The nagging itch had come again and there had only been three weeks since my last bout. I went to the doctor. She gave me a prescription. I filled it. I used it. I was better for three weeks then I started the itch, see doctor, and get a prescription and relief cycle again. I was suffering with chronic yeast infections—from Candida albicans (the same fungus that causes athletes’ feet and jock itch)—and all my doctor was doing was treating my symptoms. I needed to understand why I kept suffering so I went on my own quest and what I found out has allowed me to treat and prevent reoccurrences:

• I had an imbalance in my flora, which essentially means that I had too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria in my intestines. We all have good and bad bacteria that naturally occur in our bodies. When there is an imbalance we get an infection.

• Sugar, white distilled vinegar (found in salad dressings, ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce and tons of other condiments), dairy, fried foods, products containing yeast and fungi (mushrooms and aged cheese) are culprits for yeast infections. It’s not that I can’t ever have these things foods; it’s just that I had to cut them out for about three weeks to promote long term healing.

• During my three weeks, I ate low fat plain yogurt and used it like a prescription vaginal cream. Yogurt is full of good bacteria, or probiotics, the live cells that help restore your flora balance. I also took a probiotic supplement and do so almost daily to maintain my flora balance. I avoid regular yogurts, especially the ones with the fruit, because their sugar content counteracts the good bacteria. I ate bunches of raw and juiced vegetables and lean, non-cured meats.

• Using internal prescription medicines (antibiotics) kill the good and bad bacteria. This is the reason I would get better and eventually get sick again. If I ever have to take antibiotics I make sure to take some probiotics after my course of medicine.

I was able to restore my health by doing my own investigation and mainly using the teachings of two doctors who are Christians that I admire, Don Colbert, M.D. and Valerie Saxion, N.D. When my doctor saw that I was no longer having yeast infections, she said, “Whatever you’re doing keep on doing.” I then knew even greater that it was my responsibility to take care of my temple. I can’t ever expect a doctor to solely do that for me.

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith