Effective Strategies for Addressing Yeast Infections

With hot summer weather upon us, women can experience more vaginal yeast infections. These uncomfortable infections are most often caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans. Candida is typically kept under control by beneficial bacteria housed in the vagina. However, diet, lifestyle and environmental factors can disrupt the body’s microflora balance and allow for candida to proliferate. If you struggle with yeast infections, fortunately there are many ways to help prevent them as well as effective yeast infection treatment strategies you can take to address them naturally.

The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem that contains more than 200 different bacterial species. Lactobacillus species tend to be the most prominent. These helpful organisms produce antimicrobial compounds such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide to create an acidic and protective environment against pathogens. Throughout a woman’s life, various factors can shift the vaginal microbiome composition and lead to dysbiosis, including yeast infections.

During summer, humidity and hot temperatures, sweating, wearing damp bathing suits, and swimming in chlorinated swimming pools, can contribute to microflora imbalances. Other factors that can contribute to yeast overgrowth include high stress levels, blood sugar and hormonal imbalances, toxin exposure, leaky gut, eating a diet that contains a lot of processed foods and sugar, in addition to taking antibiotics, birth control pills, and corticosteroids.

Symptoms of Candida

While yeast overgrowth can show up as a vaginal yeast infection, other symptoms of candida can include fatigue, headaches, sinus issues, gas/bloating, anxiety, cravings for sugar and carbohydrates, skin rashes, and anxiety. When faced with a yeast infection, it is important to take a whole-body approach as the most effective yeast infection treatment to address it. Identifying underlying diet and lifestyle factors, supporting gut/vaginal microbiome health, and taking measures to promote immune health, can all help to restore balance.   

Candida vaginitis is quite common. Reviews of vulvovaginal candidiasis note that most cases involve Candida albicans, with classic signs and symptoms of a yeast infection including itching, burning, redness, and thick, white discharge. Those signs overlap with other types of infections, so an accurate diagnosis matters before you pick a treatment for your yeast infection.

Helpful Ways to Address Yeast Infections

• Wear loose, breathable clothing, free of synthetic materials such as nylon and spandex. Change out of a wet bathing suit after swimming.

• Avoid fragrances and other chemicals found in scented soaps, laundry detergent, body care products, and menstrual products.

• Eat a whole-foods, low-sugar, and anti-inflammatory diet. Because candida feeds off of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and yeast-containing foods, it is best to avoid gluten, sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, dried fruit, fruit juices, and fermented foods.

• Manage stress levels to help support healthy immune function.

• Supplement with immune supportive nutrients, such as vitamins A, E, C, and zinc.

• Take a high-quality multi-strain women’s specific probiotic to support microbiome health.

• Supplement with a candida-specific antifungal formula, such as Sinus Survival Candida Balance.

• Use tea tree vaginal suppositories to soothe inflamed tissue and combat candida.

Working with a healthcare professional can be a great way to receive personalized guidance on how to best support your body’s microbiome health. Whether you need acute support for a summertime yeast infection or help addressing chronic yeast infections, Village Green’s team of nutritionists and naturopathic doctors can help to create a health plan specific for your needs.

The Most Effective Yeast Infection Treatment

Recently there have been a lot of questions on what the best yeast infection treatment is. The honest truth is that often it is not any single item that is most helpful. It is often reducing the overgrowth from within and easing the symptoms. Usually this means using antifungals along with changing your diet, microbiome, and lifestyle to keep the candida at bay.

OTC Options and the 1-Day Question

Over-the-counter antifungals come in 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day formats. The most effective OTC yeast infection treatment is often the one you finish. A 1-day insert delivers the full dose at once. The 3-day and 7-day versions spread it out over several applications. Any of these can help with an uncomplicated infection. When symptoms keep returning, talk with a healthcare provider about your yeast infection treatment.

Candida albicans is the most common culprit and usually responds readily to conventional azoles. Resistance should also be considered in some instances. There is now evidence for the global spread of fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis, which is one more reason why persistent symptoms warrant investigation rather than another over-the-counter remedy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use brewers yeast?

Brewer's dried yeast is quite easy to use, and people often look up its nutritional info. You can add a teaspoon to a smoothie, soup or juice, or sprinkle it over popcorn or roasted veggies. I recommend starting with a teaspoon per day, gradually increasing it to a tablespoon, always taken with a meal. If you have a history of yeast overgrowth, consult one of our health professionals first, as brewer’s yeast is a yeast-based food and may not be suitable for you.

Can men take AZO yeast plus?

Many wonder if a man can take AZO Yeast Plus, and yes, it may be taken by men as well. AZO Yeast Plus is indicated for temporary relief of occasional yeast and vaginal symptoms. AZO Yeast Plus tablets, which are oral and gender neutral, often earn positive reviews. However, if you have recurring symptoms, you should see a doctor instead of self treating. The treatment will vary depending upon the cause. This information is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice.

How long does AZO yeast plus take to work?

AZO Yeast Plus is a homeopathic remedy, and thus is not going to operate on the same time frame as a prescription anti-fungal. In some cases, symptoms may improve in a few days with regular use. Homeopathic treatments can vary in effectiveness based on the individual. Stubborn or recurrent symptoms warrant a good workup by a doctor.

As a homeopathic remedy, AZO Yeast Plus does not work as fast as a prescription anti-fungal. In some cases symptoms may improve in a few days with regular use, though how fast it works can vary based on the individual.

What's in brewer's yeast?

Brewer’s yeast is also known as deactivated Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the type of yeast used in beer making. When you review the brewer yeast nutrition facts, it is packed with essential nutrients, including B vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9. It also contains protein, chromium, selenium, and beta-glucans. Unlike active yeast which ferments sugars and produces carbon dioxide gas that makes bread rise, deactivated yeast is dead. Therefore, it will not cause dough to rise when used in baking. Instead, brewer’s yeast is eaten as a nutritious supplement or added to food, and many people ask about brewers yeast for weight gain and where to buy it in flake or powder form.

Is 1 day yeast infection treatment effective?

Even a 1-day treatment can work. It’s not necessarily going to get you relief any faster, though. Because these products are meant to deliver a one-time dose of antifungal, your symptoms will take a few days to clear up anyway. For first-time or uncomplicated yeast infections, the 1-, 3- and 7-day treatments may all work equally well. If you’ve had recurrent or more severe yeast infections, talk to your healthcare provider. You might need something longer, or different, altogether.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.