Yeast infection or "vulvovaginal candidiasis" is quite common in women.
Three out of four adult females will experience at least one occurrence of a yeast infection during their lives.
They are easy to treat and can be resolved even without medication, with the help of reliable and zero cost home remedies instead of over-the-counter anti-fungal medicine.
Symptoms A vaginal yeast infection can be very troublesome indeed.
Women who are afflicted with this problem usually have to put up with a whitish vaginal discharge with a thick consistency.
The other bothersome symptoms of a yeast infection are irritation of the vaginal skin and severe itchiness.
Various home treatment for the problem can resolve the above mentioned symptoms and ease the pain and burning sensation that some women experience during sexual intercourse and urination.
The cause of a yeast infection After bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection is the second most common type of vaginal infection.
The fungal species, "Candida albicans" is the primary culprit, although the same symptoms can arise from an overgrowth of another type of fungus-the "Candida glabrata.
Candida albicans usually abide in the vagina without causing any problems along with other microorganisms.
However, when there is imbalance in hormonal levels such as in women who are pregnant, or taking contraceptives, or during the few days prior to the onset of the menstrual cycle, the growth of yeast in the vagina may increase.
If a woman has a compromised immune system, the small amount of yeast that does not typically cause problems bloom and result in the symptoms described above.
The disruption of the delicate balance of the vaginal ecosystem is also ascribed to certain antibiotics, which eventually lead to a yeast infection in some women.
Effective home remedies for alleviation of symptoms One of the most common home remedies is plain yogurt with active cultures.
This helps soothe the irritation on the outer part of the vagina.
A small amount may also be inserted into the vaginal opening to restore the acid balance.
In order to restore the vagina's normal acidity and control the infection, a woman can immerse in an apple cider vinegar bath for 15 minutes.
Marked improvement in symptoms can be seen after three soaks in a warm bath of water mixed with a couple of cups of apple cider vinegar.
Preventative measures There are additional measures that can be implemented in order to prevent the bloom of yeast species in the vagina.
For instance, wet garments (exercise clothes, swimwear) must be removed as soon as the activity is done.
Similarly, after taking a shower or a bath, the whole crotch must be dried thoroughly.
It is important to keep the vagina dry at all times because fungus multiplies fast in hot and moist environments.
Irritants can also usher in an infection, and so a woman must be careful in choosing commercial products such as feminine sprays, douches, and tampons that may have harmful chemicals.
Lastly, the vaginal area must always be allowed to breath, which can be accomplished by wearing cotton underwear and avoiding pantyhoses and tight pants, especially if the person is prone to repeated vaginal yeast infections.