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Reviewed by Lisa Blohm, PhD, MSN, RN

In this article:

No one wants to get a yeast infection. And we mean NO ONE. But you can help your body avoid getting a yeast infection and help your body heal fast — here’s how to get rid of a yeast infection in as little as 24 hours! Whether you’re dealing with a mild infection or your symptoms are more severe, here are a range of methods to get you back to feeling like you as soon as possible.

Home Remedies for Mild Yeast Infections

Natural home remedies are a great option to rid your body of a mild yeast infection. If you’re suffering from uncomfortable yet bearable symptoms, these methods can effectively and naturally kick the Candida bacteria to the curb. 

Probiotic supplements target bacterial balance in your whole body — so it makes sense that they can help with a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis! Ladies, since we’re more prone to these, choose a targeted probiotic for females, like MegaFood MegaFlora Women’s Probiotic, to promote vaginal and urinary tract health. Tip: Take a probiotic in conjunction with an antifungal treatment to flush the yeast infection out even quicker!

Boric acid may sound boring, but it’s an ingredient that has some serious antifungal properties. There are many boric acid suppositories available for purchase that can help naturally relieve symptoms of yeast infections.

Tea tree oil is a powerful fungus-fighting compound. Tea tree essential oils are very potent and the vagina is a very delicate area. While there’s some debate about the best way to take tea tree oil to help get rid of your yeast infection, it’s vital to properly dilute tea tree oil in a carrier oil before use. The best (and safest) bet is to purchase a tea tree oil suppository from a reputable brand. 

Greek Yogurt is full of healthy bacteria, which is why it can rebalance vaginal bacteria and alleviate some yeast infection symptoms. Simply scoop some plain greek yogurt onto your fingers and massage into the skin around and just inside your vagina. Make sure the yogurt contains Lactobacillus and is free from sweeteners or other additives! It might seem a little strange, but the cool yogurt can also help with itching and irritation, as well! This allows for an effective solution and natural alternative to an antifungal treatment, especially for pregnant women struggling with a yeast infection. 

Baking soda and water is another gentle option that can rebalance the pH of your vagina and get rid of yeast infections. Mix one teaspoon in a half cup or so of warm water. Pour it gently into your vagina or douche. Alternatively, take a hot bath with two cups of baking soda added to the water. 

Coconut oil is full of antioxidants and has impressive antifungal properties! This makes it a great home remedy for a yeast infection. Simply spread 100% organic coconut oil onto your fingers and insert into the vagina. Or, try applying a light coat of organic coconut oil to a clean tampon before inserting it. 

OTC Medications For Moderate to Severe Yeast Infections

Yeast infections can be miserable, and natural options for relieving yeast infections aren’t always strong enough to act fast. For moderate to severe yeast infections, we recommend over-the-counter medications to powerfully — and quickly! — relieve the itching, burning, and irritation caused by the fungus. 

Here are the top three OTC medications for fast-acting yeast infection relief:

1. Monistat 1-Dose Yeast Infection Treatment For Women: This convenient over-the-counter option is a single-dose ointment that offers fast-acting relief from yeast infections due to its potent antifungal agent, tioconazole. This has been shown to effectively target and eliminate the yeast causing the infection and fight harmful bacteria. You should see improvement in three days or less.

2. FemiClear Yeast Infection Treatment Ointment – 2 Day Dose: Fast-acting and made from organic ingredients, FemiClear is a popular option for soothing painful yeast infections. This two-day dose offers a solution for moderate to severe yeast infection symptoms with two suppositories and an anti-itch ointment. 

3. Clotrimazole-3 Cream: Antifungal treatments powerfully alleviate the source of yeast infections. Clotrimazole-3 Cream is a three-day treatment that is applied directly inside the vagina with an applicator. 

Important note: If pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning a yeast infection treatment.

Naturopath-Recommended Supplements for Yeast Infection Relief

Here at The Healthy Place, our board of naturopaths collaborates to provide natural solutions for optimal wellness and to address the root causes of health conditions. Here are some of their recommendations to best relieve yeast infections and prevent future infections!

• Candidase Extra Strength: This dietary supplement rebalances your yeast levels thanks to its high-potency formula. It works by lowering Candida overgrowth and balancing bacteria in your GI tract, urinary tract, and vagina. It’s packed with fungus-busting probiotics and the added support your vagina needs to beat a yeast infection!

• Renew Life CandiSmart: Candidase is most effective when it’s paired with a rapid cleanse system like Renew Life CandiSmart, a targeted yeast cleansing formula. It’s a 15-day, two-part targeted yeast cleansing formula designed to banish excess yeast, alleviate symptoms, and help your body naturally rebalance your flora.

Bonus: This duo helps prevent recurrent yeast infections and nourishes your other flora, too. From your gut to your intestines, your vagina to your urinary tract, and every microcolony in between, this program will help you get rid of your yeast infection, fast! By combining these two supplements, you just discovered how to effectively get rid of yeast infections (at least the common mild-to-moderate yeast infections). While this method is excellent for most, any signs of a severe yeast infection will warrant a chat with your doctor. 

• Lively Vitamin Co. Great Guts 25 Billion: Great Guts 25 Billion offers a robust blend of probiotics that nourish your gut flora and help rebuild healthy bacteria. We recommend this as an everyday probiotic supplement to help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, vaginal flora, and digestive function. Thanks to the addition of L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, and L. reuturi, this probiotic is magnificent for maintaining a healthy vaginal bacteria balance which can help protect against future yeast infections.

What If My Yeast Infection Won’t Go Away?

It’s important to pay attention to your body and your symptoms! If you have a severe yeast infection, seek medical attention promptly. If your symptoms are extremely uncomfortable or haven’t improved in the last 72 hours, get to your doctor, girl (or brother)!

9 Ways to Prevent a Yeast Infection

Unfortunately, recurrent yeast infections are a reality for many. Three out of every four women have a yeast infection at least once in their life, and many of those women will develop recurrent yeast infections. But there are some things you can do to prevent future yeast infections. 

1. Avoid extremely tight-fitting pants or panties. 
2. Avoid douching, which removes all the bacteria from your vagina — the good and the bad. 
3. Avoid scented feminine products, bath products, toilet paper, or personal hygiene products. 
4. Change pads or tampons frequently. 
5. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics. When you do need antibiotics, take probiotics during the entire antibiotic cycle and for several weeks after to avoid bacterial imbalance. 
6. Avoid wet or damp clothes. Change out of sweaty gym clothes stat. And try not to hang out in a soggy bikini at the beach!
7. Avoid synthetic panties. Instead, choose organic cotton, bamboo, linen, or other forms of natural fibers. These are far more breathable and much better for your lady bits — and man parts too!
8. Promote personal hygiene for your sexual partner! Anything that goes into your vagina can introduce harmful bacteria and make you more susceptible to an infection. The reverse is also true — women need to practice healthy personal hygiene as well.
9. Wipe from front to back. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria or yeast from the anus to your vagina. 
10. Avoid eating lots of sugars, yeast-heavy, or processed foods. These foods are hard on the natural flora of your body and can contribute to yeast overgrowth.

Understanding Yeast Infections: Symptoms and Causes

Yeast infections are the result of an overgrowth of fungus on the skin, mouth, and genital areas of both men and women — although, vaginal infections are the most common. Bacteria imbalance, hormone shifts, weakened immunity, and even your diet can be to blame for your unpleasant run-in with Candida. Take your time to understand the symptoms and causes of yeast infections so you can begin to work your way towards feeling 100% again.

Identifying Yeast Infection Symptoms

For Women:

• Thick, white discharge resembling cottage cheese
• Itching, burning, and irritation, primarily in the vulva
• Pain during intercourse
• Burning sensation during urination
• Vaginal pain, soreness, or swelling
• Skin sores or fissures
• Potential for bleeding or a raw rash

For Men:

• Discharge with a foul odor
• Itching and irritation between the penis and foreskin
• Redness, rashes, or pus-filled bumps
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Trouble pulling back the foreskin

What Causes Yeast Infections in Women?

While a yeast infection can occur just about anywhere in the body, your vagina is often a hotbed for bad fungus, bacteria, and yeast. Here are some things that can affect your vagina’s balance and cause a yeast infection in women: 

• Hormonal Changes: Shifting hormone levels during events like PMS, menopause, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can affect vaginal health. DIM Complex, Estromend, PM Phytogen, and Get Even are all excellent choices for balancing out-of-control hormones for women. 
• Antibiotic Use: Antibiotics kill both “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria, meaning you’re susceptible to a bacterial imbalance — and yeast infection. If you’ve taken antibiotics at any point, we strongly recommend taking probiotics (like this one or this one!) to help your body reestablish good bacteria and yeast balance. 
• Diabetes, especially uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes, can cause yeast overgrowth. High levels of sugar in the body feeds the yeast in your vagina. If you’re diabetic, you should check out this natural glucose support supplement — it’s one of the most effective products we carry!
• Weakened Immune Health: If your immune system is out of whack, it can promote yeast growth. Elderberry supplements (like our all-time favorite) and other immune-boosting supplements are designed to strengthen and fortify your immune system. They’re a great choice to help your body naturally get rid of yeast infections.  
• Douches, Vaginal Sprays, and Similar Products: These can strip your vagina of healthy bacteria and lead to infection. Avoid doing this unless specifically advised to by your doctor. 
• Your Diet: Diet has a key role in vaginal health! Diets high in sugar or fermented foods can cause a yeast infection. Eliminating sugar is always at the top of the list — yeast feeds off of sugars!

What Causes Yeast Infections in Men?

• Unprotected Sexual Intercourse: Having sex with a woman who has a vaginal yeast infection can result in getting one yourself. Be sure to exercise caution when getting intimate!
• Poor Hygiene: This can make you vulnerable to infection as you’re not properly caring for your private parts. Take showers or baths frequently. 
• Being Uncircumcised: The foreskin is a happy home for harmful bacteria and fungi that may lead to infection. If you practice good hygiene, however, this won’t be an issue.
• Taking Antibiotics: Antibiotics have the same effect on men as they do on women. They kill good and bad bacteria, often leaving your body out of balance and more susceptible to yeast infections.
• Diabetes, too, can lead to a yeast infection in men.
• Your Diet: This is more important than you might think! Avoid high-carb, high-sugar foods that may lead to a yeast infection.

How Long Does a Yeast Infection Last?

Yeast infections vary in both severity and the amount of time it takes to beat them. Some yeast infections subside on their own with no intervention. On average, a yeast infection usually will clear up after a few days with natural supplements and home remedies. 

Severe or stubborn yeast infections, which can last much longer, may require doctor intervention and medication. 

UTI vs Yeast Infection — Are They Different?

If you’re still not sure that you’re dealing with a yeast infection, there’s a possibility you may have a UTI instead. This is because many symptoms are similar between UTIs and yeast infections. They’re both infections that occur “down there” and might be to blame if you feel a burning sensation when you pee — yet they’re very different! 

Many folks commonly confuse a UTI with a yeast infection and vice versa. Here’s what you need to know.

UTIs occur when “bad” bacteria enter your urinary system. UTIs can affect you anywhere along your urinary tract, from your urethra all the way up to your bladder, ureters, and kidneys. You’ll likely feel a burning sensation when you pee and will feel the need to “go” much more frequently than normal. Your urine may appear cloudy and have a strong odor. 

Yeast infections in women don’t typically result in pee or discharge that has much (if any) of an odor, which can be a helpful distinguishing symptom between a UTI and a yeast infection.

Here are some common causes of UTIs: 

• Contact with Stool: Your poo contains all kinds of “bad” bacteria — including E.coli. When you don’t practice good bathroom hygiene (or love wearing thongs), bacteria from your stool can enter your urinary system. 
• Having Sex: During intercourse, there’s a lot going on down there. Bacteria can be introduced to the vagina and urethra by the penis. It’s recommended that women urinate promptly after having sex to help flush out any bacteria from the urethra. 
• Not Peeing Enough: If you’re prone to “hold it” as long as you can, think again. Not urinating frequently enough can cause UTIs.
• Exposure to STIs (sexually transmitted infections): In addition to potentially causing you to develop a STD, a sexually transmitted infection can also introduce harmful bacteria to the urinary tract, causing a UTI.
• Bath Bombs and Hot Tubs: Not so relaxing, huh? Hot tubs are often a hotbed of bacteria if proper cleaning procedures aren’t followed. Additionally, bath bombs or a bubble bath may cause inflammation of the urethra and increase the risk of obtaining a UTI.

Here’s some additional info you may find helpful:

• Both men and women can get UTIs, but women are more likely to develop a UTI simply because of their anatomy.
• You can have a UTI and a yeast infection at the same time. If this is your situation, you have our deepest sympathies. We’d suggest you see your doctor for some help finding rapid relief. 
• You don’t need to be sexually active to experience a UTI.

Find Your Healthy Place Here!

The Healthy Place provides realistic, natural health information and solutions — like hot to get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours! Recognizing symptoms, maintaining optimal health, and consulting healthcare providers are pivotal in managing and preventing yeast infections and UTIs.

If you’re still struggling to understand the best natural remedies for a yeast infection, our team of certified Wellness Consultants is ready to help. Send us a LiveChat message — we promise to be discreet! We’re here to help you Find Your Healthy Place!

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