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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Zanny (New York, NY) on 06/07/2010
★★★★★
so....I inserted the yogurt for about a week and that didn't cure the extreme itchiness. On day 5 I decide to try the hydrogen peroxide. I did 1 teaspoon of the hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup of warm water, stirred it up and filled a baby medicine dropper with the mix. Inserted that. It did sting a little and I was concerned and I also didn't feel well all day. BUT it went away. Results were almost immediate. I don't know if it is safe and I hope I never have to do it again.
Important to note; I did get my period back after trying this. I am not sure if it is because of the hydrogen peroxide or if it is due to my thyroid issues. If you experience spotting as well, this may be a bad idea to do and you should see your doctor instead.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Anaïs (Paris, France) on 06/06/2010
★★★★★
Tea tree oil helps for yeast infections, both as prevention and early-stage cure. For prevention, simply apply a few drops on the bikini area after washing morning and evening. If you notice the first signs of a yeast infection, take a tampon, apply a few drops of olive oil, or almond oil, or best of all St John's wort oil (which has soothing properties) on the tip. This will render it less absorbant. Then add 2-3 drops of Tea tree oil and insert the tampon for the night. You can do this again in the morning. If the infection is caught relatively early, works like a charm! Better than garlic, yoghurt, ACV - at least, in my experience.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Shampoo (Los Angeles, Ca) on 01/26/2012
Coconut oil is awesome!!! It does help with infection, and eases symptoms. It can also make sex comfortable again, and is a great Lube!! (but probably won't cure an ongoing infection. I use it in conjunction with other things. ) It smells great too!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anniern (Gill, Massachusetts) on 08/31/2011
After reading many of these posts about yeast infections and cider vinegar, I think it's important for someone to point out that while diet is important and maintaining an alkaline environment in the body is important too, the reason the vinegar works is because the vagina itself is not alkaline at all. The vinegar helps restore the balance of the naturally acidic conditions in that region.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Virginia (Stillwater, Oklahoma Usa) on 01/20/2010
★★★★★
After many, many rounds of antibiotics I got a horrible yeast infection (Candida Albicans) The itching was so intense that I couldn't sit down. I was pacing around my house. Never in my life have I had such intense itching! In desperation I grabbed a washcloth and poured a small amount (maybe 2 tablespoons of ACV on it then ran the tap water over it briefly to saturate the cloth and held it on my genital area. The itching stopped IMMEDIATELY! No burning for me, just relief. Thank you Ted for being here.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Casslynn (Cedar Falls, Iowa) on 02/14/2010
Miara- I am just wondering how many living cultures are in the acidophilus you mixed with the coconut oil. I take a probiotic capsule that contains 50 billion live organisms and was wondering if one or two capsules at that strength might be enough. I suffer from chronic yeast infections, about 3 every 2 months, and just discovered the soothing effects of coconut oil about a month ago! I have also been on the candida diet (no sugars, grains, or dairy) for about 3 weeks now because I just can't handle the constant discomfort anymore. I have an infection right now, and I am trying out your recommendation! Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kiya (Augusta, Ga) on 12/31/2009
Hello all, ever since I got pregnant with my daughter earlier this year I have suffered from yeast infections. So far I have had 4 this year and the only comfort I have found for them was cranberry pills and tons of water. I figured that once I had her the yeast infections would go away but they did not. Right now I have one that just started yesterday. I usually be in so much pain and itchy I decided I had to find a better remedy as the cranberry pills took a few days to work. I just now heard of the Apple Cider Vinegar remedy and luckily my mom bought a whole bottle of it a while back. It's never even been opened. I just tried dipping a q-tip in some diluted apple cider vingear and it does burn a little but already just about 3 minutes in I can feel it slowly fading away. I do intend on taking an ACV bath and soaking for a while. I will update and let everyone know how fast it goes away. This remedy came just in time, I thought it was going to ruin my New Year ;D.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lovely09 (Englewood, New Jersey) on 02/24/2010
when u r applying the apple cider vinegar..do apply it into the vagina??and does it cure the discharge and the cramps too??
Yogurt
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 08/08/2010
Actually inserting plain yogurt in your vagina is a disaster, don't do it!! I did it 3 times over the course of years of struggling with this, and it made things WORSE everytime. However consuming yogurt is awesome. Eat lots and lots of yougurt and take a good probiotic. I make my own yougurt, and by eating alot of it, (and its wonderful and tastes better to make your own) I keep things at bay
Yogurt
Posted by Sherry (British Columbia) on 03/15/2016
★★★★★
I find inserting the yogurt (greek) works very well for me. I use an applicator I had left over and squeezed some yogurt in it and inserted it at bed time. I also rubbed some externally,,, however wore underpants with panty liner as well. Works like a charm for me.
Yeast-Free Diet
Posted by Barbara (Toronto, On, Canada) on 12/16/2009
★★★★★
Yeast free diet cured me of yeast infections
I used to have recurrent painful, debilitating yeast infections. I would sometimes get a red rash as well. The treatment was a three day dose of Sulpha tablets followed by yeast infections inserts and cream. This worked but began to deplete my energy and immune health after a while. On a whim one day I decided to try giving up yeast. This was five years ago and since that day I have not had a single yeast infection. It is hard to give up yeast. Not only is it in almost all processed foods, it is also hidden. Enriched flour, citric acid, soy sauce, vinegar, natural flavor and and vitamins is how it is added and hidden in most foods. I make all my own foods basically and that is alot of work( fortunately I love to cook) but the pay off is that I am completely free of yeast infections and my immune health is so strong that now if I do occasionally eat yeast containing food I do not get infections and my body will naturally clean itself out within a few days.
A healthy (low or no sugar, salt and bad fats, preferably vegetarian or vegan )yeast free diet is the easiest way to cure yourself of this ailment and it works. I also eat alot of acidic fruit like kiwi, cranberries and eat alot of greens which helps alot as well.
For vegans- watch out for soy products (soy milk, meat, dairy) as they almost always contain yeast. It is added as Vitamin B12 or D and labeled as such or sometimes as "natural flavoring".
Also- nutritional yeast is okay but you need to boil it for 20 minutes to kill any living yeast and use it only occasionally. It is an inactive yeast but can still cause yeast to overgrow in your system. It is common in vegan food as a Vit B12 supplement and flavoring additive.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Arimian (Port Of Spain , Trinidad) on 01/21/2011
★★★★★
Hi,
I used raw potato juice for three mornings and yeast infection is completely gone. Because of an Existing liver problem(inflammation) yeast was very difficult for me to get rid of no matter what I did. I kept praying to find a natural solution that is fast acting. Looking for a solution for the liver problem I read about using raw potato juice on this site. Here is the recipe:
3-4 uncooked (raw) medium potatoes
First off ensure potatoes are mature by giving the skin a "dig" with your fingernail or a knife to ensure there is no tinge of green under the skin (this green stuff is toxic I understand). DON'T PEEL THE POTATOES. Scrub the skin well to remove any embedded dirt. If you've got a juicer Cut up and juice, OR grate on a kitchen grater, collect grated potato in bowl. Get a clean kitchen towel and put Grated potato in towel and squeeze contents over empty bowl to collect juice. Pour into glass (I used an 8ounce )add a little water to dilute, just a bit, and sweeten with some honey to make more pleasant to drink. Take this on an empty stomach and don't eat anything for at least one hour after.
I did this first thing on a morning for 3 mornings, and it was my husband who alerted me to the fact the yeast was gone as I had kept reinfecting him every time. This is since early December and no sign of yeast. I stopped using the potato after this and still no sign of yeast. Thank God. It worked really fast and well and seems to be permanent.
Boric Acid
Posted by Dee (Charlotte, Nc) on 09/21/2009
★★★★★
I am a 27 year old female who has suffered from a raging yeast infection for the past six months. I tried everything, and I mean EVERYTHING to get rid of this infection and it would not go away. I took the one-dose diflucan pills three times and used a prescription cream once. These treatments used to help, but this time they did nothing. I then turned to alternative meds. At one time, I was taking oil of oregano drops, pau d'arco drops, garlic pills, capyrilic acid pills, doing apple cider vinegar douches, and following a low sugar/bread diet. This did not alleviate my symptoms at all. I had basically given up hope at this point and the yeast infection was seriously affecting my sexual relationship with my husband. I was sore and itchy all of the time and I had a serious amount of discharge. I tried the boric acid suppositories as a last resort. I had been afraid to use them before because of toxicity of the boric acid. After thoroughly researching, though, I realized that they were only toxic when taken internally and not intravaginally. Well, I bought the boric acid powder at the pharmacy (it was difficult to track down though, you might find it easier to order it from Amazon.com) and I actually used grapeseed extract capsules to fill. I just opened the capsules and dumped out the grapeseed extract and filled them with boric acid powder. This was MUCH cheaper than buying the empty capsules and just as effective. Now these capsules may be smaller than the OO empty ones and I also used half of the recommended dosage (one half-full pill every night for two weeks). I was still a little scared when I began the treatment, which is why I used less. I would recommend trying the lower dosage and then increasing the dosage if you respond well to avoid unecessary irritation. Well, within a week, my symptoms had drastically improved. After the two week treatment, my symptoms had disappeared. They later returned after my period and I had to continue treatment for another week (same low dosage). For me, the boric acid is more of a treatment than a cure (I often have to resume treatment when the infection returns), but it is the only thing that has given me relief from my symptoms. I am SO glad that I discovered this treatment. Just remember that you cannot take them orally, only as a vaginal suppository. I don't usually write testimonials, but I felt that I had to share this in case anyone found themselves in the same situation that I was in.
Boric Acid
Posted by Wisdom71274 (Springfield Gardens, New York, Usa) on 05/30/2011
Dear, Betty from Salt Lake, Ut,
First off Wikipedia is a open access public database, which means anyone can post anything on there and it doesn't necessarily mean it is true. In other words it is not a scholarly source. College students are not allowed to use it in their research for that reason.
Second there is validity to what you're saying about the boric acid acid being dangerous but do the research before replying. It is safe to use for the purpose of yeast infections.
Lastly, you wrote that you are all for natural cures (homeopathic medicine). Homeopathy is based on similars. Therefore the treatments are like the problem or illness. One of the main ingredients in many homeopathic preperations is ARSENIC.
Boric Acid
Posted by Dee (Wixom, Michigan) on 12/23/2011
Sorry Betty. Dr. Jack Sobel, a leading BV specialist and an infectious disease specialist at Wayne State University, MI with a thriving personal practice of booked clinics prescribes 600 mg '00' boric acid gelatin capsules as a treatment for BV that doesn't respond to drug therapy and for chronic yeast infections (it kills both). Initial treatment involves two capsules, one morning and one night for one week. His clinical research is widely published and greatly respected. He is an authority on a subject that clearly needs greater attention in the medical community.
Compounding pharmacies call this 'an oldie but goodie' remedy for vaginal bacterial infections and those who cannot take azole drugs for yeast infections. It's been used for some time and the medical contradictions are only for those who use it incorrectly (do not ingest it) which is far less than ALL the side effects associated with the current drug therapies. It is well documented in the drug accomanying literature that the most commonly prescribed anti-fungal fluconazole (brand name Diflucan) damages the liver at high enough concentrations from prolonged use and anyone who has taken the antibiotics for BV can attest to the long list of nasty side effects and recurrence.
You wouldn't drink a glass of pure bleach, but to make contaminated water safe to drink, it is added to kill bacteria. This is much the same. Take vaginally; do NOT ingest by mouth.
Boric Acid
Posted by Michail (Atlanta ) on 01/04/2017
Look at the CDC website
https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/references.htm#a380 search for boric acid.
Reichman O, Akins R, Sobel JD. Boric acid addition to suppressive antimicrobial therapy for recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Sex Transm Dis 2009;36:732–4.
Sobel JD, Chaim W, Nagappan V, et al. Treatment of vaginitis caused by Candida glabrata: use of topical boric acid and flucytosine. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;189:1297–1300.
Nuff said.
Acidophilus
Posted by tamara (washington, dc) on 07/13/2009
★★★★★
Something I tried for a recurring yeast infection that worked 10 years ago and I never had it again may work for BV but I can't try it because my monthly was not regular and now I don't have one. Take 2 acidophilus pills (normal dose in the bottle)for the 2 nights before your period starts and 2 nights after they end. My doctor told me acidophilus won't work for BV but this is better then inserting them vaginally and bleeding. I don't know how long to take them. I took them for 6 months and it also helped my constipation. Ten years later I am still regular were I never was before. So this will defintely help yeast infections and regularity. My thought is that acidophilus is good for the vaginal flora which SHOULD be good for BV but I can't test it.
Yogurt
Posted by Rebel (Raleigh, Nc) on 10/20/2014
OMG, I just have to say freezing the yogurt in a tampon applicator is GENIUS!! Thanks for the idea!
Boric Acid
Posted by Leila (Lilburn, Georgia) on 06/22/2009
★★★★★
Boric acid suppositories cured my yeast infection. I've always had occasional minor infections on my skin, but shortly after I started having sex and got on birth control, I begin to get vaginal yeast infections. At first the cream worked, but the infection returned. Then then doctor prescribed a single fluconazole pill, which had the same effect. Then, I returned for a week long treatment of the high dose pills, also helping only to have it return later. Eating yogurt and using the yogurt douche as a preventative only temporarily helped. Soon I had a raging infection, including thrush and sore joints, that seemed incurable. The "spit test" confirmed it was a bad one (spit into a cup of water beside your bed first thing when you wake up. If "legs" or strings form down from the spit immediately then it's BAD. Floating debris can indicate an infection too. Look it up.) Going off birth control was my absolute last option and a no sugar or bread diet just wasn't working, but these doctors visits were expensive and ineffective so far. Instead, I decided to use the boric acid suppositories that a friend told me about. I used 600mg at night for 12 days (I meant to do 14) and so far it's worked well. I plan on doing it twice a week preventatively and I'm also taking an over-the-counter probiotic on top of yogurt to help with keeping the systemic yeast in check.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kimberly (Lewisville, Texas) on 05/04/2009
★★★★★
acv cured my insane yeast infection. i am 37 years old and i have never had a yeast infection, until this month. after taking some antobiotics i developed a yeast infection. WOW! i tried monastat 7 and a yeast cleanse from my local health store. well, the yeast cleanse seemed to worked for a while , so i stopped. 2 days later my vaginal area was a deep red, itching , discharge , and unbearable. i could barely function. i found this acv cure on this web site and tried it. i read through a few posts to see what worked for others. so,i did a couple of things. i combined 12 to 16 oz of water with 2 tablespoons of acv and drank it 3 times a day. for immediate relief on my extrenal vaginal area i took a damp wash rag and put about 2 tablespoons of acv on it and held it on my vaginal area for a few minutes. it burned like no other for about 2 or 3 minutes , but i had IMMEDIATE RELIEF. you could actually see the color of my skin go back to normal. thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! my extreme pain is now a extreme relief. thank you to this site for your awesome information
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bv (Los Angeles, Ca) on 01/10/2010
With an odor and no cottage cheese discharge and having just started having sex, its very possible what this poster was experiencing was bacterial vaginosis and not a yeast infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ellie (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) on 02/22/2009
★★★★★
Latley I've been suffering from an on coming yeast infection. I came here to look for something and after reading about all the yeas for acv I decided to try it. I put about two tablespoons of acv and the rest warm water in a perri bottle and rinsed myself with it (alittle bit inside but mostly out). Anyway I did that about 35 minutes ago and as of right now I feel a lot better!
Athlete's Foot Fungus Cream
Posted by Barbara (Dallas, TX) on 02/14/2009
★★★★★
Relief from vaginal itching: Believe it or not you will expience relief from itching overnight with a simple cream for athlete's foot fungus. I even used it on diaper rash on my kids--cleared it up overnight!
Garlic
Posted by Keri (Mississauga, Canada) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★
Hi guys, I thought I always had yeast infections and accepted it as a part of life but one day I decided to go to the doctor.I found out I had a combination of excess yeast and bacterial vaginosis. The doctor prescibed me diflucan and flagil, and like a dummy; I took both. For the first few days, sex was fine, but then after my period, it was like all hell broke loose.
I found out that garlic kills yeast, so I inserted garlic vaginally overnight, and the yeast was gone!, it was painful, but well worth it. The only problem was that the fishy smell persisted. I came across this website and started taking 1mg of folic acid daily, 3 acidoliphus (however you spell it) pills, and tons of activia yogurt daily. Now, my vagina is healthy and I am happy!
My message here is...garlic kills yeast and folic acid with probiotics kills bacteria, oh yeah, and easy on the sugar ladies.
General Feedback
Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 01/24/2009
I found that when I switch to organic cotton panties that I stopped having yeast infections. I also started using dye-free, fragrance-free, natural laundry soap and that has helped to.
Honey and Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Rose Moran (Lompoc, California) on 12/30/2008
★★★★★
HONEY and Tee tree oil saved me from going outta my mind...after suffering a bout with yeast infection and trying over the counter cures it came back and nothing worked...I was about to go to the doctors for anti biodics which they say is bad when in desperation I did another search on yeast infections.I had tried vinegar,even organic, peroxide and creams from the store but I was in so much misery and could not stand it.....One web page said lather in honey and wait 10 minutes... I waited 15 or more and you could just feel the pain and itch subside... after rinsing you apply tea tree oil and I slept like a baby. It took two applications of honey and needless to say I LOVED HONEY. I would reccomend it highly.
Honey and Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Jillery (Rawlly, NC) on 05/31/2014 84 posts
Thanks for all this great information. and btw I don't feel you did too much TMI... this is our body and our bodies have orifices... not gross... just natural. I have had ongoing yeast issues and I will try some of the essential oil (diluted) approaches too. my yeast currently is breaking out on my crack around my (large. lol) butt. I used to get yeast infections around my clit! Annoying!! Things will go well for a few days or weeks or months and then things happen up again.
I do think my partner and I give it back and forth also. we have been treated for bv although his docs said his treatment was unnecessary. LOL. what dopes. I read that ongoing yeast infections can be a warning of having diabetes eventually so I am working on more of a palio diet.
Everyone's body is different. it took me about 5 months to get rid of the rosecea I had but trying different methods from EC. but it's gone now. I make a list of all the treatments that speak to me and slowly go down the list.
Really happy I found Earth Clinic.
Jillery!!!
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Roberta (Los Angeles, CA) on 12/20/2008
★★★★★
So I get reoccuring Yeast Infections, when i take Antibiotics, when i'm sick, sometimes around my period. Usually I just sit them out and consume lots of yogurt and take some apple cider vinegar. But the itching and burning just kills me, so i got restless and tried something rash. I was in the shower, and i figured what the hell, so i put a capful of some 80% rubbing alcohol on my "lips" and there was a very strong burning sensation, so i rinsed immediately and just as i had regretted it, i noticed the burning and itching were completely gone. the next day it came back a little, so i diluted a capful of rubbing alcohol in about a cup of water and rinsed thoroughly with it and again there was a slight burning sensation, then i rinsed with water and gone again was the itching and burning. So my final advice, just dilute some rubbing alcohol and rinse with it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shayka (Tampa, FL) on 11/18/2008
★★★★★
I am 20 years old and I get yeast infections quite frequently. For the most parts my doctor prescribes me a pill to take which usually clears me up in a day or two. But currently I do not have insurance or money to go to the doctor. I have been suffering from a yeast infection for about 2 months now. First I tried the yogurt remedy, it soothed the itching and burning for a few days but it always returned. Then I went and bought the Monistat (spell check) from the drug store. This seemed to have cleared it up for about a week and a half. But it came back to hinder me!! I was really getting discouraged until I was searching the internet and found Earth Clinic!Yayy! I read over the comments and saw the ACV remedy. My Grandmother is constantly using ACV for everything, so I marked it as safe. First I used the ACV douche. Using a never before used douche bottle, I emptied it's original contents and measured 4 TEASPOONS of Apple Cider Vinegar (Publix Brand) then I filled the bottle with lukewarm tap water. This actually did not burn as much as I thought. You could actually see the discharge flowing from the vagina..yeah gross. Then I waited about half an hour and I wet a washcloth in warm water and then drenched it with more ACV. I then held this to the outer part of my "nookie" to ease the itching and burning. This burned SO bad! I wanted to cry. Despite the uncomfortable feeling I held this on for about 2 and a half minutes. Upon removing the washcloth it still burned like hell..but after 7 minutes everything subsided. It does really work!! ACV does leave you dry though, and smelly. I would advise to stay away from tampons and sex for a little while. And NEVER use Summer's Eve douches!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marly (Chambersburg, PA) on 03/26/2009
★★★★★
I agree with what others have said. I tried ACV on a cloth and applied it directly. The stinging was painful, but short lived. I appreciate the suggestion as yeast infections can be quite troublesome and difficult to cure. I had one when I was pregnant and did not want to use drugs, but finally could not stand it anymore.
