Recurrent Vulvar and Vaginal Yeast Infections: Natural Treatment

Yeast infections in the vagina or on the vulva are very common, and can occur over and over in 50% of all women. The culprit is a yeast type called Candida albicans 90% of the time. Standard treatment, as I’m sure you already know, is anti fungal creams or oral treatment with drugs such as fluconazole, myconazole and clotrimazole. These all are supposed to “work”, but the yeast seems to come back anyway doesn’t it?

So what might be the problem? First of all, make sure your doctor actually finds yeast under the microscope. Often the treatment is for presumed yeast infections even though the problem is something completely different like allergies to new detergents, other types of infections, various skin disorders etc. The list can get pretty long. Assuming the diagnosis is correct, and the yeast keep coming back, then what?

Yeast like to live in moist places. If the problem is outside the vagina, on the vulva, it could be because you have a few extra skin folds. So, losing weight might help. In any case, keep the areas dry as much as possible for as long as possible. There is an even more treacherous reason for recurrent yeast infection in someone who is overweight….and that would be diabetes mellitus (the common form of diabetes). If your blood sugar is out of control, your recurrent yeast visitors will also be hanging out. So, make sure you’re fit and healthy.

Do natural treatments help treat or prevent yeast infection? Here’s the best information that exists. For starters, taking plain yogurt orally (or vaginally if the problem is vaginal infections) several times a day builds up your level of Lactobacillus acidophilus. When you have just the right amount of these friendly bacteria on board, the yeast tend to stay away.

What else might help to keep recurrent yeast infections away? Two main items are worth considering. First, although there are no studies in humans, laboratory studies show that garlic has anti-yeast action. Although you can apply garlic directly to the skin, it can burn. So, the recommendation is to consider oral garlic or garlic extract supplements. The second anti-yeast botanical is tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), which has to be applied directly to the skin. Just like garlic, the research data is from test-tube (in vitro) studies. We are all awaiting human studies and there is one major word of warning. A dilute preparation of tree oil can still cause allergies and other skin reactions. For this reason, it should be tested on a small area first. The vagina is much more sensitive, so no one recommends putting tree oil up there. If you consider it, please ONLY do this under supervision of a treating physician who has experience with this type of treatment.