Natural Treatments for Yeast Infections - How Do I Know When They're Gone?

[lumiereauteur.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

After getting tired of spending $15 for a treatment each time I get a yeast infection, I decided to try some of the natural alternatives I've heard about instead. I started with a tea tree oil treatment on a pad, followed by an internal application of acidophilius powder w/ a q-tip (I was afraid to put the capsule in, it's cellulose and I worried that it might feed the yeast), another round of tea tree oil on a pad during the day, and then an internal application of tea tree oil on a q-tip at night, along with the insertion of a garlic clove over night. This is now the third day of treatment.

As far as I can tell, the majority of the discharge has stopped. However, when I went to remove the garlic clove this morning, it seemed like there was still 'stuff' in there. Is that perhaps yeast that I'm killing with the garlic and tea tree oil? Or do I still have an infection? Should I give it a few more days of treatment before I expect results? I guess I don't know how long I should expect the natural treatment to take. Besides this questionable 'discharge', it doesn't itch or burn at all (though it was a very mild case in that sense to begin with) and there's only slight reddness and inflammation, which might be partially caused by the tea tree oil.

So... any advice, personal experience anedotes, alternative things I could try, etc. would be very helpful. Also, it seems like I've been getting them more persistently since I started having sex regularly... any tips for avoiding them? [I'll also check the memories.]

Thanks!

Comments

[hardspacecore.livejournal.com]

I've never tried any of the natural remedies before, but I suppose it could be the yeast coming out as it heals. I know when I use the gel to treat BV for example, it just starts coming out in clumps and it's because it's healing up and getting all of the crap out... I could be wrong, but I thought I'd would suggest that. I suppose if it's not better in a few days, maybe you should just try something else.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

[lumiereauteur.livejournal.com]

Hopefully you're right, that would make sense that it's just the dead yeast in there... I'll keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully it'll clean itself out!

[restlesspoetry.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering about the tea tree oil. Do you dilute it? I've been thinking about doing it because I'm pretty sure I have a yeast infection as well, but don't have money for the OTC stuff. So, yeah, just wondering if you put some on a q-tip and just swab or what?

[lumiereauteur.livejournal.com]

From the reading I did, it doesn't matter if you dilute it or not. Some people recommend diluting it because full-strength essential oils can be too strong - and it's true, it does have a bit of a burning sensation (more 'tingly' than burning) when applied. But yes, all I did was dip a q-tip into pure tea tree oil and swab it around inside. I also put a few drops on a moistened panty-liner, rubbed that on the external area, and then wore the pad overnight.

[kaonamai.livejournal.com]

I can't have the tea tree oil externally over a long period of time, i just put a couple drops on my finger and rubbed it around. It stings for a bit but goes away.

[lolamatopoeia.livejournal.com]

To avoid them in the future make sure make sure you go the bathroom and get your genitals clean and dry as soon as possible after sex - go pee (this prevents UTI's), wipe properly (between labia as well), spray or rinse your vulva with some diluted apple cider vinegar in cool water (I keep a spray bottle by the tub) and then either air dry or pat dry. I used to get them all the time, but since doing this I haven't had one. If that doesn't work you might want to consider taking acidophilus as a daily supplement and/or cutting back on sugars.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

You might find our gigundo YI FAQ section helpful - http://www.livejournal.com/community/vaginapagina/5865641.html; there's a specific comment which mentions tea tree oil here - http://community.livejournal.com/vaginapagina/5865641.html?thread=69586089#t69586089. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

[soulsearcher139.livejournal.com]

when I started having sex I was getting yeast infections like no ones business. it turns out my partner had one and just kept passing it back to me. (lucky me) so after he was treated it became much better.

also i found that if you have your partner pull out and not ejaculate inside you this seems to help some women. not that semen is bad for you. but it just seem to keep everything... cleaner I guess.

also dont use any kinds of soaps on your vagina. it can irritate it and lead to a YI. just plain warm water is all you need to clean that area.

also once a week I insert a acidophilous tablet in my vagina. i have been doing this for 3 months and i haven't gotten one. it helps keep the good bacteria working in your vagina.

good luck.