The vagina contains
mucus and harmless bacteria which act together to defend
the vagina from candida (or thrush) as well as other
germs. If you are taking antibiotics, then these natural
defenses can be altered or upset causing the candida
to take hold. The conditions candida likes best are
those found in the warm, moist and airless parts of
the body. If you having a vaginal discharge and you
have recently completed a course of antibiotics, then
it is likely that you have thrush.
For many years now, it has been common practice for
women on antibiotics to eat a daily tub of yogurt
as a remedy to prevent thrush. In fact, forty per
cent of women on antibiotics tend to take yogurt for
this very reason and in addition, many doctors and
pharmacists also recommend this therapy to women when
prescribing or dispensing antibiotics. However, in
findings published in the British Medical Journal
very recently, it was stated that lactobacillus acidophilus
(a key bacterium in yogurt) was not effective in the
prevention of thrush after a course of antibiotics.
But there are other ways in which you can help to
prevent thrush whilst on antibiotics:
* Avoid wearing tight clothes or tight underwear.
* Avoid wearing synthetic-fiber underwear –
cotton is much healthier.
* Change wet clothing as soon as possible –
don’t sit around in a wet swim suit.
* When using the toilet, wipe with toilet paper from
front to back.
* Wash and thoroughly dry the genital area as often
as possible and avoid perfumed and colored soaps,
bubble baths and vaginal douches.
* Avoid using tampons just during this time.
* Take warm, salty baths frequently or sit in a bowl
of warm, salty water.
Some home remedies for the treatment of yeast infections
If you are suffering from yeast infections, you might
like to try out these home remedies in addition to
your regular treatment:
* For yeast infections on any part of the body other
than the vagina, apply a fresh garlic paste directly
on to the affected area – garlic is a natural
antiseptic.
* Plain yogurt is another home remedy – this
time for the vagina. Dip a tampon in plain yogurt
containing acidophiulus and insert it into the vagina
twice a day. Repeat this until one day after the symptoms
disappear.
Read on about Male Yeast Infections
Part
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Part 2 |
Part
3 |
Part
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