| Every month, thousands of women search the | | | | different species of bacteria, and many of them are |
| Internet for a natural cure for yeast infections. This | | | | needed by your body. Yogurt will replace only one or |
| makes sense, since vaginal yeast infections are so | | | | two of these species, and a new strain of yeast |
| common, and medications for this condition can be | | | | could colonize your gut while your bacteria population |
| expensive. Some women are also concerned that | | | | is still being rebuilt. That means that taking some of |
| antifungal drugs can be too harsh, and would prefer a | | | | these powerful herbal remedies could actually make |
| natural remedy that is milder and safer to use. | | | | your current yeast infection worse instead of better. |
| So, do natural yeast infection cures really work? | | | | To protect yourself against false claims promoted by |
| The short answer is "Yes, they do work for many | | | | people selling "guaranteed cures" for yeast infections, |
| women." | | | | it makes sense to learn all you can about this |
| The more complete answer is "Yes, sometimes they | | | | common condition. |
| work. But you need more facts about yeast | | | | Once you know what causes vaginal yeast infections, |
| infections before you decide if a natural remedy is | | | | you'll see why the old-wives' tales about yogurt, |
| right for you." | | | | vinegar and garlic are actually more helpful and |
| Unfortunately, many claims are made by Internet | | | | truthful than many marketing claims selling |
| marketing firms promising a "natural cure" that is | | | | complicated and expensive herbal remedies. |
| "guaranteed" to get rid of your current infection and | | | | These simple remedies that you can buy at the |
| keep it from coming back. Most of these remedies | | | | grocery store often do cure a mild yeast infection. |
| are based on a treatment plan first promoted by Dr. | | | | And in most cases, simple changes in your diet and |
| C. Orian Truss, M.D., way back in 1978. There are | | | | daily habits can keep yeast infections from coming |
| several reasons why health care providers are | | | | back. |
| concerned about these remedies: | | | | If the mild remedies your grandmother used don't |
| 1. These treatments were not created for vaginal | | | | cure your yeast infection you should get yourself to |
| yeast infections - they were promoted as the cure-all | | | | a doctor, because there could be several reasons |
| for a condition Dr. Truss called "systemic candidiasis." | | | | why the infection doesn't go away: |
| This condition was thought to cause a wide variety | | | | - You could have an infection that is caused by |
| of symptoms, including lethargy, fatigue, food | | | | something other than Candida. If you have an |
| cravings, depression, infertility, and vaginal yeast | | | | infection caused by bacteria or parasites, the |
| infections, plus many more. The theory was that "if | | | | infection could eventually damage your reproductive |
| you don't feel good, and your doctor can't find | | | | organs, and must be treated promptly by prescription |
| anything wrong, you have Candida." | | | | medications. |
| 2. Although this theory was first written about 29 | | | | - You may have a yeast infection that isn't mild |
| years ago, it has never been proven that any of the | | | | enough for the natural remedies to work. In this |
| symptoms listed, except vaginal yeast infections, are | | | | case, your doctor can recommend an |
| actually caused by Candida yeast. And the powerful | | | | over-the-counter topical cream that should cure your |
| herbal remedies and complicated diets have never | | | | infection within a few days. |
| been proven to be effective in treating any of these | | | | - Your yeast infections may actually be caused by an |
| symptoms, including vaginal yeast infections. And | | | | underlying condition that has upset your hormone |
| they have never been proven to be safe. | | | | balance or damaged your immune system. Many |
| 3. The remedies include "natural" herbal products that | | | | women are first diagnosed with diabetes when they |
| are anti-microbial - this means they can destroy the | | | | go to their doctor about their chronic yeast |
| beneficial bacteria in the gut that are your body's first | | | | infections. |
| line of defense against yeast infections. | | | | So, do natural remedies work? Yes, sometimes they |
| Supposedly, you can replenish your beneficial bacteria | | | | do. But you need far more information than that |
| by eating yogurt or taking supplements that contain | | | | before you make an intelligent, informed choice about |
| live cultures, but your colon is host to over 500 | | | | treating your vaginal yeast infection. |