Thrush, Yeast Infections and Natural Remedies
What is Thrush?
Thrush is the common name for a vaginal yeast infection that is also known as Candida. It is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and it affects most women at some time in their lives.
Yeast (Candida) is always present in the vagina, but certain conditions can cause it to grow rapidly out of control.
Signs and symptoms
Itching, burning, soreness and / or irritation of the vagina are the most common symptoms
Painful urination
Painful intercourse
Yellow / white discharge (resembling cottage cheese) may occur but is not always present
Causes
- Stress – lowers the immune system if long term and / or extreme
- Pregnancy – can lower the immune system
- Diabetes
- Antibiotics – destroy friendly bacteria
- Oral contraceptives – can lower the immune system
- Compromised immune system
Conventional Treatment Strategies
Drugs such as Clotrimazole or Fluconazole (either in tablet, vaginal cream, or suppository form).
Complementary Treatment Strategies
Eat plain yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus daily, or put the yoghurt in the vagina during an attack (put a teaspoon on a tampon and place it in the vagina overnight, for five to seven nights).
Avoid refined carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol and other yeast products since they encourage the proliferation of thrush.
Supplements such as lactobacillus acidophilus and other probiotics that are specially formulated to treat this condition.