Vaginal yeast infection

If 7 the acidity decreases, however, an infection can develop and the yeast will start growing out of control. When yeast begins to multiply, a yeast infection, or candidiasis, begins. There are many reasons why normal yeast may begin to multiply out of control—from moisture to lifestyle to disease to prescription drugs you may be taking to vaginal yeast infection irritation—and we’ll get into those causes in greater detail in the next section. For now, however, just keep in mind that not all cause of vaginal yeast infection vulvar itches signal a yeast infection. Read through the “Symptoms” section of this guide carefully to determine if you have this condition; and if you are unsure, as always, consult a vaginal yeast infection physician. If you do have a yeast infection, you’ll probably be experiencing any or all of the following: • White discharge that is thick and “cottage-cheesey” • Itching around the vaginal area • Swelling or inflammation of the area around the vagina • Pain during sex Perhaps this is your first time experiencing a yeast infection—but more likely it’s vaginal yeast infection been an ongoing saga in your life. Many women will experience chronic yeast infections due to elements of their lifestyle that can trigger this nasty little condition. And even doctors are not always able to successful treat infections on the first go. Yeast is very hardy and can be difficult to get under control, especially if you don’t do vaginal yeast infection your best to remove any external triggers. Thankfully, we know a lot more about yeast infections today than we used to, and we also know that prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines 8 (which don’t always work) are not our only options. The rest of this guide is devoted to helping you determine whether you’ve got an infection and, if vaginal yeast infection so, how you can safely and effectively bring your body back to its healthy, energetic state. 9 What Causes a Yeast Infection? So now you know what differentiates a yeast infection from other vaginal infections—the presence of too much yeast! But you may be wondering: if it is normal to have some yeast in the body at all times, vaginal yeast infection then why does the body get out of whack sometimes and let that yeast grow out of control? In this section we’ll discuss the main reasons why yeast is likely to grow too quickly.

My best recommendation is to take the bull by the horns and prevent the infection at its root cause—your diet. You need to change vaginal yeast infection the way you eat in order to change the way your body is reacting. By eating healthy foods you will boost your body’s ability to stay healthy, and by avoiding “bad” foods you will be depriving yeast of the things they need to thrive and multiply. When you do that, voila—your infection will disappear! I’ve already explained how wonderful vaginal yeast infection yogurt is as a topical treatment. Well, it works wonderfully as a part of your anti-candida diet, too! So don’t just apply the yogurt topically—eat it, too! The same acidophilus that will help in a topic application will also aid on recolonizing your GI tract and reestablishing a good balance of bacteria and yeast. You can also buy acidophilus vaginal yeast infection in capsule form in health stores. If you don’t particularly like yogurt, it may be easier for you to swallow it in pill-form. Whichever vehicle you choose, rest assured that you are on your way to better health. In clinical trials, women who ate yogurt with acidophilus every day had a significantly lower incidence of recurring yeast infections and vaginal yeast infection a lower amount of candida in the body. Try eating at least a cup a day and see how it works for you. Another duel-purpose treatment is garlic. I mentioned above that garlic may be used as a suppository, but it’s also practically a miracle food and you should consume lots of it. Chop it up in your salad, vaginal yeast infection bake it and smear it into a veggie “dip,” eat it raw, make garlic soup—however you like to eat it, just eat it! 38 This tiny bulb is packed with so much great stuff, and it works amazingly well to stave off infection and fight fungi. If you suffer from frequent infections, make garlic part of your regular diet vaginal yeast infection and I guarantee that you will start to feel better. So now you see, you can actually eat your way to better health! Aside from yogurt, there are plenty of delicious, nutritious foods that will help your body get back to an optimal state of health and prevent the recurrence of disease. Foods to eat regularly: • Cranberries • vaginal yeast infection Onions • Oats • Fish • Lentils • Cottage cheese and unsweetened yogurt • Unsalted nuts • Brown rice • Brussel sprouts • Chicken • Eggs • Soy milk • Herbal teas and pure water Make these a part of your regular diet! Eat organically vaginal yeast infection whenever you can. In general, to beat your infection you must vaginal yeast infection maintain a healthy diet that is low in sugary food (which yeast thrives on) and low in breads (again, anything “yeasty” is a feast for the yeast in your body).

Terazol is available by prescription in a 7-day or 3-day dosage, which you administer as you would any other cream, using an applicator, and it is also available vaginal yeast infection in a suppository form. Pros: 30 • If you choose the 3-day version you’ll spend less time treating your infection • More powerful (and more effective against fungus) than OTC treatments Cons: • Messy • Again, contains oils that can break down latex • May cause some side effects, including body pain and headache 31 My Safe and Effective vaginal yeast infection Multi-Step Home Remedy So now you know: OTC treatments are rarely all they’re cracked up to be, and prescriptions treatments may have some very undesirable side effects. Moreover, running out to buy a treatment every time you get a yeast infection can recurring yeast infection be very costly—especially if the treatment you’re using is not effective or, what’s worse, vaginal yeast infection even triggers further infections! Wouldn’t you rather treat your vaginal yeast infection with natural, home remedies that cost nothing or close to nothing, that won’t cause adverse reactions like some drugs can, and that are readily available to you? And wouldn’t it be great if your treatment plan included suggestions for small but vastly effective lifestyle changes that could vaginal yeast infection actually prevent you from getting infections again in the future? (Now what doctor is going to take the time to sit you down and talk about your lifestyle and how it affects your vagina?!) My multi-step home remedy is both super safe and extremely effective. The medical establishment likes to promote its pharmaceutical options because that’s how they make vaginal yeast infection the big bucks, but this treatment plan is, in my opinion and the opinion of thousands of other women, far superior. Let’s put it this way: it works by tackling your yeast infection at its root, not just by treating its symptoms. My treatment plan takes into account all the factors of your life and how things like stress vaginal yeast infection and diet might be causing your infections—and that kind of comprehensive approach is how you can effectively cure yourself. Intrigued? Well, I’m about to share with you my multi-step home remedy, from start to finish. I promise you, it works! I know from personal experience! So 32 if you’re frustrated by your recurring or persistent infection and you’ve tried vaginal yeast infection everything else, don’t give up! This is going to be the last treatment plan you ever need! Step 1: Get the Surface Problem Under Control If you’re suffering from a yeast infection, you’re probably going nuts from all that itching, burning and swelling. So your main priority is to get those symptoms under control. Well, there are several very vaginal yeast infection easy and effective ways to do that that don’t require any prescription drugs or a trip to the doctor’s office. All they require is a trip to your fridge, supermarket or health food store. The following are several highly effective and readily accessible natural treatments you can use to help relieve the surface itching and redness of a yeast vaginal yeast infection infection. • Yogurt The single most common home remedy for relieving the symptoms of a yeast infection is yogurt. That’s right—yogurt! But not just any yogurt—I’m not talking about the banana-strawberry flavored low-fat stuff. I mean unsweetened, plain yogurt that contains live cultures and—this is very important—acidophilus. Acidophilus is the good stuff that lives in the intestinal tract and vaginal yeast infection that keeps everything in working order. This is the stuff that is going to help keep the yeast under control. Given current trends toward (somewhat) healthier eating, you may be able to find this kind of yogurt in your local grocery store. If you can’t, however, try going to a health food store. To give yourself a simple and vaginal yeast infection effective yogurt topic treatment, use the yogurt the same way you’d use a vaginal cream. Use a syringe (with needle 33 removed) to squirt the yogurt up there, or make your own yogurt “suppository.” It’s easy: all you have to do is to freeze the yogurt so that you can easily insert it into your vagina. Try putting yogurt vaginal yeast infection into plastic tampon applicators or regular old cream applicators and then freezing them. Another great trick I’ve heard about is to use a plastic glove: put yogurt in each of the fingers and freeze. Then, when you’ve got your yogurt “suppositories,” insert them for some nearly instant relief. Plus, a side benefit of freezing the yogurt is that the vaginal yeast infection coolness will help soothe the heat of the inflammation in the vaginal area. Leave the yogurt in for a good long while, perhaps while you’re sleeping, and repeat once or twice in a day. Keep this up until your symptoms start to abate.

If you suspect you have a vaginal yeast infection, you might also want to go vaginal yeast infection through this “checklist” of common yeast infection symptoms that have to do with your entire body. If you say yes to most or all of these, you may have a yeast infection, and you need to treat it sooner rather than later. 17 • An itchy, red, burning or inflamed vulva and/or vagina, and thick white discharge • Sores vaginal yeast infection in the mouth or on the anus—remember, yeast lives in the mouth and GI tract in addition to the vagina! • Symptoms of infection between your toes (itchiness and irritating skin) • Irritable bowels, gassiness, abdominal how to get rid of yeast infection bloating • Cravings for sugary and yeasty food, including breads • Sore or rashy armpit skin—yeast vaginal yeast infection can colonize this area • Unexplained weight gain or loss • Depression or irritability • Fatigue • Excessive thirst • Blurred vision and poor memory • Skin problems, including acne If you are experiencing the above symptoms, if you feel generally tired, depressed, or just “not right,” your body is trying to tell you something. Listen to your body vaginal yeast infection and do something about it! And please remember that while these symptoms do signal a condition that you ought to do something about, they are not generally serious. They may be frustrating or uncomfortable, but they aren’t usually harmful. 18 How Is a Yeast Infection Diagnosed? Going to the gynecologist is not necessarily the most enjoyable activity, but it vaginal yeast infection is a good idea if you suspect you have a yeast infection. And the experience will probably be a lot more comfortable if you know what to expect! When you go to your doctor, he or she will examine the area visually and take samples to send to the lab. Your health care provider will use a swab to vaginal yeast infection take a sample from the genital area. The lab will look at the sample and test it for yeast.

Remember to keep your body’s health in mind, and know that you don’t have to give in. And guess what—after the yeast starts to die off, so will those cravings! Our bodies don’t need artificial substances and sugars to vaginal yeast infection keep us going— we just need healthy, natural fruits, veggies and proteins. Change your diet and you will be amazed by the beneficial changes you see and feel in your appearance and mindset! Keep Your Immune System Healthy If you have a disease or a chronic condition, such as HIV or diabetes, you may find that your incidence of vaginal yeast infection getting a yeast infection seems very high. This is because a weakened immune system does not act as a very effective barrier. 50 You’ve got to make an especially concerted effort to boost your immune system in order to stave off further infections. And even if you don’t suffer from a chronic medical condition, there are many elements of vaginal yeast infection today’s lifestyle that weaken our immune systems—without us even realizing it. The toxins in the air, pollution, mercury in our fish, and so on can all be hazardous to our health. It’s more important than ever that we make ourselves strong enough to fight off those dangerous elements in our environment. Stay healthy so you don’t need to take vaginal yeast infection antibiotics, which can raise your risk of infection. Exercise, eat well, get plenty of sleep, and drink lots of water. Avoid the “bad” foods I’ve listed above. Have fun learning to cook with organic foods, or experiment with healthy, great-tasting recipes. Go to a green market to select the best vegetables and fruits! It is also important to laugh, vaginal yeast infection enjoy your time with family and friends, and keep up a cheerful outlook on life. Happiness is actually a great antidote to ill health and can boost your body’s energy and resiliency. A weak immune system is a classic risk factor for yeast infection, so the best way to stave one off is to keep your body clean and vaginal yeast infection strong! De-stress Stress can actually compromise the health of your entire body by weakening that all-important immune system and throwing the good and bad yeast and bacteria out of whack. Also, when you are stressed you are more likely to eat sugary foods, which will make the yeast very happy but which is terrible for your health. 51 Therefore, vaginal yeast infection taking time out to relax should be an essential part of any good, comprehensive health program. I’m not saying you have to chant along with meditation tapes—I’m just saying that you should set aside time to do activities that you find soothing and relaxing. That can be anything from yoga to listening to classical music. Here are some particular vaginal yeast infection favorites of mine: • Going for a long walk or jog • Meditating • Cooking • Pilates • Reading • Sewing • Singing • Doing the Sunday crossword puzzle Make it a point to practice (ideally, on a daily basis) any relaxation technique that you find appealing. 52 Conclusion I how to get rid of candida hope that in vaginal yeast infection this book I’ve helped you see that you, and only you, are in control of your body. You have the power to keep it healthy like no doctor can! It is simple lifestyle and dietary changes that can make the difference between a healthy body and a weak, ailing one. Doctors’ prescriptions can make you feel better temporarily, but vaginal yeast infection those quick solutions are rarely the most effective options in the long run. Whenever something goes awry in your body and you get sick—whether it’s a flu, a skin condition or a vaginal yeast infection—it’s your body trying to tell you something. Taking a prescription medication is akin to putting tape over its mouth to stifle its voice! Isn’t vaginal yeast infection it better to listen carefully and to respond in a thoughtful, careful way? Now, I’m not saying that drugs are never helpful. Indeed, modern medicine has performed many miracles over the years. But when it comes to yeast infections, there is much today’s doctors don’t or won’t understand. A yeast infection is an indicator that something in your body vaginal yeast infection is out of whack. Perhaps a past dosage of antibiotics has wrecked the delicate balance of good and bad organisms in your GI tract, and you need to rebalance it. Perhaps your diet is too high in sugar and you need to find a healthier way to eat. Perhaps your daily stresses are just too much for your body vaginal yeast infection to handle, and you’ve got to find a way to relax. One of the best aspects of the home remedies I’ve outlined in this guide are that they will not only cure your yeast infection, they will also cure whatever else is ailing you and whatever it is that is causing your yeast infection in the first place. I’m vaginal yeast infection not just trying to help you get rid of those nasty symptoms; I’ve tried to 53 show you how a yeast infection is evidence that your body needs you to make some changes in your lifestyle. I hope you’ll give this holistic approach to your health a go. You may be surprised by your body’s natural ability to heal vaginal yeast infection itself, when given the proper nutrients, exercise and plenty of sleep. It is possible to get better without drugs! Try this system and see! I wish you the best of luck in your quest for better health!

They will also check the sample for indications of other vaginal infections. If you’re like most women you may be tempted vaginal yeast infection to self-diagnose. It’s important to keep in mind that getting a sound medical opinion is always a good idea, but you should also know that medical testing for yeast infections is not always accurate. Work together with your doctor and make sure that he or she understands your symptoms and your concerns. Remember, If you suspect that you have vaginal yeast infection a yeast infection, don’t hesitate to seek diagnosis and treatment. Some symptoms of yeast infections may be similar to those of certain STDs. It’s important to make sure that what you have is really an infection and not a sexually transmitted disease. Also, your doctor can help you decide what course of treatment is best in your particular case. vaginal yeast infection Sidebar: Can Men Get Yeast Infections? Yes, they can! Surprised? Well, of course we’re talking about general yeast infections or infections of the penis, not a vaginal yeast infection. 19 The very same yeast that causes yeast infections in women can cause an infection in men called balanitis. It is considered rare in comparison to its female counterpart. Most vaginal yeast infection of the time it afflicts uncircumcised men and occurs between the folds of the penile foreskin. Men who suspect they have an infection should consult their physicians for diagnosis and treatment options. 20 How Is a Yeast Infection Treated? Yeast infections are usually somewhat uncomfortable, unpleasant, and very irritating! The good news is that they aren’t generally serious. Still, vaginal yeast infection you will probably want to get rid of the infection as soon as possible so that you aren’t stuck with those nasty symptoms! Plus, you don’t want to pass it on to your sexual partner. If you’ve been diagnosed with a yeast infection, you’ve how to treat a yeast infection now got to consider all the various treatment options. vaginal yeast infection There are two basic paths you can take. First, you can go the medical establishment route, taking whatever medicine your doctor prescribes or by going to the drugstore to buy an OTC treatment. Second, you can help yourself with homemade and traditional remedies, which may actually be a lot more effective for you in the long-run. Option 1: Drugstore vaginal yeast infection and Prescription Treatments As far as prescriptions and OTC treatments go, yeast infections are usually treated with medicine that goes into your vagina to get the fast-multiplying yeast under control.

Introduction Did you know that three out of every four women will develop a yeast infection at some point in their lifetimes? In fact, this type of nasty vaginal yeast infection little infection is so common that you can walk right into just about any drugstore or grocery store and find a whole section devoted to over-the-counter treatments. So if you’ve got a yeast infection, take heart—you’re in very good company! But if you’re like most women who’ve suffered with the annoyance and discomfort of a yeast infection, you don’t vaginal yeast infection want to hear about how many other women have an infection, too. You just want to beat the sucker and get rid of that itchy, scratchy nuisance for good! You’ve certainly come to the right place. As you probably know, yeast infections can come on quickly—and stick around for a looong time. They can be hard to beat, even vaginal yeast infection with a doctor’s help! That’s because many prescriptions medications only treat the symptoms and can even aggravate the root cause of the infection. So isn’t there a better, more effective way to treat the infection? Yes! I know because I’ve suffered the embarrassment and misery of a vaginal yeast infection—many times over. Pretty soon I got tired of trying vaginal yeast infection OTC treatments and prescription medicines that never really worked the way I hoped they would. So I decided to do my own research, and I discovered some really amazing things in the process. And, best of all, I cured myself—safely and naturally, and without a prescription from my doctor! In this guide I’m going to share all that knowledge vaginal yeast infection with you and help you beat your yeast infection for good! I’ll explain exactly what a yeast infection is, what its symptoms are, and what the common medical treatment options are, all 5 of which is important because many women misdiagnose themselves. I’ll go over all the common causes and triggers so that you can learn what to avoid vaginal yeast infection and how to prevent re-infection. And at the heart of this book is the five-step plan I followed to cure myself, with detailed instructions on how you, too, candida yeast infection can beat your yeast infection. I’ll take you through each step, explaining exactly what to do and what not to do.

The discharge will vary a bit vaginal yeast infection in terms of color and consistency depending on the stage in the menstrual cycle. You will also experience discharge when sexually aroused, as the vagina lubricates itself. In general, this fluid should not cause your vaginal area to become irritated or inflamed. All of the kinds of discharge listed above are completely typical and should not be any cause vaginal yeast infection for alarm. However, certain types of discharge home remedy for yeast infection can signal a yeast infection, or another type of vaginal infection. You should consider the likelihood of having an infection if your vaginal discharge starts to look different than what I have described above. Yeast infections are often characterized by a thick, white, cottage-cheesy discharge. This is vaginal yeast infection rather different in nature from the usual thin, slippery, clear or milky white discharge. Discharge that indicates a yeast infection may be “lumpy,” and there may be a larger quantity of it than your normal discharge. 15 Other common symptoms of a yeast infection include a bread-y or yeasty odor, as well as itching, burning, redness and/or swelling of vaginal yeast infection the vaginal area (in the vagina itself and on the skin surrounding it). If you have a yeast infection you may also experience pain and/or a burning sensation during sex or when urinating. If you are experiencing discharge that is watery or foamy and grey or white in color, you may have bacterial vaginosis. Consult your doctor for more vaginal yeast infection information and to be diagnosed. 16 How Do I Know If I Have It? There are several very common and very recognizable symptoms of a yeast infection. While some of them may also indicate other vaginal conditions, these symptoms can generally give you a fair sign of when it’s time to seek treatment. They include: • Swollen, red, itchy vaginal yeast infection vulva • Thick white “cottage-cheesey” discharge (different from your body’s normal, everyday discharge) • Pain while having sex Modern medicine would have us believe that if you have these symptoms and you treat your vagina, you are cured! But did you know that yeast infections can affect your entire body—and not just your vagina? I’m not talking just about vaginal yeast infection vaginal yeast infections now. Remember when I said that yeast normally lives on the skin and in the mouth and intestinal tract? Well, when yeast starts multiplying out of whack in the body, it can spread everywhere throughout your system. It can get “lodged” in other parts of the body besides the vagina, and then you’ve got a whole vaginal yeast infection other host of problems to deal with.

As you may know from the countless TV commercials on this topic or from past experience, such medicine generally comes in the form of a cream that is inserted with an applicator into the vagina, or a suppository that you place in your vagina and that then dissolves inside your body. vaginal yeast infection In certain cases, particularly for recurring infections that don’t respond to the treatments above, doctors may prescribe an oral treatment, in the form of a pill that you swallow. 21 To help relieve the symptoms that you are experiencing while waiting for those meds to kick in, you can also buy creams that are designed to help relieve the vaginal yeast infection itching, burning, and inflammation. Option 2: Home and Traditional Remedies Now let’s talk briefly about the second route you can take, which involves bypassing most of the medical establishment’s prescriptions. We’re going to talk a lot more about this in the section on my multi-step home remedy, so for now let me just say that doctors often treat just vaginal yeast infection the symptoms and ignore the root cause of diseases. Maybe this is why so few doctors are able to make their patients’ vaginal infections go away for good! As many women have discovered for themselves over the years, certain home remedies and lifestyle changes are actually vastly superior to prescriptions and OTC medicines when it comes to curing a vaginal yeast infection yeast infection. In fact, in other parts of the world it is very common to use home remedies such as yogurt and tea tree oil to cure yeast infections. I personally find that yogurt is a fantastic treatment, but let’s say just for the sake of argument that the results of yogurt and, say, Monistat are just about equal. vaginal yeast infection Now, which would you rather flood your body with: natural, organic, delicious probiotic yogurt, or the powerful and potentially dangerous drugs that make up natural cure for yeast infection Monistat? We’ll talk more about all of this later. Moreover, in the case of yeast infections, it’s not enough to inject a cream into your vagina and get the yeast vaginal yeast infection under control there. It’s more important to understand why you developed a yeast infection in the first place. As I have discussed above, you should know that a yeast infection can be a systemic infection that affects your entire body and its functions, and not just 22 your vagina. So treating just the vagina is not necessarily the way vaginal yeast infection to cure yourself for good! However you decide to treat yourself, it’s important to remember that you should avoid sex while you have an active infection. Penetration can drive the yeast cells deeper and deeper into the walls of the vagina, causing more irritation and prolonging the infection.

On the same note, steer clear of tampons and remember to keep the area as clean and as able to breathe as possible. That means changing feminine pads frequently (at least every 4 natural treatment for vaginitis hours), wearing clean cotton underwear, and avoiding tight pants that stifle the area. 23 Over-the-Counter Treatment Products: Pros and Cons Over-the-counter, or OTC, treatments for yeast infections are incredibly common and are available in just about every drugstore or grocery store you go into. They are relatively inexpensive and widely available, so it’s no wonder that most women who think they have a yeast infection run out and buy one of the many OTC options. It doesn’t help that the airwaves are inundated with television commercials of pretty women complaining about yeast infections, then holding up boxes of drugs for you to buy. And flip open the pages of any women’s magazine and you’ll see plenty of print ads, too. Those companies want your money pretty badly, it seems! But buying an over-the-counter treatment is not always a good idea. First of all, if you have a vaginal infection that is not actually a yeast infection, trying to treat it with a yeast infection cream or suppository is not going to do you much good. Moreover, you could actually be increasing your body’s resistance to these treatments, so that when you need them later on they won’t work as well. Treating yourself for a yeast infection when you don’t actually have a yeast infection is, well, just no good for your body at all. Moreover, OTC medicines are not meant for every woman. If you are under the age of 12 or you are pregnant, avoid OTC medicines and consult your doctor about treatment options. The same goes if you are breastfeeding—drugs in your system may be secreted in your breast milk. This is true even if you are using a topic drug and not one that you take orally, because topical medicine is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. 24 Fungicidal creams are perhaps the most readily available OTC treatment options. Monistat is the best-known name, and you’ve probably seen their commercials on TV or in magazines. Monistat and other similar creams contain an antifungal drug called tioconazole. When you insert this antifungal cream into the affected area, it will go to work attacking the yeast. Usually, creams come in a package with several applicators. You put the cream in the applicator and then insert the applicator into the vaginal area and apply the cream as directed. The cream will stay “up there” for some time. You must repeat this process anywhere from 1 to 10 times, depending on the kind of cream you buy (1-day treatment, 3-day treatment, or 7-10-day treatment).

Also, the hormonal changes brought on by diabetes may also be a factor in the incidence of yeast infection. Antibiotics and Other Prescription Drugs 11 Antibiotics are meant to kill off certain elements in the body that are causing disease or discomfort. While antibiotics may be recommended to you by a doctor, you should keep in mind that they kill off bacteria indiscriminantly, the good along with the bad. Since good bacteria actually help to keep yeast in check in a normal, healthy vagina, taking antibiotics can lead the way to a yeast infection. In fact, yeast infections are quite common in women who have recently had a round of antibiotics. Even if you took antibiotics as a child and you are now a young adult, your body could still be “out of whack” as a result! Feminine Hygiene Products As you can probably imagine, douching too often or leaving a tampon in place for too long can wreak havoc on the delicate PH level of the vaginal environment. chronic yeast infection The vagina has a natural acidity level that the body regulates on its own. You do not need to “clean” it out using douches or feminine sprays, and you should not do anything to compromise it. Remember, feminine hygiene companies are trying to make money by selling their products; don’t buy into the hype. Your vagina, when kept healthy, will regulate itself and does not require external “cleansers.” Tight Clothing “Choking” your crotch with a tight pair of jeans or a pair of nylon stockings is a surefire recipe for a yeast infection. This is because tight clothing suffocates the vaginal area and does not allow it to breathe. This in turn results in a change to the level of acidity “down there.” 12 On the same note, synthetic fabrics are not a good choice for underwear, because they trap the air against your body, not allowing it to circulate and breathe. Avoid synthetic underwear, nylons and pants, all of which can trigger an infection. If you must wear nylons on occasion, just try not to wear them every day. Give your body a chance to breathe. This is especially important in the summertime, when the hot, humid air can make the situation down there even worse.

There are several common causes, and some of them are easier to deal with than others. The thing they all have in common is that they derive from a change in the acidity of the vagina. As I mentioned earlier, the acidic environment is what normally keeps the yeast in check. So if something happens that changes that healthy level of acidity, yeast can really have a field day, multiplying without a limit and therefore causing an infection to occur. Certain causes are natural events you have no control over. For example, menstruation, pregnancy, and diabetes can all lead to yeast infections. Steroids and birth control pills can also be a trigger; so can antibiotics, which disrupt the natural environment of the vagina by killing off good and bad cause of yeast infection bacteria. Other triggers have to do with things you could easily change in your everyday life. Wetness or irritation around the genitals is a major factor, so you should always avoid wearing too-tight underwear and wet bathing suits, or using vaginal products (douches, sprays, etc.) that irritate the delicate vaginal area (much more on this later). In fact, something as seemingly harmless as taking a bubble bath after a stressful day at work could actually be triggering your uncomfortable, itchy condition! 10 Now let’s discuss each of the major causes in greater detail. Pregnancy and Menstruation When your body goes through a massive change like pregnancy, or when it undergoes a monthly flux in hormone levels, your vagina does not escape unscathed! Pregnancy and your period can both cause the level of acidity in your vagina to change, and that, as I’ve explained above, can trigger an infection to occur. Stress Anything that stresses your body—from the everyday stresses of your job, for example, to a lack of sleep to a poor diet to that irritating relative who’s coming over for dinner—can raise your chances of developing an infection. This is because stress lowers the body’s resistance to infection and weakens the immune system. Therefore, getting plenty of sleep, having proper nutrition and staying calm can all help you avoid a yeast infection. Diabetes and Obesity There is some evidence to suggest that consuming foods high in sugar and drinking lots of alcohol can trigger yeast infections due to the high sugar content in the urine. (And yeast overgrowth can actually be a cause of weight gain!)

Eat lots of leafy greens to keep your intestinal tract clean and in superior shape, and consume plenty of fruits and other veggies. Also, be sure to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, which is one of the easiest ways to maintain all of your body’s essential functions. 39 Foods to avoid: • Processed cereal, especially sweetened cereal • Soda and sweetened fruit drinks • Honey and sugar • Products containing white flour • Salted, cured meat (sausage, bacon, etc.) • White rice, pasta, white bread • Fermented foods, like pickles • “Moldy” food, like bananas and mushrooms • Coffee and caffeinated tea Step 3: Strengthen Your Immune System It’s not just what you eat or what you apply to your skin that can help stave off future infections. It also depends on your state of mind and whether or not you take the time to keep your whole body in good shape. Modern medicine so often fails to take into account the externals, such as whether you are getting enough sleep, how much stress is present in your daily life, whether you exercise regularly, and so on. Well, I’m here as proof that all of these factors play a huge role in how healthy your body is—and, therefore, how susceptible you are to vaginal infections and other diseases. Yeast infections, especially when they recur, are a sign of a weak immune system, so you should not stop at simply treating the symptoms. Instead, you have got to reassess your body’s health and its ability to ward off disease and further infections. You’ve got to make some changes so that you get your body yeast infection cure back into good shape. 40 Do yourself a favor and make your health a priority in your day to day schedule. It’s so easy to slack off and let your body go, but if you do so you are really compromising your health in many ways. Eating lots of sugar does not just result in obesity; it also lets the yeast run rampant throughout your system, causing depression, blurred vision, irritability, skin conditions, slow healing of cuts and scrapes, insomnia, and so on. Eat right, and exercise regularly, because these things will improve your health and reestablish a healthy, strong immune system. Establish a routine for yourself, and then stick to it. Pick a physical activity (or activities) that you truly love, so that you’ll feel inspired to do it. Vary things up to make it interesting: try yoga one day, jogging the next, cycling the third day, and so on. You will also need to eat right and introduce vitamins and supplements into your diet. Why? Because otherwise it is nearly impossible to get all the nutrients that your body needs for you to nurse yourself back to health. So pay attention to the following information about essential supplements. You can find them all at your local health food store: Essential fatty acids: One common misconception that lots of people have is that fats are bad for you and should be eliminated from a healthy diet. Not so! Certain fats are actually “lubricants” that keep the body’s systems functional, and so you’ve got to make sure you’re getting enough of the essential fatty acids. I’m not talking about the kind of fat that comes in a candy bar, of course—I’m talking about the fats you get from fish, avocados, and supplements.