The dose is one-quarter teaspoon of powder or two capsules twice a day with meals throughout any course of antibiotics and for two weeks afterwards. Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics in the first place is always a good idea.

STEROID DRUGS OR ANTI-CANCER DRUGS: These decrease or destroy the body's natural immune systems. Even repeated or too frequent use of cortisone skin creams may predispose you to yeast infections since some of the cortisone is absorbed into the blood stream.

DIABETES: Sometimes the first sign of diabetes is a yeast vaginal infection that stubbornly won't go away or that keeps coming back. All women with recurrent yeast infections should have a blood and urine screening test for diabetes at least once.

THE OVERALL STATE OF YOUR HEALTH: Stress, fatigue, overwork, lack of sleep, and a poor diet high in sugars and refined foods can make you more vulnerable to yeast infections. Anemia, low levels of thyroid hormones in your blood, and other diseases or infections present in your body can do the same thing.

MENOPAUSE: During and after menopause, with its hormonal changes, the cells of the vagina may become thinner and cervical secretions may become less. This may make women a little more susceptible to yeast vaginal infections.

Predisposing Factors That Affect The Vagina Locally

WARM AND MOIST CONDITIONS: Just before or during the period, the menstrual blood is alkaline, and the moist, warm conditions are favourable to yeast growth. This is why anti-yeast medications must be continued throughout menstruation.

TIGHT CLOTHING: Tight-fitting pants, nylon panty-hose, and synthetic underwear don't allow the vagina to breathe properly. One hundred percent cotton underwear and pants of at least 60 percent natural fibres are recommended.

DEODORANTS AND SPRAYS: Vaginal deodorants and sprays are not only useless, they disturb the natural balance of the vagina. Perfumed tampons, coloured or perfumed toilet paper and bubble bath should also be avoided. Some women develop severe allergic reactions to the perfumes or chemicals used in these products. All of these products can irritate and inflame the vagina and make you more prone to vaginal infections.

DOUCHING: Douching is generally unnecessary and too much douching can be harmful. If you are going to douche, a dilute vinegar douche (two tablespoons of white vinegar to a quart of lukewarm water) is suggested once or twice a month, preferably just before menstruation. Vinegar douches can be used as an initial treatment at the first sign of a vaginal infection. Pregnant women should never douche.

TOILET HABITS: Toilet habits can also contribute to an increased chance of infection. In wiping with toilet paper, women should always wipe from front to back and not the other way around. This avoids the spread of yeast and other germs from the rectum to the vagina.

CUTS AND ABRASIONS: Vaginal cuts and abrasions can occur while inserting tampons or while making love, especially if the woman is not well lubricated.

MEN AND SEX: An intense period of sex after a long period of abstinence may be a factor in recurring yeast infections. Some men get an irritation around their foreskin area, which is usually treated with an anti-yeast skin cream. Oral-genital sex may spread yeast from mouth to vagina.

Yeast probably can be sexually transmitted, but this has yet not been proven. However, in a large percentage of cases, yeast can also be cultured from the penises of men whose partners have recurrent yeast infections. In these cases, the men may need to take oral anti-yeast medications while their partners are being treated.

Even for simple yeast infections, condoms should be used until the woman has completed her treatment.

Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection

The main symptoms of yeast infections are usually vaginal discharge and itching of the genital area. The discharge is usually white and varies from being a little to a lot;, from being thin and mucousy to thick, curdy and cottage cheese-like (with anything in between being possible).