Did you know 3 out of 4 women will get a yeast infection in their lifetime? Many will get more than one. The good news for women—especially those who experience more than one—is you may be able to diagnose and treat a yeast infection from home.
Diagnosing a Yeast Infection: Signs to Look for:
Once a woman has had a yeast infection, it’s usually easier for her to identify another one when symptoms first appear. Common symptoms can include:
- Itching or a feeling of irritation in and around the vagina
- Thick, white discharge (the texture of cottage cheese)
- Burning feeling especially when peeing or having sex
- Vaginal pain, redness and swelling
Sometimes there are no obvious symptoms, so it’s important to know what your body’s normal healthy state is. With a yeast infection, there is typically no odor.
Boric acid is a powerful antiseptic that some claim is useful for treating yeast infections resistant to other remedies.
Boric acid vaginal suppositories may be used with medications to treat vaginal infections.
Boric acid is toxic in large amounts. It can lead to kidney damage, acute circulatory system failure, or death if you absorb too much. Don’t use boric acid on broken skin, and don’t take it orally.
If you’re pregnant, don’t use boric acid in any form.
If you have sensitive skin, this may not be a good option. Discontinue use if any discomfort begins.
Probiotics help restore the bacteria-yeast balance throughout your body.
If you start a regimen of oral probiotics that contain strains of the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, you can bring your digestive tract and vaginal flora back into alignment. Eating yogurt is one way to increase probiotics.
Oral supplements take about 10 days to reach full effect, so some people use probiotics as vaginal suppositories to see results more quickly.
Probiotic suppositories have also been shown to be effective for treating vaginosis.
