The OTC products for vaginal yeast infections have one of four active ingredients: butoconazole nitrate (Femstat 3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin and others), miconazole (Monistat 7 and others), and tioconazole (Vagistat). These drugs are in the same anti-fungal family and work in similar ways to break down the cell wall of the Candida organism until it dissolves. FDA approved the switch of Femstat 3 from prescription to OTC status December 1996 and a similar switch for Vagistat in February 1997. The others have been available OTC for a few years.
The underlying issues are not all dealt with when you just throw one or even a bunch of probiotics and herbs at candida. What was lacking was an intelligent approach to eliminating candida that attacked it in a way that makes the most sense. Too often, things get missed which protect the candida and allow it to regrow again.
Adult humans have 3 to 4 pounds of beneficial bacteria, numbering about 70 trillion individual organisms, living in our digestive system. Yeast is present in every one of us. The shear strength in numbers of the beneficial bacteria keeps yeast in check. They are in charge and make yeast produce vitamins, such as the B complex, within our bodys. If this balance is altered by reducing the good bacteria, yeast, being very opportunistic, will spread and take over as a yeast infection or as a fungal parasite or candida (mold), causing a wide variety of unhealthy side effects and diseases.
Simply stated, antibiotics are dangerous mycotoxins, fungal metabolites, that kill bacteria, even the good bacteria that is present in our intestines and essential for good health. This upsets the delicate balance of the yeast to bacteria ratio in your digestive system, giving the yeast fungi the upper hand in creating a yeast infection. Without the good bacteria in your system to control yeast, it spreads and becomes a toxic fungal parasite known as candida.
The essential oil tea tree oil, applied topically to the vaginal area, has shown some potential as a natural remedy for yeast infections. A compound called terpinen-4-ol in tea tree oil appears to be responsible. Unfortunately, there haven't been any clinical studies in humans showing that tea tree oil is effective or safe for yeast infections. Until we have more evidence, it should not be recommended. Full strength tea tree oil should never be applied to the vaginal area.
Various antifungal vaginal medications are available to treat yeast infection. Women can buy some antifungal creams, tablets, or suppositories (butoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, and tioconazole) over the counter for use in the vagina. But because BV, trichomoniasis, and yeast infection are difficult to distinguish on the basis of symptoms alone, a woman with vaginal symptoms should see her physician for an accurate diagnosis before using these products.
Most women are prinmarily concerned about vaginal yeast infection, the cause of this yeast infection is certainly attributable to Candida Albicans which are nasty organisms that live in the vagina and if allowed to multiply will likely cause the advent of yeast infection in the vagina.
Reasons Why Candida Albicans Multiplies
There are several reasons why Candida Albicans multiply and among the reasons are:
- too much heat,
- transmission through sexual activity,
- changes in sugar levels
- changes in the hormones
All of which can result in vaginal yeast infection.
Other reasons why Candida Albicans will multiply include the use of antibiotics, clothes that are not made from cotton and also certain chemicals.
Even use of condoms while having sexual intercourse can result in vaginal yeast infection. Even if one does try and reduce yeast products in one's diet, there is still no clinching evidence to suggest that doing so will prevent yeast infection.
Yet another cause of yeast infection is not having proper personal hygiene, as the presence of moisture is also what the microorganisms need to thrive in. Thus a woman having menstrual periods would be more likely to suffer from yeast infection.
The use of some agents that are especially irritating such as bubble baths, vaginal douches, and in addition, certain soaps that are of harsh nature and even toilet paper that has been perfumed and detergents that are used to wash undergarments can also become a cause of yeast infection.
It is also not a good thing for a woman to wipe from anus to vagina after having urinated as that is a surefire means of transferring yeasts as bacteria to the vagina from the rectum. Also, washing of the vaginal area more than is necessary with tap water will make for another cause of yeast infection. What's more, yeast infection is not solely confined to the vagina and it can even be found in oral cavities as well as bowels, folds in skin, nipples, ears and even on the penis.
Thus, there is a pressing need to identify the basic cause of yeast infection so as to make it considerably easier to prevent and also cure the disease from developing further.
Diets rich in anti-oxidants are also a very good way to build up your bodies resistance levels helping your bodies own defence mechanism control the yeast infection.
Both Paul Rhodes & Paul Courtney are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Paul Rhodes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Property Guide and Candida Infection. Sarah Rhodes suffered from chronic yeast infections for many years before finally discovering a natural, permanent cure that works. Read about Sarah and the secret that permanently cured her yeast infections at:. Paul Rhodes's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
Paul Courtney has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alcohol Treatment, Alternative Medicine and Hair Care. Authors Biography: Paul Courtney contributes articles to various publications pertaining to Alternative Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Herb Gardens, Organics, Eczema, Heart Burn and is the main contributor to. Paul Courtney's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.