Vaginal yeast infections can occur because of many reasons. Factors that are thought to help contribute to vaginal yeast infection include pregnancy, diabetes, and the use oral contraceptives, steroids, and antibiotics. Yeast infection also occurs more often after menopause because of declining estrogen levels, which thin the vaginal walls.

To avoid yeast infection one should not wear tight-fitting clothing or clothing made out of synthetic material. One should wear only cotton panties. One should not wear pantyhose or leotards every day. One should use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry the genital area after a bath or shower and before getting dressed. One should wipe from front to back after using the toilet. This may help prevent the bacteria that normally live in the rectum from getting into the vagina. One should change out of wet swimsuits or other damp clothes as soon as possible. One should not douche or use feminine hygiene sprays, deodorant sanitary pads, or tampons. One should also avoid using colored or perfumed toilet paper. All these items appear to affect the balance of acidity in the vagina and can, thus, lead to yeast infections.

Yeast infection is not usually sexually transmitted. So there is no fear of one infecting one’s sexual partner.

A vaginal yeast infection is caused by a fungus that is usually present in the vagina. It is estimated that almost 75 per cent of all women will have a yeast infection in their lifetime.

A yeast infection is characterized by itching and burning around the vagina, white vaginal discharge that may look like cottage cheese, pain during sexual intercourse, and burning with urination.

It is best to see a doctor and get it confirmed as an yeast infection as there are other diseases with the same symptoms. Also get yourself checked if the infection persists despite medication. Another reason to see the doctor is if you are already suffering from AIDS or diabetes or if you have multiple sexual partners.

There are certain yeast infection natural remedies such as probiotics, boric acid, yoghurt, and tree tea oil. These are used as oral supplements or as vaginal suppositories. Care should be taken in their use, especially boric acid. It should not be ingested. Pregnant women should not use it, nor should it be applied to the skins of babies or infants.

Probiotics are good bacteria that digest or kill the bad bacteria in your body. This defeats the infection. Moreover, there are fewer side effects with the use of probiotics. Boric acid has mild anti septic and anti fungal properties. However, care needs to be taken in its use. It is never to be ingested orally. Yoghurt can be applied locally or topically to cure a yeast infection. So, can tree tea oil. However, the last two cases have not been proven scientifically. So try them first. Stick to them if they work for you. Otherwise move on to other medication after consulting your doctor.

Search the Net for more information on yeast infection natural treatment. You can also go in for over the counter medication or doctor prescribed medication.

Yeast infection medications include topically applied medicines such as butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, and terconazole. Antifungal medications are also available as vaginal tablets and include: clotrimazole, miconazole, terconazole, and nystatin. There is oral medication also in the form of fluconazole.

Vaginal suppositories and topically applied creams are considered as having fewer side effects than oral medicines. So, most doctors prescribe the former. Oral medicines are also not advised during pregnancy. So, if you are pregnant, please do inform the doctor of the fact before they prescribe for you.

Using a yeast infection medicine to combat what is not an yeast infection can lead to hard to treat yeast infections later on. So it is best to consult a doctor and make sure that your infection has been caused by yeast before you start treatment for yeast infection with over the counter medication. This is all the more important if this is your first infection, or if the infection persists even after you have tried over the counter medication.

The important thing to note here is that it is best to consult a doctor about an yeast infection, especially if this is the first time you are being so infected.