A question about yeast infections

topic posted Tue, April 29, 2008 - 2:44 PM by  Alison
-my daughter and I seem to get them a lot. I always try to cure naturally and prevent but sometime I do go the prescription route. I am now pregnant with #2 and trying to avoid Diflucan at all costs (I have already tried the 3-day terconazole after a month of suffering and still they are there.) I eat lots of plain yogurt and take acidopholus and try to cut back on sugar etc. etc.

So I have been doing some more research about it and have come across a few confusing details.

#1 Yeast Infections are caused by an overly alkaline environment in the vagina.

#2 The doctor has always recommended baking soda baths which seems to contradict the above statement?

#3 Vinegar is good to bathe in but a good idea to avoid as food?

#4 Eating more alkalizing foods is recommended to people who suffer from chronic candida problems, but candida thrive in an alkaline environment?

#5 It is recommended to avoid dairy on an alkaline diet yet eating yogurt is supposed to heal a yeast infection?


I guess I am just a little confused. Maybe eating alkaline foods does not cause the environment down there to be alkaline. Maybe I am thinking too hard about this. I am just tired of dealing with these creatures and need some help!

I am pregnant so I am trying to stay away from herbs and essential oils (tea tree oils) and I also don't want to switch to some crazy diet. If anyone can clarify this that would be wonderful. If not maybe you could recommend a tribe where my question would be better directed.

Thanks
posted by:
Alison
Kentucky
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Wed, April 30, 2008 - 12:43 AM
    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...
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Wed, April 30, 2008 - 12:49 AM
    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.
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Wed, April 30, 2008 - 6:19 AM
    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.
    • Re: A question about yeast infections

      Sun, May 4, 2008 - 10:23 PM
      For a woman who is pregnant, my Mid-wife says to wait until about 35 weeks along to use the boric-acid suppositories.
      For me they DID work, and I waited 'till I was 35 weeks along.
      • Re: A question about yeast infections

        Sun, May 4, 2008 - 10:26 PM
        Before I was 35 weeks along, I found that a sitz bath with a littlw apple cider vineger ( 2 or 3 Tbs) in warm water helped. Or if I didn't have time for a sitz bath, I would use a perry bottle instead.

        Good Luck!
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Thu, May 1, 2008 - 9:47 AM
    Yogurt douche. Not kidding.
    • Re: A question about yeast infections

      Thu, May 1, 2008 - 5:48 PM
      I've heard of that (but can't do it due to a milk allergy)...more specifically, I heard that freezing some plain yogurt in the finger of a rubber glove, then cutting away the glove and using it as a suppository...very relieving for the itch and all.

      I've also heard (and tried) the garlic remedy--peel a garlic clove and insert into vagina (attach some dental floss to retrieve it later if necessary, but it's never been an issue). I have no idea why it works, but I use it to supplement regular yeast medicine. Seems to help until I can get the good chemical treatment. I was warned not to nick the clove and that I'd smell more like garlic, but I did cut the skin a bit and nothing dire occured, and I never noticed a different BO.
      • Re: A question about yeast infections

        Sat, May 3, 2008 - 8:34 PM
        It sounds as if you probably do have an overgrowth of candida, which garlic and boric acid will not address...I would look into a no sugar(including fruit, and flours) type diet, supplementing a good quality probiotic such as Primal Defense for at the very least, the remainder of your pregnancy.
    • Re: A question about yeast infections

      Tue, June 3, 2008 - 10:48 AM
      What I have done is use a surgical glove and fill the fingers with plain yogurt. When you need an application, cut a finger and let it thaw a couple minutes. Set up a towel on your bed and a couple pillows to support your legs. Insert the yogurt and relax reading or napping for about 20 minutes. Use the towel to keep from dripping and jump in the shower. One more treatment the next day and you are good to go :)
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Tue, May 6, 2008 - 6:50 PM
    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.
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Mon, May 12, 2008 - 12:56 PM
    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!) :-)
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Wed, May 28, 2008 - 8:18 AM
    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.
  • Re: A question about yeast infections

    Sat, May 31, 2008 - 7:46 AM
    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.
    • Re: A question about yeast infections

      Sun, June 8, 2008 - 9:37 AM
      I think the answer to the alkaline/acid question is somethinglike this. Foods that are high in certain acid contents, produce the *opposite* effect in the body, an alkaline environment. "Although it might seem that citrus fruits would have an acidifying effect on the body, the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalinizing effect in the system." Vinegar is a bit more mysterious. You don't want to consume it much orally, because it creates an overall acidic enironment in the whole body which is not very healthy, however, you do want the acidic environment in the vagina, because that's what the healthy probiotics need to thrive. You need to keep the vagina acidic so the good bugs can flourish, and the bad bugs (yeast) cannot. That's why they recommend warm baths with cider vinegar.

      Here's a good link to alkalyzing/acidifying foods: www.essense-of-life.com/info/f...art.htm

      Hope that helps!

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