Have you ever heared tell of Gentian Violet (don't know if the spelling is correct)... I used in on my babies when they had thrush, on my nipples when they had thrush (which FYI, thrush is a yeast infection). Gentian Violet is PURPLE... I'm not talking lavender but purple... like an Iris, and it needs to be watered down (ask your pharmacist) AND it stains shit that it comes into contact with... so put on clothes that you don't care if they get died, etc...

HI, have you switched to dye and scent free toilet paper? The same for your detergent and no fabric softener. If you must microwave your undies as well. Also you could try inserting a clove of garlic that has been wrapped in cheesecloth.

I hate yeast infections, good luck to you both and the wee one.

Here's what works for me...

1) Boric acid suppositories. You can make them yourself with empty gelatin capsules and boric acid from a drug store.

2) An anti-fungal product called Candistroyer. I had a stubborn yeast infection last month after a course of antibiotics for a respiratory infection. I tried my usual tactics, boric acid suppositories and then tea tree oil suppositories. Those helped, but didn't completely get rid of it. The Candistroyer knocked it out relatively quickly.

remove sugar (and white flour/baked goods) from your diet, instead of trying to

Yogurt douche. Not kidding.

I've heard positive things about douching with diluted tea tree oil. Also finding a good herbal supplement, there are alot online, ( make sure it's allergen free a good Pro Biotic is good. Like what live yogurt cultures, only in very potent pill form. And don't just cut back on sugar, eliminate it completely. ( it's in virtualy all processed foods) Good Luck.

here is a useful link w/ many alternative options
www.christinas-home-remedies.com/y...ml

Try some of these suggestions to get to the root of the problem!

www.wrc.net/wrcnet_conte...dida_diet.htm

Also, keep in mind that the personality types that get these conditions are good at meeting other people's needs, but deny their own. I would consider flower essences to emotionally re-educate yourself like Centaury (learning how to say no without justifying), Yarrow (protection), Larch (for under-confidence), and any others you think may apply (although I recommend dowsing or a muscle-test to really get the right ones hehehe!) :-)

I don't know the answer to your questions but I do get yeast infections quarterly (though less as I get older).
I use plain yogurt mixed with warm water in the shower in a douche bag, twice daily (or on the toilet), for about a week. I also yogurt regularly during that time. It works and the douche sooooothes the itchiness. I have been doing this since my late teens. I am now 38 and still swear by it. On the rare occasion I have used a prescription, it took just as long for it to go away.

I wonder if ingesting dairy/yogurt and douching with it has the same effect?

So, my personal remedy is...

Use maybe 4 tablespoons in a personal douche bag with warm water, squeeze the entire contents into your vagina. Do this twice a day. Eat a regular cup of yogurt, your choice, daily during this time. The douche is really very soothing, for me.

I really appreciate everyones responses on the issue. Actually I had tried most of the remedies that people suggested. What I was really trying to figure was the question about the alkalinity and why eating alkaline foods could cure an alkaline problem?

What actually ended up working for me, at least for the time being until the pregnancy is over, was a combination of eliminating sugar (including most fruit) and taking three acidophilus pills a day while also inserting them vaginally at night for at least a week.

Another thing to try: use all-natural, chemical-free sanitary products. I thought I was having constant (near-neigh monthly) yeast infections--my old doctor was ready to try putting me on monthly prescriptions as a preventative measure. My new doctor out here thought it could also be an allergic reaction to the bleach and chemicals used in most sanitary products (to enhance color and absorbency). It's made a **huge** difference!

She also suggested lots o' Vitamin C (again, to adjust your pH. It can also help prevent urinary tract infections for that same reason). Yogurt is also good--if you can't have diary, acedopholis supplements (I know I spelled that wrong... probiotic pills). I'm extremely leary of douches--you're body has a delicate pH balance, and I see know reasons to try to insert unnatural substances to try to change it. It sounds at least useless and at most like a recipe for disaster.

I found a probiotic called FemDopholis and works great! It's specifically formulated for women to keep them balanced. I will also attest to putting the yogurt directly on the problem. You can mix the FemDopholis with the yogurt and use as a suppository.
Personally the Tea Tree oil and Lavender etc irritated me so much that it got worse, but I am very sensitive in that area.
Also, make sure you wear only cotton underwear and this may sound weird but after showering and drying yourself off take your hair dryer on a cool setting to make sure the area is totally dry. Yeast loves dark and moist....ick I know.

I virtually never get these.

Usually from antiobiotics, but the last time wasn't. So I had to do a bit of research too. I know I dont want to create super yeast from using prescriptions.

Anyway, I step up my preventive measures:

Cleanliness- not just me but my partner (demand they have clean parts before participating) and if you have toys make sure they are cleaned appropriately

Ventilation- cotton if you must wear them, but if you can skip underwear go for it. In addition wear loose fitting slacks or skirts instead.

Sugar in diet is doubtfully a contributer I have a voracious appetite for sweets (sugar is acidic); but sugar directly in the vaginal area is a big risk for yeast infection. (so be careful what you play with)

Extraction- ok it isnt pretty to write about, but use your finger (watch the nails dont scrap) and physically wipe as much out as you can while showering. Then soak in warm salty water.

My home remedy of choice is a tampon that has a small drop or two (small) on the top then coat thinly with vasoline like lubricant on sides. Just a tad works. This not only cured it but also relieved the burning and itching. Though it can be like tingly coolness a tad.

Good luck to all, and when pregnant talk to the doc or midwives.

I do not have a home remedy, but some information.

I read through these posts today and I did not see any that mentioned the men (I may have missed it as I was skimming them). Did you know that you can pass the infection to your partner? He will not get the infection, but he will pass it right on back to you! I used to get these ALL the dang time; finally my doctor prescribed meds to both my husband and myself,- I had to take two types, he one. I have NEVER gotten a single infection since then, and that was over TWENTY years ago!

Just thought that I would pass that on.

Okay, here's the deal: I am in my mid thirties. I have had issue with yeast infections all my life. I did the Doctor/ Prescription route but the relief was always only temporary. It got to the point that the yeast problem was affecting my sinuses-NO KIDDING- and I was getting recurrent sinus infections along with the yeast infections. I was truly miserable and the quality of my life was just so poor for about a year and a half. I ate yogurt, I took supplements, I changed my diet..nothing changed. Then I made a new friend about 6 years ago. What I learned from her changed my life..thank goodness! Probiotics (the bacteria in yogurt) are more than just acidophillis. There are many different strains of probiotics that we NEED in order for our immune systems to function properly and for the good bacteria in our body to keep the not-so-good in check. Forget store-bought yogurt. If you're having aproblem with yeast, it only will have a very small amount of one or two types of the probiotics your body needs. Go to your health food store and ask for REFRIGERATED probiotics. Probiotics die and lose potency rapidly if they aren't kept cold. I use a brand called Jarro they work the best for me. I've tried most of them. Take 2 caps 3 times a day while using your boric acid/ probiotic suppositories. Drink lots of water and take cool sits baths. Do this for 10-14 days. You'll feel MUCH better in a day or two but don't stop. After 10-14 days, you can knock off the suppositories and relax. STAY on your probiotics but you can just take one cap with breakfast and one with dinner. daily. I have had one yeast infection since and have never had another sinus infetion. My seasonal allergies used to be terrible. After the first year of staying on the probiotics, they became 90% better! I hope they work as well for you all. Probiotics were nothing short of a miracle for me :)

GSE is what I use on my own yeast infections. I make a wash. I would never douche, even during an infection, you are just going to disturb up your flora. I use 5 drops per 1/2 C of H2O. I add a couple of drops of melaleuca, rosemary is what a friend uses and she likes it. I don't I think it burns, but she thinks tea tree burns (melaleuca). I use it a few times a day, and use a hemp based salve that has rosemary and some other oils in it.

Not inside the vagina. Only on the outside.

I also have my husband use the wash, and I avoid vaginal intercourse during the 3 days or so it usually takes to clear up. I tend to get UTI's in conjunction with yeast infections (ouch) and drink cranberry juice for that, it seems to get taken care of alongside the yeast.

I used GSE for my daughter's thrush. It was gone in 2 days. They had given me a prescription for diflucan, and after researching what was in it (sugar and anti-fungals), and being horrified, I found GSE.

I made a well diluted wash, 2 drops for 1/4 C. H2O and swabbed it into her mouth with a Q-tip(not rubbing the yeast of course, you can rub the sores right off, OUCH!) I used the wash on my nipples, as well.

The doctors couldn't beleive it was gone after a couple of days, they had thought I was crazy not waniting to use the medicine on my tiny baby.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grap...ed_extract

Oh and the USDA doesn't seem to like it.
www.terressentials.com/trutha...se.html
like they are more trustworthy then anyone else trying to sell you stuff. Sorry off-topic, but I thought in the spirit of fairness the link would prove interesting.

Forget about that "alkaline" diet hogwash. That is completely wrong. Your body maintains a very specific pH at all times - or else you die. This is very basic pshysiology / science. (PLease note that the main author who is pushing the "alkaline diet" cr*p has been arrested in 2 states for practicing medicine without a license.) The ONLY thing you can change the pH of is your urine - period - nothing else.

The reason yogurt helps with yeast infections is because there is beneficial (probiotic) bacteria in it that compete in the body with detrimental bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. We are actually made up of more bacterial cells than human cells, FYI.

I am a former vegetarian. The fact is, people are omnivores. Milk is not bad for you. If you like yogurt, eat it, it is very good for you. Many of the longest-living people on earth thrive on it. If you have some sort of philosophical problem with dairy, and you are still having a candida problem, you can try taking probiotic pills, or try coconut kefir.

But remember, since people are omnivores, our bodies expect us to provide it with a *varied* diet to get all the elements we need. By restricting our diets artificially, such as with strict vegetarianism, etc., you are throwing your body out of balance, and making more work for yourself. If we were meant to be strict vegetarians, like cattle or deer, we would share their digestive systems, which we don't.

When I was pregnant, I used plain yogurt right out of the fridge. I wouldn't use frozen just because I'd worry about the whole area getting too cold. I used applicators for miconzanole--just filled it up with yogurt instead! It works well!