i think i hav a yeast infection. i have no ideas on how to get rid it. please help

Hello,

The above women have given you alot of great advice but I do want to point out some things that you should also be aware of:

1. It may be hard to know if you have a yeast or bacteria infection without going to the Dr. for a culture. Do not treat your infection with an over the counter yeast product unless you are absolutely sure you have yeast. Over the counter products are often more irritating than prescription creams and do nothing for a bacterial infection.

2. Natural treatments like tea oil or garlic can burn so be very careful about what you put inside.

3. Oral probiotic supplements such as Femdophilus by Jarrow which is specific for vaginal flora have been proven in research to decrease the occurance of yeast infections. Putting yogurt inside may be soothing but since only specific species of yeast live in the vagina, it is unknown whether yogurt has and can replace the proper strains.

Hope things improve!

Michele

Dear Anon, I agree with the two responses from Susanc and Michelle. I would also add a few suggestions but let me ask you a couple of questions first: Are you guessing a possible diagnosis based on the symptoms you are having or have you consulted with someone? Was your condition preceeded by antibiotic treatment? Have you had thrush in other parts of your body i.e. oral cavity? Are you under a lot of stress? Are you postmenopausal?

If your assessment is correct and indeed what you are experiencing an overgrowth of candida albicans (yeast), a bacteria which is always present in our bodies but can result on an overgrow due to the use of antibiotics, poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance or a combination of these. After trying all the suggestions we are giving you here, your condition does not improve, you may want to consider a trip to the doctor to make you do not have vaginitis which can become a chronic problem.

I do not like over the counter products as they are only band-aid, temporary solutions that do not address or identify the root cause. A natural approach to bringing the population of "good bacteria" back up to where it needs to be is by adding high amounts of probiotics into your diet: plain yogurt with LIVE active organisms or a probiotic supplement that contains at least 4 billion active organisms like acidophilus and bifidus which fight candida and prevent overgrowth.

You must also stop all sugars (including alcohol) during the healing process. Sugar is a favorite food of Candida bacteria and it promotes favorable growing conditions for yeast because sugar reduces oxygenation in the intestines. You should increase RAW vegetables and fiber in your diet to increase elimination and detoxification. In addition to avoding sugar and alcohol you must stay away from foods with mold like aged cheeses, nuts and nut butters.

Here are the foods you should include in your diet to help your body go back to a more balanced bacterium population. Please note that you probably will never get rid off Candida albicum bacteria, but you must ensure the "good" bacteria population is higher in numbers.

Garlic, onions, chlorella, wheatgrass and spirulina and other leafy green veggie will help with the detoxification process.

For temporary relief of symptoms in the external area, apply plain yogurt (with live bacteria) using a sanitary napkin and leave it there for a few minutes. Wash with cold water, dry very well and wear only cotton underwear that is not too tight. You may try a douche with warm water and oregano oil (sold in most health food stores). There are studies done showing the efficacy of oregano oil and growth inhibition of candida albicans (yeast bacteria). And please, please, please, abstain from sexual intercourse until you get better. Yeast spreads quickly!

Hello Anonymous,

Thank you so much for visiting the website and for posting your question to us. Like susanc said, we're so glad that you found us, and welcome to EmpowHer!

I'm sorry that you may be dealing with a yeast infection right now. They are just the worst. I agree with susanc that if this is your first one you should go in for a quick check up just so your doctor can say for sure that it is. But if/when you are diagnosed with one, they are really pretty easy to treat. Most women can just buy an over-the-counter yeast infection medication, which is usually either a tube of cream that you insert vaginally, or a soft capsule. Some medication kits also include a small tube of anti-itch cream that you can use in the outer portion of the vagina while you are in between doses of the medication. You can usually buy 1 or 3-day kits.

Susanc gave you excellent information on how to treat them too and how to prevent future ones from occurring. Please post again when you can to let us know how you are doing. I know it's really uncomfortable for now but once you get to the doctor you can start treating it right away and you'll feel better really soon. Best in health, Michelle