Ready to try self-medication?
The Self-Treatment Solution!
In dealing with yeast infection cures – especially where there is a history of repeat infection – the question almost always comes up: Why not treat myself?
After all, medications for vaginal yeast infections are typically available in either vaginal creams or suppositories, and most can be obtained without a doctor’s prescription. (Just the idea of one more office visit and follow-up makes self-treatment sound that much better!)
Treating Yourself
If you’re serious about treating yourself at home, start by answering the following to see if self-treatment is advised:
- Do you do not have pelvic pain or a fever?
- Is this your first yeast infection?
- Are you pregnant?
- Are you are worried about other sexually transmitted diseases from recent sexual contact?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, stick with your doctor in the search for yeast infection cures or you may simply end up spinning your wheels and wasting valuable time getting back to a more comfortable, socially-involved lifestyle. There are more causes of vaginal burning, itching and discharge than just yeast infections!
It's not working!
If your condition doesn’t improve after one course of over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal creams or suppositories, or they become worse, bite the bullet and schedule an appointment with your doctor or clinic. You gave it a try and it didn’t work, so it’s time to move on in your quest for a solution.
If your symptoms go away and then return within weeks or months, also schedule an appointment. (Keep in mind that attempting to do what the doctor does is all about treating symptoms. If you’re seeking a long-term cure, an all-natural solution may be the better direction to go.)
Medicating Yourself
Common anti-fungal medications you can buy yourself to treat yeast infections of the vagina and skin include:
Miconazole (Monistat, Micatin)
Clotrimazole (Canesten, Lotrimin)
Tioconazole (Monistat, Vagistat)
Butoconazole (Gynazole 1, Femstat 3, Mycelex 3)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
What are the packaging details?
Be sure to read package information thoroughly. Review the potential side effects so you have a clear picture of what the risks are – surprises are rarely good! If you have any questions, ask your pharmacist or check with your doctor’s office.
Use the medication as directed and do not stop using them early simply because your symptoms went away or lessened significantly. You will likely need a 3 to 7-day course of treatment, depending on which medicine you buy. If your symptoms are more severe, or you have repeat infections, you may require a longer course of treatment, possibly up to 14 days.
Prevention
If prevention really is the best form of treatment, then consider the following tips to help prevent and treat vaginal discharge and yeast infections:
Tip 1 – Keep your genital area clean and dry. Avoid soap and rinse with water only. Sitting in a warm, but not hot, bath may ease your symptoms.
Tip 2 – Avoid douching. Although many women feel cleaner if they douche after menstruation or intercourse, it may actually worsen vaginal discharge because it removes healthy bacteria (flora) lining the vagina that protect against infection.
Yogurt - Get the balance back!
Tip 3 – Eat yogurt with live (or active) cultures, or take Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets when you are on antibiotics to prevent a yeast infection. Restoring bacterial balance is a must!
Tip 4 – Use condoms to avoid catching or spreading sexually transmitted diseases.
Tip 5 – Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays, fragrances, or powders in the genital area.
Tip 6 – Avoid wearing extremely tight-fitting pants or shorts, which may cause irritation.
Tip 7 – Wear cotton underwear or cotton-crotch pantyhose. Avoid underwear made of silk or nylon, because these materials are not very absorbent and restrict air flow. This can increase sweating in the genital area, which can cause irritation.
Tip 8 – Use pads and not tampons. Tampons can damage the sensitive lining (flora) designed to protect against infection.
Tip 9 – Keep your blood sugar levels under good control if you have diabetes.
Treating yourself – finding your own yeast infection cures – isn’t a difficult process if you take the time to get properly informed and understand the risks. If self-treatment isn’t successful, you can always return to a doctor’s care or you can take the time to discover an all-natural solution that treats the causes, not just the symptoms.
Getting it right is worth the effort!
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