The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amanda (Valdosta, Georgia) on 08/07/2008
★★★★★
I tryed the ACV remedy... both ways. I had seen that it was recommended that I use about a 1/2 of a cup in my bath water and soak for a while *(20 minutes)* and the itching would go to way... It worked...however it did not work instantly. By the time my soaking was done... the itch was infact gone. Now, the other thing that was recommended was to douche with ACV, this DID NOT WORK FOR ME.. it burnt to the point that I was in tears... I do not recommend this for anyone.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Christine (Montville, New Jersey) on 06/28/2008
★★★★★
For about two weeks I have had a terrible yeast infection plus UTI. I tried monistat powder and cream,it helped that day but after that it came back. Now Iam on vacation and I will not let this infection keep me from having fun. So my dad told me I can drink Apple cider vinegar mixed with alittle bit of water. What I did was drink 1 glass of this mixture and then I took one cup of vinegar poured it in warm water and took a bath in it.In a matter of about 15-20 minutes both the pain from UTI and the itching from the yeast infection was gone.(No Douching) Now Iam just drinking the cider and water for a couple more days just to make sure everything is cured.
Avoid Spermicides
Posted by Angela (Kitchener, Ontario) on 05/06/2010
Spermicidal film gave me a horrible yeast infection as well. I'm assuming the spermicidal foam would do the same.
Caprylic Acid
Posted by Joan (Ny) on 04/26/2016
What concentration were the caps? 600 mg?
Garlic
Posted by Justine (Edmonton, Canada) on 06/10/2008
★★★★★
Hello! I'd like to say that after 6+ yeast infections/year, I went off my birth control pill, and it helped a lot (cut my infection rate in half)! Secondly, the acidophilus and garlic suppositories (pessaries for those in the UK) are really, really effective at reducing itching etc. Especially more so that diflucan or OTC treatments. I will try the boric acid with my next infection, but rest assured, some natural help is out there (and on this page!!) Thanks.
Homeopathic Remedies
Posted by Julie (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 05/31/2008
★★★★★
When I had constant yeast infections, from having candida overgrowth, I used Yeast Gard homeopathic (available at drugstores). It kept me relatively comfortable, until I was able to cure the overgrowth. I also had itchy anus - I used a little bit there, too.
Acidophilus
Posted by Mandi (Fort Worth, TX) on 05/30/2008
I've been having a reocurring yeast infection for almost a year and a half now. (A few bouts of BV every now and then as well) I had never had either problem ever until a year and a half ago.. it's so frustrating. The only thing that really worked was taking 9 diflucan pills over the course of 3 months. But, after a few months of relief, i got another yeast infection. and, now since it's summer i guess, i've had a yeast infection since the beginning of may that won't go away. doctor gave me terazol and diflucan, it only got worse.. i tried acidophilus, but i guess i took too many a day because it made my stomach hurt! I just tried yogurt insertion. I hope it works. I don't know what else to do. I'm considering getting off of birth control as well, or at least taking it in a way where i don't get periods. Maybe that'll help. Has getting off birth control worked for many people?
Acidophilus
Posted by Niese (Houston, TX) on 09/08/2008
Mandi: I would not continue to take too much more diflucan. I recently went to the doctor for what I thought was a yeast infection, later I found out it was a bacterial infection; however, she told me that continued long use of diflucan will eventually make your body not respond to the medicine, and when this happens it will be almost impossible to get rid of a yeast infection. The most effective thing to do is to use a 7 day cream. Old fashion I know, but it's safe and effective.
Acidophilus
Posted by Niccole (Manhattan, Montana, USA) on 11/04/2008
Response to Mandi from Fort Worth.
I also dealt with constant yeast infections for about a year to year and a half. I finally went off birth control. After 2 months of being off them I felt better than I had in years! No more itching, no more burning, no more pain during intercourse. Plus, for me (and it seems the opposite for most people), I had a shorter period! "naturally" my period became only 2.5-3 days long. Heavy, but manageable. And then done with. On the pill, it would drag on for 8 days and be just enough bleeding to be an annoyance. Plus two days after it stopped, a new yeast infection would start. After being off the pill for a year, I tried going back on. Within 1 week I had the same aweful symptoms I had the year before. So I went right off it the next month. Just this past month (another year and half later) I have given the pill a third try... and guess where I am? On this site looking for more remedies to try!! An infection started last night- 3 days after the end of my period, and two days into a new pack of pills. My obvious answer is to stay away from the pill (which I had taken for nearly 15 year before I ever had problems like this). And yes, i have tried different doses and brands. But I am wanting a method of birth control that isn't permanent or requires too much preparation (i.e. diaphram). So my quest continues... I have tried boric acid suppositories (they work ok- less mess- but the infection always came back), I have tried all the doctor prescribed creams, gels, tablets and they have never worked, other than giving me a few days relief. The tablets (diflucan, etc.) only made me feel ill and upset my stomach. I have been eating yogurt everyday for the last 2 years. I went on a "yeast free" diet for a while. I am going to now try the apple cider vinegar approach. But ultimately I see myself back at the doctor's office trying to get a different form of birth control. In my experience, the only noticeable difference, and CURE, was going off the pill. So Mandi, if you can, try it and see what happens. Good Luck!
Acidophilus
Posted by Debbie (Queens, NY) on 12/08/2008
This is a question for Niccole from Manhattan, Montana... I have been on the pill for almost ten years. In the last year and 1/2 I have gotten a yeast infection every month after my period. Now it seems that its not going away at all after using diflucan and monistat. I have cut all refined sugar, wheat and limited dairy out of my diet, I drink ACV, take acidophilus and garlic in pill form and nothing works! Its really getting depressing and I dont know what else to do besides come off the pill. Do you think its possible that this is the cause even though I've been on it for almost 10 yrs straight? Also, after 15 years did you experience and side effects from coming off the pill?
Acidophilus
Posted by Angela (Kennewick, WA) on 01/17/2009
This is in response to Niese from Houston, TX I have a similar story to yours. I've had chronic yeast infections that was treated with diflucan. I've recently been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis from e-coli. Do you know why you got BV? I'm curious if continued use of diflucan can allow certain bacterias to grow? Any information is helpful, thanks!
Acidophilus
Posted by Caralyne (New York, Ny) on 01/10/2010
I was suffering from recurrent yeast infections an BV a few years back. I got tired of taking the prescribed medications, because fighting the BV caused a yeast infection and then getting rid of the yeast would only last for a little while and back and forth and back and forth.
I started taking acidophilus orally (more than 100 million active per pil) twice a day and inserting garlic cloves into my vagina at night (strange right?) but it worked.
Also, I got rid of my partner. Sounds funny, but I do believe he was constantly passing the yeast and possibly even the BV back to me everytime I worked to get rid of it (that, and he was cheating on me anyway) but I noticed that after having sex with him (which was usually unprotected) I would get a yeast infection. I believe either he brought them to me or was carrying something that I may have given him but men usually dont get symptoms and so sex with him was disrupting my pH.
I suggest to any woman who is getting recurrent infections to definitely convince their partner to treat for yeast or to get a prescription of the flagyl to take orally for BV. It's very possible HE may be the reason you can't get a cure...and the pair of you might not even know it.
I haven't had a single yeast infection since I stopped dating and sleeping with him, but I also haven't had one since I started regularly taking Acidophilus, limiting my sugar intake and the garlic rememdy for about a week... and I eat yogurt (mostly, because I love yogurt tho! lol)
I am currently treating a very mild *so mild in fact i didn't know i had it until i had my annual pap smear* bout of BV with metrogel and am still taking my acidophilus regularly and will probably insert garlic vaginally and maybe even some capsules of the probiotic vaginally after i finish the metrogel just in case, as I dont want yeast to think they can come back!! Its been a great few years without yeast whereas i was having an infection every few weeks and was miserable!!
Acidophilus
Posted by Sheryn (Milwaukee, Wi) on 07/15/2010
Caralyne from NY, NY who noticed that every time she had sex with her boyfriend she'd get a yeast infection: while it's entirely possible he was passing it back and forth. . . If you were using lubricant for sex, that might also be the culprit. Most drug-store brand lubricants are thickened with glycerin, which is a sugar. And if it's flavored. . . That's usually even MORE glycerin. Yeast loves the stuff, so if you're prone to yeast infections, and notice that you get itchy after sex, you might want to check the label and find yourself a water-based lube that doesn't have glycerin in it.
Acidophilus
Posted by Mcbrooke (Baltimore, Md) on 01/24/2013
Definitely stop taking the birth control if you can. I just went to my gyn 3 days ago for having constant yeast infections. I started birth control well after I was having the yeast infections, but my doctor (a different doctor perscribed me birth control) said being on birth control would make make the issue worse. I just stopped a few days ago, so I don't really have any feedback for you other than that. Good luck to you though!
Honey, Yogurt, Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic
Posted by MayBelle (Hudson, NH) on 05/24/2008
★★★★☆
I am trying this remedy for a yeast infection it is done in 4 parts:
1st: I applied Raw natural honey (not store bought) let it sit and then rinsed it off.
2nd: I put plain yogurt in an applicator but it must have NO sugar and have live active cultures. I left that in my vagina for at least one hour.
3rd: I douched with raw apple cider vinegar and water 1tbsp per 1 liter
Finally: placed the clove of Garlic mentioned here.
My friend told me that this remedy works fast.. So Since OTC doesn't work I figured I had nothing to loose. I am on the last step and I do have to tell you already feel so much better...
Supplements
Posted by Candy Moss (Ofallon, MO) on 05/04/2008
★★★★★
I have used L-Glutathione for years for stiffness or joint pain of any type. I works great. I am told it is the key to allow calcium and vit. D amd mag. into the osteoblasts. Without it very little gets in to keep them working properly and it works really well. It also detoxifies the liver. Also I use a product called colon tone by Dr.Eskeland. It is an oxygen based cleaner and one of the great things I noticed it also does is help with yeast infections which I have often, I am guessing the xtra oxygen in the colon kills bacteria. All I know is its great not to have to put up with those yeast infections constantly. I suppose you can find it on the web. Otherwise e-mail me and I can tell you where I get it. Also the glutathione is a very inexpensive supplement.
Yogurt
Posted by Veronica (San Antonio, Texas) on 04/18/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered from yeast infections since I was a teen. The otc creams are almost as bad as the yeast infection. I have found the less sugar I eat, the less infections I get. But the biggest help has been yogurt. Unflavored yogurt sucked up into one of those applicators used for the yeast infection medications really knocks out the pain and irritation within seconds and cures it in a matter of days. It is so much cheaper, kinder and faster then the creams.
Yogurt
Posted by Tiera (Winner, SD) on 04/12/2008
★★★★★
I just found this site, looking for help with my chronic sinus/dental problems and got side-tracked. I wanted to add my input on using yogurt for vaginal yeast infections. I rarely get yeast infections, but any time I ever did, I dipped a tampon in some plain yogurt and left it in overnight, and it always cured the problem immediately! In addition, a few years back, I was baking some bread and must have scratched my leg with a fingernail that had some yeast underneath, and within an hour I had what is known as "baker's infection"...something people who work in bakerys suffer from on a regular basis because of the live yeast surrounding them. My rash on my legs was spreading by the minute, so I finally ran a hot bath, dumped a carton of plain yogurt in, and it brought it to a screeching halt! The redness remained into the next day, but the spreading had stopped, along with the itching and burning! I had read that yogurt bacterias kill yeast on contact, and I know, from experience, that this is absolutely true!
Anti-Fungal Remedies or Medication
Posted by Christopher (Kirkland Lake, ON) on 03/30/2008
★★★★★
A few years ago i worked in a kitchen environment and a candy store. Ok obviously i had a bad diet... i developped a rash on the side of my hand. water made it worse and perhaps the plastic gloves for candy didnt help. this rash persisted for over half a year and disappeared only by moving up my pinkie. there it became obvious that aside from cracking skin that there were tiny pimple like bumps.
My dad got me cortisone cream and it flared. apparently i found out at that time that cortisone feeds yeast! i got to thinking i had a yeast infection on my hand!!! i did try ACV it brought relief but i think the infection was too deep. Or that the ACV would of worked better mixed with a cream... it would clear to reemerge once the skin became dryer again. I was so convinced it was a yeast infection...
One day i told my dentist what i thought and she helped me get some cold sore medication... nyaderm/betaderm.. just to say it was antifungal!!! after 3 days the rash never came back.... i know its not a natural cure but just to say had i made a something with garlic or you know something antifungal the rash would of left.
since that time ive formed a belief that almost all health problems stem from mycotoxins or fungus/yeast living in human tissue. i still have a coated tongue and in my best efforts have only been able to partially clear it up. sucking on a tablet for candida did clear it up for a few hours, enough for hope but yeah thats expensive.
Yogurt
Posted by Janet (Music City, USA) on 03/07/2008
★★★★★
re: Yeast and Bacterial Vaginitis. Hello, I don't know if this will work for bacterial infections, but when I have had yeast infections, I apply a couple of Tablespoons of plain, unsweetened, unflavored yoghurt to my inner and outer parts with a clean finger, and instant relief. Poof! No more yeast infection ! Its worth a try, it can't hurt, and its very cheap.
Don't Douche
Posted by Cal (Topeka, KS) on 01/15/2008
All throughout this article, women are douching to help rid themselves of yeast infections. This is ridiculous. Flushing water or anything else into the vagina will do nothing but force the bad bacteria further into the uterus, which can lead to worse complications. If you want to help yourself, take a daily probiotic and drink lots of water.
Don't Douche
Posted by Mary (Annapolis, Maryland USA) on 06/14/2009
I agree -- DO NOT DOUCHE! ACV gave me slight, temporary relief from my vaginal yeast. However, the douching flushed out the productive bacteria and set me up for a RAGING vaginal bacterial infection, which required an antibiotic cream. That remedy caused a yeast infection to recur. I am now committed to an anti-yeast diet, probiotics, and anti-fungal herbal regime. I work with an experienced herbal practitioner and am 2 months into my program. I urge all with yeast issues to research systemic candida. It's a growing problem.
Yogurt
Posted by Sabrina (Brantford, Ontario, Canada) on 01/12/2008
★★★★★
Wow, i was really surprised when I used yogurt, it actually worked, and although it was messy all of my symptoms cleared up...there was no more scratching or discomfort, after about 4 days it was completely gone, i was very impressed, if I get this again I will know exactly how to cure it. Thank you everyone on this website, if it wasn't for you, I would've never been able to cure this in any quicker way.
Giving Up the Pill
Posted by Catherine (St. John, BC) on 01/10/2008
★★★★★
For about 3 years I was having the worst yeast infections ever. They would be ok for one week out of a month, but that was not good enough to feel good about myself. I discovered after seeing many doctors, using and taking many diferent things that once I quit using the birth control pill that after a month or so I was totally cured! I now feel great about myself and am not in so much discomfort...
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by SJ (olive branch, mississippi) on 01/07/2008
★★★★★
I first wanted to say be careful when dabbing ACV undiluted on the pelvic area because it can cause an off balance PH in the vagina and you can end up with BV! But it really does work. As i was reading the testimonies of how quick it worked for others i recalled how quickly it worked for me. Just this saturday i had the discharge, itch and burning. After taking ACV before bed i woke up with minimal syptoms. I will continue to take it so that i don't have the infections any more and because the other nutritional benefits are remarkable!
