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.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by 1947hoppy (Winamac, Indiana) on 03/27/2013
★★★★★
My wife had developed a pretty serious yeast problem after a recent hospital stint and, IMHO, an excessive amount of antibiotics. I had previously read about Grapefruit Seed Extract, while researching information on candida infections. If you do a google on GSE you will find that it has many uses, is relatively inexpensive and from our personal experience with it, acts fast to relieve yeast infections. A small bottle, which lasts a very long time, MUST be diluted, as you will find when you do your research. It can be taken orally, sprayed on topically and even added to a douche.
Do a 'google' on 'the benefits of grapefruit seed extract'. You will be amazed. It is available at many health food stores, or online. Good luck.
Yogurt
Posted by Tammy (Newville, Pa) on 02/01/2013
★★★★★
3 days suffering from vaginal yeast infection. First tried Hydrogen peroxide - no relief. Next ACV. Made me raw. Desperate, I bought Monostat. DO NOT USE MONOSTAT. It was inside of me about 3 hrs. I was terribly uncomfortable, burning & itching worse than before inserting the Monostat. I Flushed/wiped it out of my v-jay as best I could. Husband went to grocery store for plain, active yogurt for me (thats luv). Used the syringe method with 10 ml. Instantly soothed the burning. No itching. Thank you all. I will apply again before bed the next 5 days as recommended here.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Secretagent (Oakland, Ca, Usa) on 08/15/2012
★☆☆☆☆
I am 27, and have had yeast infections several times a year since I started dating my ex. They went away when I stopped dating him, and I'm pretty sure he has a yeast issue himself. I also struggle with fatigue, toenail fungus, anxiety and digestive issues that make me believe my problem is candida. I don't eat processed foods and eat very little sugar or carbs. I wanted to address my other issues, so I started drinking the organic with mother ACV and baking soda combo, 2tbsps ACV with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, twice a day. Within 3 days I had a raging yeast infection. I cut out the baking soda and maintained the ACV drink and went with 50/50 ACV douches, morning and night. The second morning, it was worse than ever, swollen and painful and itching. Garlic helped stop the itch. In any case, this is the 2nd or 3rd time that drinking ACV has brought on a yeast infection, in my opinion.
Perhaps it would have resolved had I continued, but I'm going camping for 3 weeks and cannot be dealing with this out there. I'll be taking diflucan in the morning. Maybe I'm just not one that can handle it, though it does help when I use it externally and I do think it makes me more regular and more perky. Wish I could do it!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tamesha (Manchester, Jamaica) on 03/12/2012
I get yeast infection last week and my aunt told me to sit over hot water with Apple Cider Vinegar in it. What I did was Boil the water, then put it in a bucket then add half bottle of acv. Then sit over it wrap a towel around you so the steam doesn't escape. Just sit over it for 15 mins or more do this 3 times daily. I did it for 5 days now my yeast infection is gone, I also use vagisil creme for the itch. Now am also taking vitamin c pills and eating yogurt and I also drink one glass of water with 1tbp of apple cider vinegar. good luck to those who try it.
Boric Acid
Posted by Fabygm (Houston, Tx) on 01/19/2012
I suffered from yeast infections for years due to my poor diet and the fact that I was young and clueless as to how to help myself rid of them. Thanks to a wonderful doctor who finally stopped the horrid cycle of Pain by prescribing me boric acid suppositories. I had to find a compounding pharmacy to make them for me then I inserted one vaginally before hoing to bed on a Tuesday and again one on Friday and they are gone forever! I wish I had saved myself all those years of pain and wasting money on that stupid ink pill! I actually had candidiasis which is when yeast literally uproots into your body and it is very hard to get rid of it, as I said I had this got at least 6 years about once or twice a week until the boric acid. It's been 10 years and I never had a yeast infection again, tell your doctor to give you a prescription.
Garlic
Posted by Genierose (Cookeville, Tn, Usa) on 10/17/2011
★★★★★
Years ago I used a vaginal garlic treatment for vaginal yeast with excellent results and immediate relief. But now I have bacterial vaginitis and it feel like acid has been applied to my external parts. I went to the doctor and she diagnosed it and prescribed 7 days of metronidazole followed by one Flagyl. It took about 5 days before I got relief. A week after the treatment it was back again and I began searching the internet. I came across this site and so many of you are hurting and looking for relief!
This morning I thought I would try my garlic treatment and see if it would help the BV. Well, I had immediate relief and now it is 6 hours later and I feel great! I will do it again tonight.
Here are the details about how to do this. Crush 1 fairly large clove of garlic and put it in 1 1/2 cups water. Whirl in a blender. Use this solution for a douche. I don't even bother to strain it! I sit on the toilet and do a slow douche. Afterward I don't even pat dry - just put on panties with a panty liner.
This cures vaginal yeast (maybe do it twice a day for 3 days) and I am hopeful that this is the answer for BV also.
The above solution should be the right strength. If you get it too strong it will burn a little for a short time.
You might be concerned that you will smell like garlic. Believe me, you won't smell! I don;t know why. Even my husband can't tell when I have done this.
This is easy and is the absolute CHEAPEST treatment you can try. Try it first before bothering with all the capsules, yogurt, and other stuff.
I pray that this will work for you!
Vanadium (Vanadyl Sulfate)
Posted by Joyce (Dallas, Tx) on 06/09/2011
★★★★★
I have been suffering with an ongoing yeast infection due to heavy antibiotics being used throughout the year for various issues. The two remedies that have worked the best and almost instantly like OVERNIGHT are Ted's 1/8 Tsp Borax in 1 Liter of water... And another one that I think I may have stumbled on by accident recently...
While the Borax remedy helped me instantly overnight, on the three days that I did not take the Borax, the irritation came back right away...
Well, I recently came across one of Ted's posts for weight loss and he mentioned Vanadium (Vanadyl Sulfate) to help control blood suger... So, I purchased some Vanadyl Sulfate online and began taking 200 mg for 4 days out of a week and 3 days off.
Since I've been doing this my yeast infection seems to be much less noticable now and is going away... I have not been drinking the Borax either... The only other supplement I've been taking is Keto 7 DHEA... So, I'm guessing it must be the Vanadium or Vanadyl Sulfate... I'm not sure why the Vanadium is helping me... But what a neat little discovery!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Esprit64 (North Yarmouth, Maine Usa) on 03/25/2011
Regardless of anything wrong with you, there are two keys to success: #1. Keep your body alkaline; #2. Make sure, either through good diet, good foot choices, supplements, etc. , that you are getting complete nutrition. If the body doesn't get the fuel it needs to work, it tries to keep up, but eventually gives out and creates disease. By keeping the body environment in optimum alkalinity, you further support good health.
My yeast (Candida overgrowth) problems manifest as mouth thrush, skin rashes and vaginal rashes. Coconut oil, used as oil pulling, ingested as 1 Tbsp/3x daily, and used topically (underarms and vaginal area) has been instrumental in stopping my problems and preventing them from occurring again. I have also used washes of 50/50 apple cider vinegar and water and baking soda paste (baking soda mixed with some water to make a paste).
If you've never suffered a vaginal rash problem, it is the worst itching/knife stabbing experience, very, very uncomfortable. So, to answer your question, give your body what it needs for its immune system to heal you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Becca (Atlanta, Ga, Usa) on 06/23/2011
★★★★★
I used the Q-Tip and ACV a few more times that evening and again the next morning. By the time I went to the doctor at 10:00 my yeast infection had COMPLETELY cleared up. I told the doctor about what I had done, and though she said that she wouldn't recommend it, she'd heard of several people doing it and it correctly the problem within 24 hrs. I feel so much better now!!!
Acidophilus, Vitamin E, Folic Acid
Posted by Sharon (San Antonio, Tx) on 01/16/2011
Hi Violet - The Acidophilus I took is 500 Million live cells per tablet. At first I took 2 tablets morning and night (along with the Vitamin E and folic acid), then I went down to 1 tablet as I felt better. Good Luck to you!
Boric Acid
Posted by Elusia (Boston, Ma) on 09/16/2010
★★★★★
I'm in my mid-30's and suddenly got a raging yeast infection about a month ago. Actually, it wasn't really suddenly - I think I'd had a low-lying infection for about 18 months because I was having terrible rectal itching at night (or itchy butt syndrome as folks here like to call it! ). Finally it turned into the real thing, and I was trying everything - oregano oil, coconut oil, the Monistat 7-day treatment. Nothing worked. So, I went off all carbs and have been eating only veggies and chicken/turkey and eggs. I also started taking high potency probiotics (50 billion/capsule, 2 capsules am and pm). And I added in the boric acid - 1 600 mg (00) pill that I fill myself with the powder I got from my compounding pharmacy. I've been doing it every night for 9 nights and plan to keep on doing it for 5 more. I also went out and bought all cotton panties. My goal has been to rid myself of this wretched thing before I get married next weekend and head to Hawaii for 2 weeks. I was determined to kick this thing before then - and so far it's worked. I'm not up all night because of the itching - in fact the itching is gone completely. I'm not ready to claw myself to pieces after intercourse. And no more discharge. I'm a happy gal after finding this site. Thanks to you all for giving me a happy honeymoon!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hannah (Plymouth, Uk) on 09/22/2011
★★★★★
I have been plagued for 2 years by the menace that is recurrent yeast infections. I had been clear for 7 months, but after a recent course of antibiotics it returned two days ago with a vengance. I did the usual OTC treatments and as per usual nothing. By last night I was ready to do some serious damage to myself. So my four hours of research into the early hours and finding this site has been rewarded. I ran down to my local health store first thing this morning, bought some ACV and hey presto! Itching massively reduced in just 20 mins. I also bought some acidophilus and other suppliments so fingers crossed it will go and stay away this time.
We think my boyfriend carries it as I never had it before being with him but he is always asymptomatic, and all the GYN tests are always negative for him and have only ever found it on me onece so I plan to introduce him to ACV in his water and the probiotics too. Will keep you updated. Thanks again.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jenn (Queens, Ny) on 12/14/2009
★★★★★
THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE!!!!!!!! Im 28 yrs old and I found this site about a week ago in search of relief for a yeast infection. Sorry if this is TMI, but if this helps another person then so be it!...I had extreme itching accompanied by sore rawness after that would just not go away. This went on for about 3-4 days progressivly getting worse. I used OTC Monistat 'one day treatment' that is supposed to be cleaner,faster working, and all together conveient, hense the title. Well i had relief, but only for 'ONE DAY'! The next morning I woke up itching again, so I googled the heck out of finding a natural remedy and found this amazing site.
I chose to try the ACV that the site recommended and just picked it up at my local grocery store.I also picked up a bottle of Acidophilis capsules. The first night I honestly didnt even measure the first amount of ACV i diluted in a glass of water, as I was just desperate for something to work. Then I took a Acidophilis capsule following the drink. Maybe it was just mentally expecting a difference but within about 30 minutes I felt like the itching decreased. So I drank another glass of AVC (minus the acidophilis) before bed (this time i measured about 2 tbsp in 8-10oz water)and by morning I was still slightly itchy but had decreased about 85%! On a side note my menstral cycle had been extremly off for a few months, as this had been a high stress year for me, but my last period was in mid October. Well that day, mid afternoon I began spotting. Did I kill 2 birds with one stone? lol...Now I don't know if the AVC induced my period or if I got it reguardless, but I will say that when I was a few hours late of taking my ACV I began to feel 'itchy' again, as I was taking the same dose (2 tbsp ACV in 8-10 oz water) once nightly.
It has been almost a week of the regimen Ive been using and had had my period full blown for about 4-5 days now. I am almost 100 % comfortable, but the very minor itching can also be caused by the blood alone...I will definatly keep you posted. I am now a believer in ACV! It has also regulated my BM's too...I never realized how good ACV was good for you..if you look at other ailments on this site you'll find ACV pops up quite a bit as a #1 remedy!
THANKYOU EARTHCLINIC :):):)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gail (Toronto, Canada) on 02/06/2011
★★★★★
For almost a week now ive had itchy, sore, annoying, vaginal annoyance. Some nights I cant take it. Tonight I had enough and thought I would read through this once more. I havent had a yeast infection in a while, and im pretty sure thats what it is.. Somehow the itch feels different.. But I couldnt take it! It was driving me absolutely mad!!! Normally every month before my period I get some sort of vaginosis.. Im sure my hormones throw it off. ive noticed the past few months its been really bad, since I gained weight.
anyhow.. tonight I grabbed a clean rag, dumped about 3 tbsps of Apple Cider Vinegar on it, ran water on it, and put it against my vagina. I felt a little bit of relief after a few mins.. but after about 5 mins, I thought I would try again with more acv.
after about a minute, it started to super sting. I suffered through it for another minute or two.. Removed the rag.. And theres no more itch. Thank heavens. I think I can go to sleep now.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Eh (Atlanta, Ga) on 09/08/2009
★★★★★
Grapefruit Seed Extract is an awesome product that I came to discover when I developed a terrible yeast infection from taking 2 rounds of antibiotics in one year, about 5 years ago. My docs could not even diagnose it, because it was what I would call "atypical yeast" -- not the typical symptoms, but rather an intense irritation and burning on the outside skin of my genitals. Anyway, I finally figured out that's what it was and went looking for natural treatments. BTW: you can do a search on GSE on the web and there are several websites that sell it, AND give VERY specific instructions on how to take it. But this is what I did: 10 drops GSE (in a empty capsule) 3 times/daily. (Be prepared to experience "detox" symptoms -- but mine were just a runny nose and a little headache). You could also douche with 5 drops/quart water. That is also recommended -- I did not, because my problem wasn't in my vagina, but on the outside. Since then, though, I have had "flare ups" with it again (got reinfected from my husband, actually, I think), and have used the douche - it gives almost instant relief -- a few times will almost cure it. But continue to use it -- I used it (decreased to 2x daily and then 1x daily) for months, for fear it it coming back. You can use it long-term without worring about it killing the good bacteria (or so they say), but I used a pro-biotic along with it (once/daily - spaced out 2 hrs between - very important!) You do not want to kill the good bacteria with the GSE... too expensive to do that! :o) Hope this helps! Oh! and the pet thing -- you can put it in their drinking water -- it is bitter so it may be difficult. But just give it maybe 2-3 drops and do it long-term... hopefully that will work. GSE has powerful anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I have used it for many applications, after reading all that you could use it for on a website. It really is amazing. Hope this helps you guys!
Tea Bags
Posted by Leah (Friendswood, Tx, United States) on 09/06/2009
★★★★★
There is one remedy I know of that works for yeast infections and doesnt burn like acv. It is regular tea bags. I dont know it stops the itching and irritation, but I m not sure if it cures it, I did this when I was on antibiotis and it worked. I wanted to take acidophillus, but I didnt know how it would interact with the antibiotics. What you do is:
1) boil some tea bags, black tea or chamomile, or whatever tea bags you have. I used Lipton and chamomile.
2) Get a douche bottle
3) Take the tea after it has cooled down and place it in the douche bottle, then douche.
4) After that, pack the tea bags into the vagina lips, not into the canal (DO NOT WRING THE BAGS OUT)
5) Get a maxi pad and place it in your panties so you dont leak, that would be embarrassing. It discreet enough that no one would know that you have them in there.
When you think the bags are drying out, replace them, of course wash up before doing this and after just in case of contamination. Oh yeah, and get a new douche bottle everytime or boil the one you have, although, I dont know if it can stand the boiling water, and not melt. Good luck, try this, it does work!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Laura (Ventnor, Nj) on 08/10/2009
★★★★★
I get yeast infections like crazy- I'm definitely a candida ridden person. My diet isn't terrible, yet I always get them! It may be related to my IUD- I think it gives me bartholin cysts from time to time too. I've tried all of the remedies listed here- the garlic, the yogurt on a tampon, ACV douches, peroxide douches, and everything else. The only, only thing that works for me is this: Coconut oil. I ingest a bunch of it (I eyeball it) approx 2-6 teaspoons. Over the course of about two days it's gone. It's the caprylic acid in the coconut oil. It kills yeast on contact. You can also apply directly to the source and it stops the itching and kills the yeast that way too- but definitely ingest it as the main yeast fighter. I use organic coconut oil, not the virgin one. The regular coconut oil works wonders on me, where the extra virgin coconut oil is only so-so. I put the oil in my coffee to mask the oilyness, and just drink it up. It's easiest that way. You can also put it on toast, or cook your food in it.
Yogurt
Posted by Lorelei (Austin, TX) on 07/02/2009
★★★★★
Once I started taking the birth control pill, I started getting fairly regular yeast infections. The over the counter remedies are messy and expensive and I was tired of it. I found many sites (including this one) that recommended using yogurt to cure the infection. I bought a 6oz cup of plain, unflavored, nonfat yogurt with live cultures. As soon as I got home a applied a little to the outside of my vagina and my vulva and the itch stopped immediately. I then made a frozen insert to use that night by using a plastic tampon applicator, filling it with yogurt, and freezing it. I inserted it right before bed and put on a pad to catch the melting mess. There really wasn't much at all - nowhere near as messy as the over the counter chemical/medicinal stuff. I felt totally cured the next morning, but continued use for another day just to be sure. Cheap, easy, and it WORKS!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Michelle (Jackson, Mi) on 09/07/2009
I just wanted to mention that hydrogen peroxide works on so much more that just bacteria. Just check out the hydrogen peroxide section on this site. I know from experience that it works on many other ailments including many skin rashes, canker sores and even athletes foot. I don't know personally if it works for yeast infection, but I don't think it's out of the question.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Jessica (Colorado Springs, Colorado) on 12/27/2009
I also wanted to mention that even though hydrogen peroxide may not have any direct effect on yeast and/or fungi, it is believed it has an indirect effect against fungus because it balances your pH balance like normal flora (good bacteria). Therefore making it a harder enviorment for yeast to grow in but a helpful one for the good bacteria that keep you healthy. It works well for jock itch, atheletes foot, and other fungal infections because of this reason.
Athlete's Foot Fungus Cream
Posted by Anita (Iceland) on 04/06/2016
In Iceland, this athlete fungus creme is prescribed for yeast infection :)
Information
Posted by Rob (San Fernando, California) on 06/19/2011
I have had a Eureka moment about this issue that I would like to share with you. I have noted that when women performed oral sex and intercourse followed right after, a yeast infection on the women followed soon. But when I changed that pattern and washed the penis after oral sex preceding intercourse, there was never a yeast infection. So my advise is to have the male wash his penis with soap and water after oral sex when intercourse is to follow. This is not a cure but a very powerful prevention tool. There may be other causes of yeast infection, but I've found that this was a major one.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Glitterberries (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA) on 12/09/2012
★★★★★
I was on antibiotics for strep thoat. They of course gave me a killer yeast infection. I tried diflucan, which usually works but it didnt this time. I started having to use anti itch creams and finally bought a monistat 1 day ovule and some external cream. The cream would work randomly and I felt like I was always putting it on. 2 days into that cream I had such a burning itch it was unbearable. I decided to finally put in the ovule and still no relief 2 days later. I came to this site and read about using apple cider vinegar and I figured why not try it. I tried it about 2 hours ago, I drank 2 table spoons in water and sat in a bath for a half an hour with a cup of it mixed in. I got the kind from trader joes since the health food stores that sell the completely organic kind are closed on sundays. All I can say is it is a MIRACLE!!!! For the last week I have had to live with cream on 24/7 and still have no relief. I can happily say that I have not itched at all since I drank it and took the bath. Its saying alot because I literally have not had to put any cream on either for this since I took the bath. I hope this keeps working because that was horrible!!!!! I even dabbed a little diluted ACV on the outside, even though it burned a little it feels sooooo much better. I reccomend this if everything else is not working for you!! Wish I would have known about this a week ago!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Chrissy (Akron, Ohio) on 06/16/2007
★★★★★
I get bacteria vaginitis like no other, or so I thought. So when my body started discharging in abnormal ways, I freaked out b/c it has never been like this before. I go to the doctor at least 3 times every 3 months for b.v. After doing some research I figured out it was a yeast infection. I didnt want to use the otc medicines b/c I have a sensitive body. I dont know how but I ran across this website and found the cure Apple cider vinegar. All I did was put about a 1/4 cup in warm bath water, and stayed in the tub for about 20 min. When I got out, I felt so much better, the itch (it was killing me) was gone and the discharged stopped. It is such a blessing to finally find something that got rid of this, and the natural way. I plan on doing this again tonight. I love this website, it is so amazing. Thanks!!!
Boric Acid
Posted by Karen (Wakefield, MA) on 01/12/2007
★★★★★
After 3 months of burning inside my vagina, with no other symptoms. Went to my dr. he did all the paps & test. I hav BV put on flagly. I worked for the first treatment. As soon as I went of the burning came back. Back to the dr. gave me a second round of flagly. I didn't finish and the burning came back. A third trip back and all tests were negative. Dr. thinks yeast is to blame. Sent me home with Difulcan ( l day pill) every three days. That did nothing. Now I'm three months and still burning, losing my mind. I start researching home remedies. Boric acid really worked. It didn't work until day four. But I woke up and no burning. Right now day 7 still no burning. I'll you keep posted. I was losing my mind. This is amazing!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sophie (Portland, Oregon) on 04/21/2012
★★★★★
I had itching yeast infections following antibiotics I ran a warm bath and pour in 1 cup of Natural Apple Cider Vinegar ( health section of the store ) and THEN I just relaxed for thirty minute , ACV is amazing it works so fast and in cooling and soothing the body it is wonderful in healer.
