Treat Your Yeast Infections Without Drugs

When most women experience genital itching or discharge, they tend to assume they have a yeast infection. Their next step is often quietly buying an over-the-counter product that has been advertised on TV. But genital itching can be a symptom of many other conditions, from other kinds of vaginal infections to sexually transmitted diseases to skin allergies.

If you have a vaginal yeast infection, follow these guidelines: � Follow the full treatment prescribed by your health care provider. � Avoid sexual intercourse until the infection is gone. � After urinating, wipe gently to avoid irritation. � Avoid high-sugar diets. � Use unscented soaps. � Avoid using douches and other chemicals, such as bubble bath or hygiene spray, in the vaginal area unless recommended by your health care provider. � Take a shower instead of a bath. Pat the genital area dry.� Wear cotton underwear to allow ventilation and to keep the area drier. � Lose weight if you are obese (20% over normal weight). � If you are diabetic, maintain a normal blood sugar. � Try eating yogurt. Some women find that daily yogurt prevents yeast overgrowth. www.admin82.com

Perhaps the biggest contributing factor in the creation of yeast overgrowth, however, is the use, and overuse, of antibiotics. Although designed to kill "bad" bacteria (those that make us ill) antibiotics, to varying degrees, kill "beneficial" bacteria (those that keep us well, such as the digestive bacteria in our intestines.) Any use of antibiotics will kill off some good bacteria and prolonged and overly aggressive use of antibiotics can cause systemic problems for both men and women.

Boric acid is a chemical substance with mild antiseptic and antifungal properties. A small Italian study examined the effectiveness of a topical treatment with boric acid compared to oral treamtment with the antifungal drug itraconazole (Sporanox) in 22 women with recurrent yeast infections. The topical boric acid was found to be as effective as itraconazole.

Candidiasis is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Under certain conditions, they can become so numerous they cause infections, particularly in warm and moist areas. Examples of such infections are vaginal yeast infections, thrush, skin and diaper rash, and nailbed infections.

Polyene antifungals include nystatin and amphotericin B. Nystatin is used for thrush and superficial candidal infections. Doctors reserve amphotericin B for more serious systemic fungal infections. The antifungals work by attaching to the yeast cell wall building material, ergosterol. These medications then form artificial holes in the yeast-wall that causes the yeast to leak and die.

While not all women experience the following symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, it's possible to have vaginal soreness or irritation, a rash on the vulva around the vagina, pain or discomfort during intercourse, abdominal pain, soreness of the vulva or vagina, burning during urination, and even vaginal bleeding in some cases in addition to itching and discharge.