A vaginal yeast infection is a common female issue caused mainly by the group of microscopic fungi called Candida albicans. The Candida genus of yeast is a naturally occurring microbe and doesn't cause any infection until there is an imbalance in your system. Your vagina is home to many microbes, including the lactobacillus bacteria that keep the fungal growth in check. You can try a number of natural remedies to clear a yeast infection, but using yogurt for yeast infectionscan prove extremely beneficial because it is a milk product made by bacterial fermentation of milk. 

How Does Yogurt Work for Yeast Infections?

Your vagina has numerous beneficial microbes that make sure that disease-causing microbes don't cause any infection. The yeast will grow out of control when hormones, antibiotics, or something else affects that delicate balance. It is therefore important to take steps to restore your vagina's population of friendly bacteria. The best way to do it is to use yogurt.

Yogurt is known to contain loads of good bacteria, and those good ones can help maintain the normal bacteria in and vagina. Therefore yogurt is a good option to relieve yeast infections.

Both store-bought yogurt and homemade yogurt will work well, but be sure to use only if it is plain and unflavored. You really have to avoid any sugar because yeast feeds in sugar. It means that if you're buying yogurt from store, you should pay attention to its label before making the purchase.

How Can You Use Yogurt for Yeast Infections?

You don't have to eat too much of yogurt for yeast infections. Eating a small bowl or one serving sized container will do the job. You can also consider applying the same amount of yogurt on the affected area to relieve itching and clear infection. Make a habit of eating yogurt with each meal to help kill the yeast infection.

Try one of the following methods to use yogurt for yeast infections.

1. Make a Yogurt Tampon

• Apply unsweetened yogurt to a plastic tampon.
• Leave it in your freezer to get little yogurt sickles.
• Place the sickles directly on the yeast-infected area for pain relief. Rub it on your labia and also use additional yogurt to apply on the vaginal opening.
• Apply this method at least twice a day for relief.

2. Eat It for Relief

• Eat a cup of yogurt on daily basis and increase its consumption when you have a severe yeast infection.
• Keep eating it 2 to 3 times a day continuously to clear the infection.

3. Apply It Externally

• Take some yogurt in a cup and apply it on the affected area.
• Use your fingers to apply it like a coating.
• Leave it for an hour and then wipe it off.
• Do it at least thrice a day for one week to get relief from yeast infections.

4. Combine Yogurt and Garlic

• Mince a few garlic cloves.
• Add minced garlic cloves to a cup of plain yogurt.
• Stir it well and eat it regularly to eliminate any yeast infection.

Other Remedies to Relieve Yeast Infections

Aside from the above yogurt remedy, there are some other remedies that can help to relieve yeast infections. If you have tried yogurt but want something even better, try some of the following remedies to relieve your yeast infections.

1. Boric Acid Vaginal Capsules

You can make these capsules at home. You will need some 00 size gelatin capsules and boric-acid powder. (Click HERE to know details on the gelatin capsules size.) Fill those capsules with the powder and insert them in your vaginal opening. Doing this daily for at least a couple of weeks will help clear infections without the use of any other medication. Don't take it orally though and avoid it if you're pregnant.

2. Gentian Violet

You can find it at your local pharmacy with ease. Get some of it and soak a large cotton swab in it. Insert it vaginally and also coat the walls of your vagina with gentian violet. Keep using it until your symptoms are relieved.

3. Tea Tree Oil Douche

Take a cup of warm water and add a tablespoon of tea tree oil to it. Douche twice a day until you find relief from your symptoms. Stop using it if it causes any irritation.

4. Garlic

Simply peel a garlic clove and cut shallow slits into it. Now, sew a string into it and put it vaginally. It may cause a burning sensation but it usually works quite well to relieve yeast infections. Or you can take garlic orally each day.

How to Prevent Yeast Infections

It is advisable to take steps to prevent yeast infections from happening in the first place.Paying attention to a few things will help maintain a healthy balance of yeast in your vagina.

• Make a habit of wearing breathable clothes because moisture can trap in these areas and provide yeast a feasible environment to grow.
• ŸDon't take antibiotics unnecessarily because they also kill off good bacteria.
• Avoid using feminine perfumes, sprays, scented toilet paper, douches, talc, and deodorized tampons because they can affect your body's natural cleansing process.