Natural Remedy for Vaginal Yeast Infection

Can Vaginal Candida be Treated Naturally?

Jul 29, 2009 Kristie Leong

Vaginal yeast infections are one of the most common gynecologic infections among women. Is there a way to treat them naturally?

Vaginal yeast infections are surprisingly common. It’s estimated that three-quarters of women will experience one at some point in their life. Effective prescription and over-the-counter medications are available for treating yeast infections, but many women prefer to take a more natural approach. Is there a natural remedy for vaginal yeast infection that really works?

Are Probiotics a Natural Remedy for Vaginal Yeast?

Some alternative treatments for vaginal yeast infection have shown promise; although large scale, randomized, controlled trials haven’t been carried out to document their effectiveness. Several small studies have shown that using probiotic vaginal suppositories containing the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus is effective for treating vaginal yeast infections, although other studies have been less impressive. It’s not surprising that probiotic vaginal suppositories could have some benefit since the “good” bacteria they contain help to maintain a vaginal environment that discourages the growth of yeast. Although oral probiotics are readily available, probiotic vaginal suppositories are more difficult to find which could limit their use.

Boric Acid as a Natural Remedy for Yeast

Another type of natural remedy that’s shown some promise for treating vaginal yeast infection are boric acid suppositories. Boric acid is a colorless, odorless powder that has antiseptic, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It’s the antifungal properties that could make it effective for treating vaginal yeast infections. Although no large scale trials have proven the efficacy of boric acid suppositories, some small studies have demonstrated improvement rates of up to eighty percent and one study showed them to be more effective than conventional antifungal treatments. Boric acid suppositories still have their drawbacks. They can cause vaginal irritation in some women and are poisonous if used by mouth.

Other Natural Remedies for Vaginal Yeast Infections

Other natural treatments that have been proposed, but have little documented evidence to support their effectiveness are the use of diluted tea tree oil, raw garlic, or myrrh. All of these compounds have antifungal properties, but it’s unclear whether they can actually kill vaginal yeast. Vinegar douches are also sometimes used for treatment of vaginal yeast with varying degrees of success. Vinegar appears to work by altering the pH of the vagina creating a hostile environment for yeast.

A Word of Caution

Before using any type of natural remedy for vaginal yeast, see a doctor for a definitive diagnosis. The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar to other types of vaginal infections that would require a different type of treatment. In addition, frequent or persistent yeast infections can be a sign of an underlying medical problem such as diabetes and should be evaluated by a doctor.

The Bottom Line?

There are natural remedies for vaginal yeast infection available, but whether or not they’re effective is still unclear. If these natural treatments fail to work, conventional therapy may be needed.

References:

J Clin Microbiol. 33:1433

Diabetes Care. February 2007 vol. 30 no. 2 312-317

The copyright of the article Natural Remedy for Vaginal Yeast Infection in Women’s Health is owned by Kristie Leong. Permission to republish Natural Remedy for Vaginal Yeast Infection in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Vaginal yeast infections are very common in women.