrequent vaginal yeast infections, but I prefer not to use creams like Monistat. They were once prescribed by doctors and now are available over the counter, but I prefer a more natural approach.
I heard about douching with plain yogurt. I was a little squeamish at first, but have tried it and it works fairly effectively.
Is this a legitimate natural remedy? How does the medical community see it? Should I worry about recurrences?
A. Vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis) cause a great deal of discomfort and disruption. The primary symptom is an intense, almost unbearable itch. The yeast Candida is a normal occupant of the vaginal vault. Frequently, however, when women are given antibiotics, they will develop a vaginal Candida infection. The antibiotics have no effect on Candida, but they do seem to wipe out other occupants, and yeast cells rush to fill the vacancies. Oral contraceptives can have the same effect on some women.
There are lots of cures available, all of them likely to work at least temporarily. Monistat (miconazole), either as a cream or a vaginal suppository, usually gets the nod. Alternatives include other antifungals such as clotrimazole, butoconazole or ketoconazole. Cure rates are supposed to range from 80 to 90 percent, but recurrences are not uncommon.
Many women like you have been looking for more natural approaches. They have been douching with yogurt to treat yeast infections for decades. There are a number of websites that promote this practice and provide detailed instructions. That said, we have been hard put to find substantive studies to support this approach. One group of researchers at Sohag University in Egypt published the following article: “Bee-honey and yogurt: a novel mixture for treating patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis during pregnancy” in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics (online, Feb. 8, 2012). The conclusions:
“To the best of our knowledge, a mixture containing both Bee-honey and yogurt was used for the first time in the present study. The mixture produced a relatively high clinical cure rate which was even higher than that produced with the use of anti-fungal therapy (87.8 vs. 72.3%, respectively). On the contrary, the anti-fungal therapy produced a significantly higher definitive mycological cure rate. This paradoxical effect may seem astonishing and even illogic. However, the higher clinical than the mycological cure rate can be attributed to the inhibiting effect of the mixture on other organisms rather than the Candida albicans alone. The mixture produced a relatively high therapeutic efficacy against Staphylococci and Streptococci. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of the honey may alleviate the problems of itching and redness thus improving some of the symptoms and signs of vaginal candidiasis.”
Unfortunately, this study was not randomized or placebo-controlled. The number of subjects was modest. We have been unable to find large-scale studies using yogurt as a douche.
Earlier studies have looked at whether women could reduce their risk of vaginal yeast infections by eating yogurt with live cultures. One old study (Annals of Internal Medicine, March 1, 1992) found that women eating Colombo brand yogurt with live Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures were three times less likely to develop a recurring infection.
A review of research concluded that although some studies have had promising results with probiotics such as Lactobacillus, the quality of the trials leaves a lot to be desired and more research is needed (Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Aug. 2006).
One randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study found that two Lactobacillus strains administered orally improved the vaginal flora in postmenopausal women (European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Nov., 2008). Although the women in this study were given capsules, the probiotics used are commonly found in live-culture yogurt.
The Bottom Line on Yogurt for Yeast Infections:
Douching with yogurt is messy. Although it might be helpful for some women, the data are sparse. Eating yogurt with live cultures might be helpful and probably won’t hurt.
Share your own experience below. What has worked for treating yeast infections, and what has failed? Others may benefit from your story.
Linda
My second child was born with asymptomatic thrush and a bad latch, so she passed it on to me. And it got into my milk ducts. It was the single most painful thing I have ever experienced, bar none. After a series of topical treatments (like Monostat) failed to work, I tried this natural remedy (yeast-infection.1cure.info), which did finally clear it all up.
Lisa
New York
My second child was born with asymptomatic thrush and a bad latch, so she passed it on to me. And it got into my milk ducts. It was the single most painful thing I have ever experienced, bar none. After a series of topical treatments (like Monistat) failed to work, I tried this natural remedy
( http://yeast.1remedy.net ), which did finally clear it all up.
Ann
Oregon
I had a diagnosed yeast infection that was cured with one tablet of prescribed fluconazole (a generic version of Diflucan). It took about four days for a complete cure. About six months later, I had the same symptoms, a thin, light tan discharge, that I tried unsuccessfully to treat with daily yogurt douches. This time, I went to an immediate care clinic where the nurse took a sample of vaginal material and sent it for testing. According to the tests (were they done right?) I had neither a yeast infection nor a bacterial vaginitis but they gave me fluconazole again. The first pill made no difference so they gave me another six days later. The discharge is greatly reduced — went through a whole day with no discharge — but there’s still a drop or two two weeks later that burns and itches. Don’t know what to make of the lack of diagnosis or how long I should wait before seeing a gynecologist. Any ideas? (PS. I’m a senior citizen who hasn’t had a sexual partner for years.)
Debra
WV
I have had an issues with feminine itch and severe redness on my lady parts (no odor) for several months and on and off for years. I have used everything from Monistat, nystatin, hydrocortisone and prescription medications for what was diagnosed at a yeast infection. The itch was maddening and would wake me from a sound sleep, returning quickly even after a shower (I use soap for sensitive skin with no perfume).
I had not gotten away from eating yogurt, but had purchased some for my Mum, and one evening I was looking for something to snack on. Literally, within minutes of eating it, the itch disappeared, I mean totally gone. A few days later I began to have a bit of an itch starting again, so again I ate some yogurt, and again gone. I now eat some daily and have been itch free since. Amazing…I have been fighting this for so long and now what a relief…
Terri
Wisconsin
I’m 60 and don’t get full on yeast infections but I get smelly down there now and then. I’ve realised it’s from eating starches or having a few beers… As I’m not quite ready to start gluten free, I recently started using the yogurt douche. I’ve always eaten it and also take probiotics… The douche worked so well!!!!
My guess is I over produce yeast and I will eventually have to do gluten free. There friend who told me to try this also said that if you use a flavor…vagina will smell pretty and even aged a bit of extra lube for us older girls! …. Let the dating begin ?
Alyssa
IL
Hi All. I am still getting over a UTI when I started to have yeast infection symptoms. Oh no… not another thing to make my vagina super unhappy with me. I get reoccurring UTI’s but with the current one I am taking antibiotics for and the yeast infection mix it is the most uncomfortable pain I have yet to experience. With my first yeast infection a few years ago I tried the pain yogurt injection and it did wanders. This time it isn’t working so well. Monistat does nothing for me but make me feel more uncomfortable. I need to get all this to be gone! it is really ruining my chance TTC. Thank you for any advice or tips to get this yeast away from my Va-jj.
Petunia
WA
I’m 33wks pg-with a yeast infection-itch-burn-didn’t have Monistat on hand late at night miserable-so I syringed about 10 ml of plain Greek yogurt into my vag. It hasn’t all drained out yet due to Greek being thicker-and pg women are not advised to douche?
Okay to just leave it be til it comes out by itself? I don’t believe it wld hurt to stay up there but maybe? Please comment
NONOFO MASEHI
LOBATSE,BOTSWANA
I loved the conversation and its very relieving to find that most women out there have experienced the same problem I am encountering now, hence, it gives me a lot of courage to attend the matter at hand and not be secretive about it. Thanks!
Amber
Irving,TX
Hi, so on Monday, I went to see my dr and he said that I have a double yeast infection. ive never had one before so didn’t know what to expect. He proscribed me two pills one was pink and I was suppose to take one this week and the 2nd pink one next week, but I didn’t know that till I talked to the nurse yesterday. im also on another pill that I have to take twice a day.
I called the dr office yesterday cause I have been in the worse pain the past few days and having a hard time sleeping cause of the pain. so they proscribed me the cream, well the cream is only at night time, I did get to sleep but it still hurts and burns when I pee. How long till the pain goes away and how long does this last??
Terry Graedon
Check with the doctor’s office again and let them know you are still having symptoms.
corrin
london
every nite, use a round head syringe to put as much yogurt as u can get up there 10-30ml or more if u can, then plug the vagina with a tampon. it works like nothing else on earth- got to be plain unsweetened natural live yogurt like yeo valley if ur in the UK. use it- few studies will ever tell u about this- they’re ultimately funded by drug companies. use it! i suffer from auto immune conditions & thrush ruined my sex life for yrs. yogurt u can use over and over, no ill effects. eat it, douche with it, keep good weight, low GI diet & sleep!!!
Nicole
Tx
Sounds like you have a UTI, not a yeast infection.
Anonymous
North Carolina
I’ve used the yogurt method because I’ve had excessive discharge and then it started to itch badly. One application up the vagina gave me instant relief from the itching and the second application is just to make sure all the bacteria is gone. I’m not one who gets vaginal infections often but the plain yogurt no sugar or fruit and it has to say it had active bacteria the label. It worked for me hopefully it will work for you too.
Nikki
Texas
Yes the yogurt with live bacteria works! The store bought creams caused me to itch and burn. I read about the yogurt and to my surprise instant relief!
Amanda
Tx
Did the yogurt ever come out? I used a tampon case and filled it with yogurt like I read to, I inserted it into my vagina and there was instant relief. The only thing is, nothing ever dripped out or came out when I peed. It’s been in there a good 7-8hrs.
Tanisha
Atlanta
Did you mix it with anything…water, honey?
Bokamoso
Rustenburg
Ive been bleeding for a long time and my discharge have a bad smell once i start going to the toilet,what can i do to stop this
Terry Graedon
You need to see a health care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment!
Mya
Miami
Which brand did you use?
Jaime
NY
Got my first yeast infection about a week ago. It started with intense itching with intermittent painful urination and thick white discharge. After trying ACV drinks to get rid of it, I bought Monistat-1 thinking it’d clear it up quickly, but I was SO wrong! I inserted it 3 days ago and the Monistat has done nothing but itch/burn like hell…I don’t even know if it’s curing the discharge because the discharge has seemed to intensify and get “chunkier” (sorry, TMI) since I used it. After searching around for natural YI cures, I’ve stumbled on the yogurt method, so I’ve just packed 2 tampon applicators w/ Fage 0% and will try one overnight…hoping for some relief.
I’m following that up with 1/4 cup yogurt taken orally, probiotics I’m gonna go buy, and a baking soda drink to kill the bacteria *fingers crossed* I’ll report back once I see some change.
Mareece
Germiston
I tried No Hair removal cream on my bikini area and experienced two rashes at the side it’s very itchy and when I scratch it leaves red scratch marks. Did anyone experienced it? What can I use to treat it?
Mickey
I have been having infection for the past 8 years while I was still a virgin it will itch and swallow that won’t be able to walk I have bbeen to the Doc several times but no improvement the only hope my doc had was to book me for papsmear it goes away when school closed,I went for papsmear and last doc prescribed me diflucan it helped for 2 years and came back again,until I stopped taking all the medicine and started using plain yoghurt I insert inside and put some on my pantyline,I believe sometimes this is also worsen by the kind of sanitary pads we use ,public toilets and some condoms.
Renata
Home
This is my second yeast infection. With the first one I had bad itching, redness and swelling (using generic antibiotic). This time I have no other signs but a white lumpy discharge without odor. I have not had intercourse taken any antibiotics or any other melds, I’m not diabetic, might be pregnant though. I’m eating yogurt and drinking a shot glass of lemon/lime juice mixed in a cup of water once a day. Seems to be working for me.
Dianne
Georgia
I’ve recently had a yeast infection do to an antibiotic, I tried plain yogurt on a tampon and inserted it twice in 1 day and also applied a towel with ice over the vaginal area at bedtime and felt relieved of itching and burning quickly. I plan to use this remedy of anything else because it works!
Lori
Clemmons,NC
I get usually get yeast infection on a regular basis.. Started eating yogurt and not wearing panties at night at all! Helped out a ton. And I only wear cotton panties because it helps you breathe better down there.
BnK
New York
Can you also use Plain Coconut Milk Yogurt if it has the same active ingredients?
Laura
NY
Yogurt suppository does wonders for both BV and yeast infection. Studies confirm having lactobacilli down there also reduces risk of certain STD’s. Amazing! When you feel out of balance, get plain yogurt and insert using plastic syringe before going to bed, and wear some pad in case there’s leakage. By morning you’ll feel like a brand new woman.
Mandi
Washington, DC
Thank you for sharing. I almost didn’t try since I tried Monistat and that didn’t work. I was going to go to the doctor tomorrow thinking that I needed something for BV instead of a yeast infection. My mom suggested to insert plain yogurt and I’m giving it a shot. It already feels better after a couple hours than when I tried Monistat a few days ago. Can’t wait until morning to have things feeling better.
Chelsea
Oregon
I have had a few yeast infections due to the antibiotics for reoccurring uti’s. I am usually proscribed Diflucan, a single pill used to treat the infection as soon as symptoms occur. But because my regular doctor moved away, I had to go to the local walk-in clinic. They wouldn’t prescribe the Diflucan without present symptoms. So after taking a Monistat 1 suppository, and it only masking the symptoms, not curing, it I tried the old yogurt insertion remedy, and it has seemed to work! I am truly amazed.
Nikki
San bernardino
I didn’t freeze the yougurt and I used what I had which was strawberry but it didn’t bother me and the syptoms went away but I wanted to no how many days did you do this and when you froze the yougurt in the applicator it still came out it wasn’t hard? I just inserted like it was hope I’m not messing up.
ayl
Nikki, you really shouldn’t use any other yogurt besides plain yogurt!!! Anything with fruit/fruit-flavoring inevitably has a ton of sugar added (despite the fact that fruit contains sugar to begin with), as well as other ingredients to keep fruit fresh. I’m not against eating sweetened foods, but it will not solve your problem. In fact, having any glucose present for this procedure may cause intensified infection. When having a vaginal issue it is very important to avoid sugar/sweetened foods as most infections thrive on it!
Olivia
Chicago
I had the worst yeast infection after taking Bactrim antibiotic_ it was really bad to the point I couldn’t sleep for 2 nights! Very itchy and painful I couldn’t even sit down!!! The monistat didn’t work at all!!! Instead, the plain yogurt was the cure miracle for me combined with Azo yeast, which you can buy over the counter. Here’s how I used it: using the applicator from monistat, fill it with plain yogurt put in freezer, after it’s frozen insert it to the vagina. I did it for few days and yeast was gone :)) PS: if you have pain, insert the applicator slow!
LindaK
OH
I have read articles that recommended Miso Soup is helpful in restoring the balance in your digestive system and will also affect the PH balance of your vagina (have not tried it yet) Miso soup in a package seems processed to me so I am looking for a recipe to try or go to a restaurant which is authentic miso.
I have tried almost everything in the comments of the women in this conversation. The thing I noticed more than anything is when I do not eat bread, I have almost symptoms of yeast. AZO helps, taking ACV (apple cider vinegar) diluted in water daily helps the digestive track and helps the body’s ph balance as well.
Eating yogurt with little sugar – like plain yogurt helps as well. Meditating also helps.
Nan
Ga
I have tried lots of over the counter and doctor medicons but I seem to get a yeast infection very often. I had so much irritation, I thought I was going to have to go to the ER. I was red, swollen, itching, hurting burning that was so bad I was crying. I needed something that worked fast and a all natural yogurt douche done the job. I would recommend this to anyone. I also use Azo pills to help with yeast infection.
I hope this helps someone. Yogurt does work.
lee lee
United States
I totally agree. I am currently going through it. I did not want the over the counter meds. They seem to burn me. This plain yogurt (douching with it) is natural and gentle. Seems to be working! Thanks for your comment:)
Bina
HA1 1UN
At the moment i have been facing this yeast infection. Last time when I used pessary, I was thinking it has gone but it came again. Looking for some home remedies, i don’t know where can i buy the plain, unsweetened, unflavoured, natural Yogurt. Every Yogurt from Tesco, Morrisons , Asda are flavoured one and has suger. Could anyone suggest me from where can i get the yogurt which can remove yeast infection?
lady217
Illinois
I’ve had recurring yeast and bacteria infections since I was 17 (had my first baby) and nothing seemed to work. The prescriptions would work for a bit then it would be back I’m now 23 and just started using yogurt inserting it, and swallowing 6 spoonfuls of plain yogurt in a matter of hours I had results. So on a scale of one to 10 this by far is the best yet!
Hannah
Australia
I put Meredith sheep’s yogurt with l. acidophilus and Bifido probiotics into a plastic baby syringe and insert it that way. Instantly clears up infection and no mess at all, plus what’s wrong with mess if it gets the job done?
Maybe no one has funded an RCT based on women putting yoghurt up there vag yet but that certainly does not prove that it isn’t the most effective and least harmful remedy I have tried for recurrent Candida.
Very important to use yogurt with no added sugar! As we all know, Candida feeds on sugar and this will be counterproductive.
Using tea tree oil can be very harsh and cause bleeding, try yogurt instead.
ts
A small plastic medical syringe full of plain yogurts (with active cultures) for a couple of days (done at night) clears mine up ASAP. I don’t douche with it, and it is not messy at all (especially compared to monistat).
I take daily probiotics, but once on an antibiotic, or a few days working out in the hot Texas sun and I quickly get a yeast infection. This is the only non painful and non messy cure I have found, that works fast!
this girl
Plain Yogurt directly inside relieves my itching and keeps it away for a few days. Vinegar and water clears up, but leaves me dry. Garlic prevents it.
shay
I recently got married, I have been with one man only and I had three yeast infections in the 4 months we were married. I went to the doctor for the first one she prescribed me with triconazole I believe it was called and it worked but, it came back so I knew what is was and used the monistsat 3 day. It then came back again so I went to the doctor again and he diagnosed me with bacterial vaginosis he then put me on a 7 day antibiotic and as soon as I finished those I got another yeast infection I decided I was done with doctors and decided to do some research on natural cures.
They are great!!! I did a garlic candida detox along with probiotics and I applied yogurt directly to my vagina when I did that it was instantly feeling better of course I had to continue with that and I had the best results. I also took a apple cider vinegar bath. I filled it up enough to cover my crotch and belly, sat with my knees pulled in and I haven’t felt better. I suggest everyone to do it naturally no side effects and I have not gotten a yeast infection nor a bv in a month. I am finally enjoying sex with my husband.
Liz
San Clemente.
What is bv and do you know if you’re allowed to have sex a day after or how does it work? Do u insert the yogurt inside for a few nights in a row and don’t have sex?
Loren
First thing I’d do is to see your GYN. Make sure that there isn’t a serious issue there first. If everything checks out, I’d look into some natural ways of dealing with this problem.
For me I started looking into fruits and vegetables that help. Grapefruit and pineapples help a lot. There are also vitamins that help but none really showed any type of change for me.
Then after spending a few hours on the net I came across this natural supplement for women’s needs and care on amazon called balance complex for women.
I’ve been let down before by supplements promising the world. This type of issue is especially embarrassing and I’m just thrilled this has been working so far.
Would tell any lady to not hesitate and give this a try, will change your life.
J.S
There are many things which may internal and external cause vaginal itching. One who thinks they are getting frequent yeast infections should be check by a doctor before any type of treatment. The symptoms may not necessarily be yeast. If one is diagnosed with frequent yeast infections, it may be a sign of high blood sugar or auto-immune disorder. Secondly, there are different strains of yeast, and not all respond to the same treatment.
Trying all these natural and otc treatments, without checking with a doctor, can lead to more serious problems, such as skin and nerve sensitivity or changing the Vagina’s PH level. Or one could be allergic to OTC treatments.
The only natural item I use is prescription boric acid suppositories. These alone may not be enough to kill yeast, but are effective against all yeast strains.
I have learned all this the hard way. Now, I try to go in to the doctors or get a self- culture done before taking/using meds. I have been fooled thinking I did have an infections and not actually having one and the opposite, thinking it was just irritation, but ended up having yeast. Symptoms are not always textbook. Please be careful when using anything in the vaginal area.
vrgnia
I have chronic yeast infections. I am a yeast host and have symptoms all over including athletes foot, vaginal, pimples on arms and breasts, etc. My gyn prescribed fluconazole (2 tablets 3 days apart) every year with multiple refills. Gradually these pills stopped working, probably because my yeast adapted.
Over the years I have been taking probiotics, multiple kinds/multiple times per day, in attempting to solve my problem, but never completely successful. I never thought I would like yogurt, but in desperation recently I decided to try Yoplait regular yogurt with live cultures. I was quite surprised to find that this works. I EAT it. No mess. It may seem counter-intuitive that vaginal symptoms can be alleviated by eating yogurt but it sure works for me. If I skip for 2 days the symptoms will come back.
Jackie
I used to get yeast infections when I was pregnant in my 20’s,and then never again until now at age 69 (occasionally). I have found putting a little
coconut oil in my vagina stops the itching (Dr. Oz suggested coconut oil as a personal lubricant, too). 3 drops of oil of oregano in a glass of water stops the yeast infection in 1 or 2 days for me.
Naomi
So you used 3 drops of oil of oregano in a glass of water? Did you take this once a day or more?
MM
What would you think about inserting a couple of good probiotic capsules high in the vaginal vault? It could be done preventatively, or several times daily for treatment of candidiasis. The capsules should easily dissolve, I would think, since I’ve seen hospice nurses use pain caps as a suppository for patients needing pain relief (who can’t take the meds by mouth).
Kristen
Oakland CA
I’ve tried this one, but the pill doesn’t dissolve. It irritated me and caused some spotting. Yogurt is so much nicer.
I have this fantastic little device from the 1940s designed for making hors’doevres that is the BEST for yogurt delivery – there’s a picture of one here – someone should reproduce this plunger technology for the self-care revolution!
http://www.alleewillis.com/blog/2010/04/
Kristen
re: capsule – a gel cap would probably work better than a pressed pill.
JFR
How awful it must have been to have had this infection over and over for so many years. I do hope you find a cure. My Osteopath physician suggested the supplement, Caprylic Acid capsules, for me. It really does help, but has not stopped them completely. I am now trying another supplement, Enzymedica candidase. It certainly comes well recommended by people who have taken it. It is quite expensive but, if it is successful, it will be well worth it.
AP
I have been plagued by recurrent yeast infections since my teens- now past menopause! No MD has ever been able to determine the cause.
I did try the yogurt douche, and besides being messy, it didn’t really work.
Neither did garlic inserted into the vagina.
Monistat was ineffective.
The simple white vinegar douche did help.
The most effective remedy that I used was a douche with infusion of dried rosemary- and the tub smells sooo nice afterwards. I found using it for 1-3 days in a row worked best. For me, no remedy lasted a long time, but the rosemary took care of it for the longest duration.
Carole
After having chronic sinusitis for years and being treated with many rounds of antibiotics, I had chronic yeast infections. I used so many rounds of OTC anti-fungal creams I can’t even count. I also had 3 rounds of antifungal prescription meds. Finally I totally stopped eating all sweet foods and white carbs for 2 weeks.
This included fruits, sweet vegies like carrots and peas, wine, beer, and anything with sugar or white flour. I gradually added the fruits and vegies back into my but still each only occasional sweets and white flour. I no longer have yeast infections at all. I tried douching with yogurt but that did not help me. I do, however, eat yogurt regularly (plain or with fruit in a smoothie).
AZ
I use 2 tbp of unfiltered, unprocessed Bragg apple cider vinegar in a douche bottle that has been emptied. (Who knows what’s really in a store bought douche). I also just recently had a YI that would not go away so I added a dropper of GSE (grapefruit seed extract) and a dropper of olive leaf extract and within a few days my symptoms were gone. Just to safeguard I use this once every week or week and a half. Good luck!
AA
I’m interested to hear what others experiences have been.
Bgp
Will drinking kefir have similar results to eating yoghurt with live cultures?
People’s Pharmacy response: We would expect it might. We have not seen research proving this.
JudyNovember
I have had recurring yeast infections for years and my doctor persuaded me to use vinegar douches instead of monist at, and I’m very glad he did. This is my solution every time I feel a yeast infection starting, and it always works. The commercial douches that are simply vinegar and water work just fine, but I also make a solution of 5% white vinegar in water, and that works just as well.
Michelle
NY
I make my own Kefir and usually have a glass every day. I have also had to change my entire diet by cutting out most sugars and carbs. I just came down with a yeast infection (I think sparked from weeks of allergy meds and too much indulgent a with sugary foods) and I am trying the kefir instead of yogurt. It does soothe the area.
Betty France
I have heard that undiagnosed diabetes and yeast infections frequently go together. Is this possibly true?
Linda Griffin
N. Carolina
I have had type 2 diabetes for about 12 yrs. and have found that my yeast infections increased yearly. I have also been advised that I should definitely avoid hot tubs as they greatly increase the infections. I have always used medications prescribed by my doctor but they tend to work short-term and also to lose effectiveness over time. Following a recent surgery, my diabetes count went very high and is slowly coming down BUT I have been cursed with an almost constant yeast infection. It is driving me crazy and I am hoping to find a natural home remedy that will get rid of it! If you have a lot of infections, I would definitely suggest visiting your doctor and being tested for diabetes. Good luck!
Kim H.
In 1982 I was traveling in Sweden and acquired a yeast infection. My Swedish female friends told me to smear a glob of yogurt up in side my vagina and around my vulva area then put on a sanitary napkin to protect my clothes. In very short order I was good as gold.
Many years later a friend complained of a reoccurring yeast infection and had sought medical treatment repeatedly as well as prescription drugs. I asked if her husband maybe needed to be treated as perhaps he was harboring the bacteria and reinfecting her. They had ruled that out……zero sexual relations. So I suggested inserting 2-3 probiotic capsules into her vagina daily and the heat of her body would melt the gelatin capsule and release the contents and she could re-seed her insides.
About a week later I saw her and she was as happy as a lark. Symptom free and healthy ever since. Don’t you just love a simple solution and a happy ending!
vp
I was in my mid 20’s and had frequent vaginal yeast infections. I was constantly having to use Monistat and I would be fine, for about 2 days, and then it would come back. This went on for about six months. I just could not get rid of the infection. I was miserable, and the prescribed solution didn’t really work, and it was very expensive. I tried many natural remedies in desperation and finally tried yoghurt when it was recommended in a magazine article.
I used a turkey baster (!) to inject live culture yoghurt in my vagina and also freely coated, slathered really, the outside of my vagina, top to bottom. Then I laid down and read for about an hour (why an hour?, not sure, but I just made sure I was reading something interesting), I then took a shower and was careful not to rub too hard and didn’t worry about any yoghurt that had not drained out.
I wore a pad but it only took another hour for me not to need that. I did that once a day for three days. The next time I had a yeast infection was about 8 years later. I now get very infrequent vaginal yeast infections (once every 5 years or so) and I use monistat because it’s convenient but if I had a repeat I would go back to the old standby.
Barbara
Would eating fermented kim Chi be effective? What about making fermented vegetables at home for probiotics? I saw a recipe today for making your own probiotics that was to fill a clean Mason jar with thinly sliced vegetables such as cabbage and carrots, add a little sea salt (no iodized salt as it slows fermentation) and add some whey.
Don’t fill the jar too full as it will bubble up when fermented. Seal the jar and let it sit on the kitchen counter for three days. Then open it and it will be bubbly and ready to rest in the refrigerator for two weeks before eating.
I don’t have yeast infections, so I don’t know if this cures or prevents such infections. But I hope it is an adequate way to get probiotics into the body. I was thinking that instead of adding whey to the jar, one could open a couple of live probiotic capsules that contain the kind of bacteria preferred and that would assure the right probiotics were growing in the jar. I always add some purified water to the jar also.
There is a lot of information online for making kim chi and other fermented vegetables. I eat fermented vegetables every day in salads at lunch and dinner. To the Napa or Chinese cabbage I add garlic, fresh grated ginger and green onions to make kim chi.
JRC
Cutting down drastically on sugar and carbs has been helpful to me.