Vaginal Yeast Infection (Vaginal Thrush)

About

A yeast infection is a common fungal infection caused by a group of 60-70 microscopic yeasts (a type of fungi). Of which the most common is Candida albicans, which lives in the bowel but can easily be transferred from the anus to thevagina;

Candida albicans resides in various moist parts of ourbodies. Where it is normally controlled by native bacteria and by the bodys immune system

Small amounts of problem-free yeast are often carried on skin and mucous membranes. E.g.mouth, throat, gut, vagina (found in 25% of women usually without symptoms), near the anus, and in warm, damp skin folds.

Yeast can infect many parts of the body. Causes localized effects, such as oral or vaginal thrush, or or it can develop and have even more serious systemic effects:

Candidiasis

Symptoms

A Vaginal yeast infection may cause the following symptoms:

Vaginal itch and/or soreness
Thick vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese texture
A burning discomfort around the vaginal opening – especially when in contact with urine.
Pain / Discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Causes

Something triggers the multiplication and overgrowth of fungi/yeast living in the vagina – upsetting the balance between the “friendly”bacteria (Probiotics) and the fungi :

Antibiotics –can kill beneficial bacteria that control yeast populations.
Certain factors can weaken the immune system –which otherwise would keep yeast in check:
Major Illness – E.g. diabetes, AIDS or cancer
Drugs – E.g. steroids, immunosupressive drugs
Diet that creates a”Happy Hotel” for fungi – E.g. high-sugar diet, malnutrition

Treatments for vaginal yeast infection (Vaginal Thrush)

Wear 100% cotton undergarments

Avoid tight-fitting, synthetic clothing material – which reduce airflow E.g. pantyhose, synthetic underwear.

Boric Acid

Boric Acid Sitzbath (or Bathtub). Proven andsafe remedy for yeast infection. Boric Acid has antifungal and antiviral properties, andhelps to restore acidic pH of the vagina which is unfriendly to yeast. Boric acid is available at a pharmacy.

INSTRUCTIONS for Boric Acid Sitzbath (or bathtub)
Using warm water, fill a sitz bath (or put 2″ warm water in a bathtub) Dissolve 2 tsp. (1/2 cup in a bathtub) Boric Acid in a cup of boiling water and add it to the water Optionally add ~ 1/3 cup witch hazel to sitz bath Sit for 10-15 minutes Repeat every night for about a week – until infection is gone.

Boric Acid vaginal suppositories. Very effective yeast infection treatment. Available online (E.g. Amazon) or fill your own size 00 gelatin capsules (available online E.g. at drugstore.com).

DO NOT USE boric acid inside the vagina if you are pregnant.

INSTRUCTIONS for using VAGINAL SUPPOSITORIES or filled gelatin capsules
Insert one or two suppositories or capsules with your clean fingers as far up as you can into the vagina Gradually taper off usage. Use every night for a week, then reduce usage to every other night for another week, thenevery two nights for a week.

If at any time you feel a yeast infection coming on. Insert a suppository or boric acid capsule in for 3-4 nights;

To prevent a recurrent yeast infection. Use boric acid vaginal suppository or 1 or 2 capsules twice a week for 6 months.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

(in Yogurt or probiotics)

Can be used if you are pregnant

L. Acidophilus probiotics or L. Acidophilus in plain (no-sugar) yogurt can be used as a supplement / food or in the vagina. To effectively prevent or fight a Candida yeast infection by helping to restore normal vaginal flora.

Regularly eat quality, high probiotic-content yogurt
Supplement Probiotics
Probiotics -“For Life”

External use:

YOGURT tampon. Dip a tampon in live natural yoghurt and insert it into the vagina for 4-5 hours;
Yogurt Douche. Using a vaginal syringe ora similar method,insert2 tsp live yoghurt into the vagina at bedtime for 7 days. Wear a sanitary pad, since the yogurt flows out slowly, but does leave a thin layer on the vaginal wall.
Vaginal L. Acidophilus suppository or capsule. Insert one Lactobacillus acidophilus suppository or capsule (made or filled with freeze dried bacteria) into the vagina in the morning and one in the evening for the first day. Follow with justone suppository or capsule at night for the next 10 days. Capsule will dissolve during the night.

Coconut Oil Tampon

Coconut oil is a powerful, time-tested and pleasant antifungal remedy for a yeast infection

INSTRUCTIONS for using Organic Coconut Oil Tampon
Soak a cotton tampon in organic, virgin coconut oil for a few minutes Insert oil-soaked tampon into the vagina Leave in overnight (or a maximum 8 hours) Repeat for 4-5 nights

Coconut oil is solid in a cool climate, so if necessary, stand the bottle in hot water until oil becomes fluid

(do not warm oil in a microwave oven).

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

GSE is a powerful anti-fungal that has proved itself against Candidia Albicans infections.

Instructions for using GSE
GSE DOUCHE Caution: Do not douche if pregnant Add 5-6 drops of Liquid MAXIMUM Strength GSE (60% Citricidal®/ 40% Glycerine) to 2 cups of room temperature water (filtered, distilled, or boiled) and shake well in a jar with lid. Douche twice daily with prepared solution for three days – solution is better retained in the reclining position Repeat every fifth day as necessary AND / OR ORAL GSE Dosages given for ~150# person – you may need to adjust according to weight. Lower initial doses may yield satisfactory results for some people – in which case a dose increase may not be necessary in days 4-28. If using 125 mg Capsules: Days 1-3: Take 1 capsule twice a day Days 4-10: then 1 capsule three times a day Days 11-28 (or less): and finally 2 capsules twice a day, until the fungal infection is gone; If using Liquid MAXIMUM Strength GSE (60% Citricidal® / 40% Glycerine) – GSE liquid tastes bitter, so take in ½ – 1 cup of vegetable or diluted fruit juice in preference to just water Days 1-3: Take 4 drops twice a day Days 4-10: then 4 drops three times a day Days 11- 28 (or less): and finally 7 drops two or three times a day, until the fungal infection is gone; GSE is taken between meals – However, if it irritates the digestive tract, then take with meals or as capsules (i.e. in powder form) Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

Instructions for using GSE

GSE DOUCHE

Caution: Do not douche if pregnant

Add 5-6 drops of Liquid MAXIMUM Strength GSE (60% Citricidal®/ 40% Glycerine) to 2 cups of room temperature water (filtered, distilled, or boiled) and shake well in a jar with lid.
Douche twice daily with prepared solution for three days – solution is better retained in the reclining position
Repeat every fifth day as necessary

AND / OR

ORAL GSE

Dosages given for ~150# person – you may need to adjust according to weight.

Lower initial doses may yield satisfactory results for some people – in which case a dose increase may not be necessary in days 4-28.

If using 125 mg Capsules:

Days 1-3: Take 1 capsule twice a day
Days 4-10: then 1 capsule three times a day
Days 11-28 (or less): and finally 2 capsules twice a day, until the fungal infection is gone;

If using Liquid MAXIMUM Strength GSE (60% Citricidal® / 40% Glycerine) – GSE liquid tastes bitter, so take in ½ – 1 cup of vegetable or diluted fruit juice in preference to just water

Days 1-3: Take 4 drops twice a day
Days 4-10: then 4 drops three times a day
Days 11- 28 (or less): and finally 7 drops two or three times a day, until the fungal infection is gone;

GSE is taken between meals – However, if it irritates the digestive tract, then take with meals or as capsules (i.e. in powder form)

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

Aromatherapy

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli)
Tagates (Tagates glandulifera)
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

These essential oils can also be used in a bath (just a few drops) in a douche or diluted 1 drop / tsp of carrier oil on a tampon. Leave in the vagina for no longer than 4 hours, and repeat two more times each day. Vaginal mucous membranes can sometimes be sensitive to certain oils, so use with caution.

DO NOT USE essential oils against yeast infections if you are pregnant.

Other tactics

Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. To prevent transfer of C. Albicans to vagina;

Male partner should treat penis externally with anti-fungal remedy to prevent cross-infection

Use organic (chemical-free) soaps, avoid bubble baths and do not douche regularly (except as a therapy E.g. using essential oils). Regular douching can disrupt vaginal flora.

Don’t use the birth control pill. Makes a woman more susceptible to recurrent candida infection – also, the pill is not good for your overall health. Use other birth control methods:

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