April (New York , NY) on 11/06/2008:
I'm a 33 year old woman and I've had two yeast infections in my entire life. The first was when I was 19 and the second was just recently. I got my period and shortly after it started, I started to get symptoms of a YI - itching, soreness around my vulva, swelling, burning. I figured this infection was triggered by extremem stress and the fact that I just got back on the Pill. At any rate, this particular YI came back FULL FORCE! It was so bad I could barely concentrate. The itching was massively intense and I was so sore, I felt like I was walking funny. I was desperate and willing to try anything - and I did. First, I stopped using the tampons (since my period was on) and switched to pads. Then I went to the sore and got some Vagisil-1 (which really didn't work) and plain yogurt. I inserted the Vagisil and ate like 2 1/2 cups of the yogurt (which I sweetened with fresh berries). I gave it about 12 hours, and nothing! Finally, I decided to go to the internet and see what Earth Clinic had to offer. I had used the site previously for a case of Bacterial Vaginosis I had and the peroxide douche they recommended cured my BV!
I found lots of info on ACV but I was afraid to do the douche, so I did the bath with 1 1/2 cup of ORGANIC Raw ACV. I sat in the bath for about 20 minutes and it relieved my symptoms for about an hour but of course they returned. I had HAD IT! I was at the end of my rope and the itching was driving me crazy. I called my doctor and got an emergency prescription of Diflucan and took it that night. The Diflucan took forever to work and I really wasn't able to get much sleep that night but I was just relieved to have it in my system.
The next morning, I still had some itching but I could tell that the swelling and burning was subsiding. I was desperate and so I FINALLY decided to try the ACV douche. I got Summer's Eve that I had stashed away and poured it out. I filled the bottle with about 3-4 teaspoons of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (try the organic isle in your grocery store) and the rest with warm water. I douched TWICE! I had to say, as graphic as it is, what came out of my vagina was disgusting. It looked like rotting flesh but I know it was yeast.
From that moment on, my itching was TOTALLY gone!!!! I don't know if it was the ACV coupled with the fact that I had Diflucan in my system, but the ACV douche seemed to be the ONLY thing that got rid of the itch, which I think is the biggest culprit of the YI!
Thanks so much Earth Clinic! I am totally hooked to this site for all my ailments. I can't tell you how much money I've spent on doctor's visits, prescriptions and stuff like Vagisil that don't work. My ACV was $3.29! This site not only recommends great advice but it's good to know that others are going thru similar experiences!
Sara (Lexington , KY) on 11/02/2008:
I've been having a yeast infection for about a month. With all the usual symptoms -itching -dryness -some white discharge -no odor I've had yeast infections before, generally due to antibiotics. So, naturally, I tried to cure it via over-the-counter anti-fungal cream suppositories (I think it was Monostat). From my experience, I should feel relief after a day of using this treatment. I waited about 4 days, but the treatment didn't phase my symptoms. I tried it again, waited about 5 days, still no cure. I went into a walk-in clinic, they assured me I didn't have an STD (which I was afraid of) but a different type of yeast infection that the cream doesn't cure. So, they prescribed me Diflucan (spell check) with a refill just in case. I took the first pill, waited 2 days and took the second. This didn't help me either.
I went to my regular doctor, she took a culture to find out what type of yeast infection it is. The culture took 7-10days. After the 8th day my doctor called to inform me that I didn't have a yeast infection.
Now, it's my belief that doctors are idiots. Both doctors offices took cultures yet only one said I had a yeast infection.
So, I used the old Apple Cider Vinegar method. I ran a bath a little less than ankle deep and poured about 1 1/2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar. This did not present immediate relief, but after soaking for 30mins, my symptoms had subsided. Thank you _____ for organic Apple Cider Vinegar and thank you to my ex boyfriend who left it at my house.
There are some draw backs to this remedy. The smell is not pleasant and it made my vagina very dry. So, I recommend some sort of women's lubrication (I used Vagasil 4day moist treatment). Don't use something that's not made for women because that can cause a ph imbalance (which leads to yeast infections). I had to use the Apple Cider Vinegar method twice, once in a day. And I also drank 2teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with 1 cup hot water and honey to taste. With enough honey, it tastes like Apple cider.
This was the only treatment that worked for me. And after a month of being uncomfortable and itchy down there, I think all the women here knows what kind of relief it brings feel normal again.
Cailin (Philadelphia, PA) on 10/31/2008:
I love my crazy mother. The random remedies that she recommends always seem to be nonsense at first, but they work EVERY time!!! I have been a huge fan of earth clinic since my mom introduced me years ago when I was a very very poor college student. ACV basically works for everything. Clears up your skin, good for your insides - outsides, and apparently yeast infections. I also have been adding it to my dogs water bowl and it has cleared up her horrible skin (which i have spent HUNDREDS of dollars at the vet's office trying to cure). I have been in AGONY the past 24 hours with this horrible yeast infection. I get one atleast every other month and I always use that stupid, expensive monistat or vagisil. They are messy and unsuccessful in easing the pain. This morning I hopped on earth clinic, and sure enough ACV was the cure. I put some on a wet washcloth and held it on my lady area for about 3 minutes. It burned like hell at first, but it worked!! I'm going to soak in the bath now, as I'm sure that will be much relief as well. I have had problems with 'yeast' since I was a teen. I have been on those "Nature's Cure" yeast pills, but they aren't really helping. I'm going to start taking acidophilus pills cause I heard that they are great. I love you earth clinic!!! i just want to smother you with hugs and kisses!! thank you so much for the relief.
Amanda (Atlanta, Georgia USA) on 10/04/2008:
i suspected i might have a yeast infection or some sort of imbalance in bacteria. it has been burning and itching for days! i just got out of the bath and cant believe how calm it feels 'down there'. i put 1 3/4 cups of apple cider vinegar (the store brand) into a tub of warm water and let my body soak for a good 30 minutes. i also put in 3/4 epsom salt. i feel so much better because i had been in pain for days. i feel like i can walk normally now! i also have severe total body eczema so it helped calm the itching quite a bit. ladies just give it a try!
Erica (Colorado, USA) on 09/15/2008:
I went to the dr. 3 weeks ago because I was feeling a little irritated down there and was diagnosed with vaginitis and a yeast infection, I was prescribed metronidazole (which burns like hell!!) and diflucan, I was fine after the first 5 days however, my menstrual cycle came and brought back the yeast, the redness and irritation was downright awful, I got a refill of diflucan 2- this time taken 3 days apart but it didn't soothe the irritation. I stumbled upon this website at lunch time and thought I need to try this because this redness and soreness is driving me crazy !!!! I almost went to the supermarket and purchased Heinz ACV that would have been a mistake, [ORGANIC ACV] works best. I filled the tub up past my ankles with semi hot water and a 1-1/2 cup of organic ACV sat in it and squatted and waved the water upwards towards my vajayjay, (I was too scared to try the douche). Right now I feel at peace! I am typing this testimonial fresh out of the tub in some cotton panties RELIEVED!!!! not to mention I am sipping on a glass of water with 2 table spoons of ACV. At this moment I don't have fire engine red labia minora lips, I will keep you informed if my condition changes.
Chelsea (Scottsboro, AL) on 09/05/2008:
I have suffered with a Urinary Tract Infection for about a week now. I was taking AZO and it wasn't working at all. My doctor prescribed me some antibiotic's called Bactrim that was supposed to help with the infection. It DID help...but it ALSO left me with a Yeast Infection. When I got on this site and saw all of the responses to apple cider vinegar i took off to my kitchen to find some. I put 1/2 cup of it in my bath water and soaked for about 30 mins. IT WORKS!!! When I got out i put some on a rag and dabbed it on the "area" and I'm feeling better already!!! This website is WONDERFUL!!!
Ms.B (Seattle, WA) on 08/17/2008:
So i have been having reoccuring yeast infections and monistat helped however, it kept coming back over a period of time and finally i decided to use one the home recipes. Low and behold it does wonder! I don't feel any pain and the irritation, the pain its all gone. I used 2 cups of Apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp of epsom salt. Voila!
Amanda (Valdosta, Georgia) on 08/07/2008:
I tryed the ACV remedy... both ways. I had seen that it was recommended that I use about a 1/2 of a cup in my bath water and soak for a while *(20 minutes)* and the itching would go to way... It worked...however it did not work instantly. By the time my soaking was done... the itch was infact gone. Now, the other thing that was recommended was to douche with ACV, this DID NOT WORK FOR ME.. it burnt to the point that I was in tears... I do not recommend this for anyone.
Katherine (Kenai, Alaska) on 07/28/2008:
%uFEFF OMG! Thank you everyone! For 2 wks I have been itching and it was driving me nuts! Vagisil only worked moderately and didn't last long. I didn't have the organic variety of acv, only the reg heinz bottle but figured it was worth a shot. Why not eh? I soaked a rag in a glass of water and 1 tbsp of acv then applied it directly over my vagina (only the outer parts are infected) and shazaam!!! NO MORE ITCH! I also immediately drank 2 tsp of the stuff before this just to make sure it was in the system. I will continue with this rag soak until I can get into the tub tonight. What a blessing this page was to find.
Christine (Montville, New Jersey) on 06/28/2008:
For about two weeks I have had a terrible yeast infection plus UTI. I tried monistat powder and cream,it helped that day but after that it came back. Now Iam on vacation and I will not let this infection keep me from having fun. So my dad told me I can drink Apple cider vinegar mixed with alittle bit of water. What I did was drink 1 glass of this mixture and then I took one cup of vinegar poured it in warm water and took a bath in it.In a matter of about 15-20 minutes both the pain from UTI and the itching from the yeast infection was gone.(No Douching) Now Iam just drinking the cider and water for a couple more days just to make sure everything is cured.
