How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection

Nothing is attacking or infecting your body when you experience a yeast infection, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the problem seriously. Yeast organisms, called Candida, are always present in your body, but they can multiply out of control if your immune system is weakened and cannot properly control yeast levels. In other words, yeast infections are symptoms that something is preventing your body from doing what it needs to do.

Your immune system could be compromised because you are HIV positive, or because you have another debilitating or chronic illness. You might have a sexually transmitted disease, or you could just be tired and stressed out. Any of these conditions can make it more difficult for your yeast infection to function properly. If you have never had a yeast infection, you absolutely should make a doctor's appointment first to make sure your self-diagnosis is correct. A few other diseases can look like a yeast infection, most notably bacterial vaginosis.

Once you're sure that it is a yeast infection you have, let's proceed on to some of the best, safest, and most natural ways to get rid of a yeast infection as quickly as possible. Even better, most of my suggestions will be cheaper than similar over-the-counter medications that will treat your symptoms and not the cause of the yeast infection.

Yeast infections need to be treated as soon as possible, because chronic, recurring infections can lead to urinary tract infections and diabetes, among other debilitating conditions. Apart from the long-term heath risks, yeast infections are also unhealthy and uncomfortable.

Whether you feel a yeast infection coming on, or you want to cure your thrush as quickly as possible without resorting to anti-fungal medicines, you can use natural cures that women have used for centuries to cure their yeast infection as quickly as possible.

Cranberries are well-known as a natural treatment for urinary tract infections because the berries increase the acidiy of urine, but most people don't realize that cranberries can help cure yeast infections, too. The increased acidity creates an inhospitable environment for yeast organisms as you urinate, and can cure your yeast infection over the course of several days. However, this is a cure suited for only the most mild forms of yeast infections.

Yogurt is another time-tested yeast infection treatment, with an ability to treat moderate yeast infections in most people. Just make sure you use plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures, which contain the same bacteria that work to control yeast levels in healthy women. If you have been on antibiotics for over a few days, the levels of this healthy bacteria are lowered because the antibioics cannot distinguish between the helpful and harmful organisms in your body. Eat as much yogurt as you can over the next few days to bring your yeast infection to a rapid end.

If you have a severe yeast infection, garlic might be the only natural treatment that will work to cure you. There are many long-term health benefits to garlic, and a natural treatment for yeast infection is on its list of strengths. In the vitamin section of your drugstore you should be able to find garlic tabs, or you can wrap a peeled garlic clove in thin cloth insert it like you would a tampon. Keep the garlic in for at least a few hours, or overnight, and continue daily until your yeast infection is gone.

If you need more natural cures for yeast infections, check out this article about even more great home remedies for your yeast infection.