I was wondering if anyone has tried any of those over 'alternative' yeast infection treatments (yogurt, tea tree oil, etc) and if they actually worked.

I'm trying to avoid having to buy Monistat or that pill because they are both pretty pricey. I just started the tampon/yogurt treatment but am skeptical that something so simple would work.

Thanks!

What exactly are these "alternative" treatments?

It's very medically risky to use tampons when you're not on your period, so I wouldn't use them personally. Eating yogurt helps regulate and restore the good bacteria in the vagina, but I'm not sure that it has the "power" to cure a yeast infection.

Dr Oz on the Oprah show answered a question for one woman about douching. He said that under no circumstances should anything be inserted or used in the vagina except during intercourse and tampons when you're on your period. So I would not very very hesitant to use any alternative treatments in which they want you to apply anything to that area.

If money is an issue, I think Planned Parenthood has nominal fees for their services and could probably get you a treatment for a nominal fee as well.

I would be very careful and think about these "alternative" treatments before you try any of them. I get bad yeast infections all the time due to my diet and medications I'm on and usually I have to get the diflucan pill as the over the counter stuff doesn't work usually. I'm also allergic to the nitrate cream that's included as a topical itch cream. It's good fun - let me tell ya. The vagina is very delicate area in terms of the bacteria that lives there, etc. and I've read that soap is actually too harsh for that area, so I would very careful. But eating yogurt is a good way to help restore the bacteria balance in the vagina.

Michelle

For me, OTC used to work best. I'm at the point now where only prescription stuff works because my body got used to the OTC stuff. I think it depends on the person. You could always try the alternatives and if the infection doesn't clear up, go for the OTC stuff. Good luck!

I had a bateria infection once and the doc at the parenthood gave me some cream but said to prevent any kind of infection due to poor diet or too much sex, tight underwear, she said to dip a tampon in to peroxcide and intert it in to the vagina for 3 minute.

If you don't get yeast infections often I would just shell out the money for the OTC medicine (if you're a person who gets them often and some people do for different reasons, then I think I would start looking into alternative treatments if possible b/c having to use the OTC stuff too much can be bad and lead to the yeast becoming resistant to the treatment).

If you're worried about money, you can usually get the storebrand (like Walmart's store brand) in the 7 day cream version for like $5-$7. The 3 days suppositories are only a few dollars more. I've used the store brand before and it works just as good as Monistat.

And the tampon/yogurt treatment is usually removing the tampon from the applicator... filling it with yogurt and then inserting it into the vagina.

I've never tried any natural methods...the food based ones really skeeve me out b/c I just don't understand how it couldn't lead to something bad lol

I read once about wrapping a clove of garlic in cotton or something (I can't remember) and inserting it. I've never tried that. :cool: I've always used OTC stuff.

There are these OTC pills called Azo, they have them for various things but there's one for yeast. They are non-prescription but they sometimes keep them behind the drugstore counter. You can take one a day as a preventive measure or 3 a day to cure your yeast infection if you have one.

I've found them helpful if I feel like I'm starting to get a yeast infection or if I'm in a situation where one might be likely (like taking antibiotics) but if you have a full-blown yeast infection you need Monistat or something like that.

One of my biology professors told our class that putting plain yogurt 'down there' will cure a yeast infection because of the active cultures. I've never tried it but I have heard this more than once (I think I also read it in a magazine). I always buy Monistat if I get a yeast infection. It's pricey but it works quickly to alleviate the symptoms and clear it up. I bought a store brand before too and it worked just as well.

I get yeast infections ALL the time & OTC stuff causes a horrible allergic reaction for me :( Diflucan is the only way to go for me - those other weird treatments are just too much - best to stick with what works IMO.

I use the Walmart Equate 7 day cream for yeast infections. You could also try garlic capsules/pills and take on a regular basis to possibly prevent it.