Affiliate Disclosure

If you have ever had a yeast infection, you know that it can be pretty uncomfortable until it gets resolved. Several years ago, I started getting chronic yeast infections. I would go to the store and get Monistat to treat it or a prescription from my OB/GYN. It was not until later that I realized the treatment I was using was only masking the symptoms and not resolving the underlying problem. This article focuses on natural ways of treating yeast infection and bacterial infections.

Once I began on my real food journey, I started to get more into natural remedies for treating anything that was off with my body. That is how I discovered Dr. Price – by searching for natural remedies to heal your cavities! Some of these things never occurred to me before to use natural remedies.

What is a Yeast Infection?

A yeast infection is a fungal infection. Symptoms include itchiness, irritation and discharge of the vagina and the vulva. The discharge can be like cottage cheese (thick, white) or it can be watery. Treatment is usually an over the counter cream like Monistat.

What is a Bacterial Infection?

A bacterial infection of the vagina is also known as bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms can be vaginal discharge, burning and itching. As you can see, the symptoms are similar to a yeast infection. The discharge can be watery and thin, have a gray or white color, have a strong, fishy smell, a burning sensation while urinating or itching around the outside of the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis can clear up on its own, but it is typically treated with antibiotics.

Yin Care Herbal Wash

At one point, I was getting a yeast infection every month. I realized that this was not normal and I asked my acupuncturist if she had something to treat it with. She recommended a product called Yin Care Herbal Wash (this is the fragrance free version). The directions recommend you dilute it with water, but I found that the full strength worked best when applying it topically. This got rid of my yeast infection pretty quickly and was by far the most effective remedy, at least when I wasn’t pregnant.

Boric Acid Capsules for Yeast Infection and Bacterial Infection

Fast forward to the past few months when I am on my 3rd pregnancy. I had not had a yeast infection since the last time when I treated it naturally, which was 5 1/2 years before! However, I had some familiar symptoms return: mostly dryness, but a little itchiness as well. It seemed to be a very mild case, but I was experiencing discomfort.

I tried a number of natural remedies that I will outline below, including the yin care listed above, before getting checked out by my midwife. The yin care did work a little, but it didn’t completely eradicate my symptoms. My midwife tested me and sure enough, I tested positive for a yeast infection AND bacterial vaginosis. This was surprising since I had never had bacterial vaginosis. I also did not have many of the symptoms to go along with it.

She recommended some prescription creams to treat both infections. However, especially since I am pregnant and want to have the healthiest gut flora to pass on to my baby, I decided to go the natural route. I ordered some boric acid suppositories to use nightly to treat the yeast infection and bacterial infection. The boric acid remedy was by far the most effective in getting rid of my infections while pregnant. I have heard that you are much more susceptible to yeast infections when you are pregnant.

Homeopathy

I had a chronic appointment with my homeopath during this time. He said the most important thing for me was to be on a good chronic remedy. If it was the appropriate chronic remedy for me, it should eventually get rid of the yeast infection and bacterial infection. I talked to him about how it had been several years since I had a yeast infection. He thought it could be because with homeopathy, when you are taking a good chronic remedy, you can have a return of your old symptoms initially, which is a good sign. He said that it is possible I may even get one more yeast infection that is less mild, but then it should resolve.

If you want to go the homeopathic route, it is best to work with a seasoned classical homeopath. This will help you to get to the route of your symptoms.

Probiotics

I have been taking probiotics since before I became pregnant. The probiotics I recommend are: Just Thrive, Yeastbiotic, Prescript Assist (use my code healthbysarah to get 10% off on any of these with Perfect Supplements), GutPro, and BioKult. One remedy that may help to treat a yeast infection and bacterial infection is to insert a probiotic capsule nightly. This will help you to have a healthy balance of vaginal flora. I tried this remedy for a few weeks, but didn’t see a huge difference. However, it is still important to take probiotics, especially if you are trying to heal your gut.

Garlic

Similar to the probiotic suppository remedy, inserting a garlic clove vaginally may help to fight a yeast infection and bacterial infection. Be sure to thread a needle with thread through the garlic clove and tie it on both ends to remove more easily. Do this nightly and see if your symptoms resolve. I tried this remedy as well for a few weeks. I seemed to notice a little difference, but it wasn’t enough to get rid of the infections.

Yogurt/Kefir

Another remedy I tried was applying a little yogurt or kefir topically. It may have helped a little, but as with some of the other remedies, it was not enough to eradicate the infections.

Apple Cider Vinegar

I tried diluting some apple cider vinegar in a filtered bath, and it was a little relieving. However, it did not get rid of my infections.

I believe the reason I had a harder time getting rid of my yeast infection this time is because I am pregnant. Many women have reported that nothing (natural remedies) got rid of their yeast infection until after they gave birth. I am happy that the yin care helped and the boric acid suppositories were able to resolve the infections. Hopefully they will be effective remedies for you as well, even if you are pregnant.