Home Remedies for Treating Yeast Infection and UTI

Urinary tract infections affect women for many reasons either due to hygiene practices or because of sexual practices. The women’s anatomy has a short urethra and it is located near the vagina and also near the rectum. Improper hygiene and sexual practices can easily cause infections to occur.

Yeast infections are also quite common in women and it doesn’t have to be sexually transmitted.

The woman’s natural environment around her perineum can determine if she is at risk for developing yeast infections. If the natural flora of the woman’s perineum or perianal area dies, bacteria can propagate. The woman’s pH also determines the occurrence of yeast infections. The more alkaline or basic the woman’s perineal pH is, the more this is susceptible for fungal growth or yeast infections.

Yeast Infection and UTI at the Same Time

It is possible for women to experience a yeast infection as well as a urinary tract infection at the same time.

• When the urinary tract is infected, the most common treatment of choice is to prescribe antibiotics. The antibiotics used not only kills the bacteria causing the urinary tract infection but it can also kill the natural flora in the woman’s perineal area.
  This leads to the propagation or growth of other microorganisms such as fungi which thrives in dark and moist areas.
• Certain hygienic practices as well as dietary habits can also lead to a urinary tract infection and also a change in the woman’s vaginal pH. The woman’s vaginal pH is naturally acidic to keep it safe from microorganisms and infection. When the woman’s vaginal pH changes to a more basic or alkaline level, microorganisms such as fungi can thrive.
• Yeast infection can also cause a urinary tract infection because of the woman’s anatomical structure. The presence of fungi is a microorganism not naturally present in the woman’s perineal area. When this enters the woman’s urethra, it can cause a urinary tract infection.

Yeast Infection and UTI Symptoms

These two disease conditions have very different symptoms.

Symptoms of a Yeast Infection:

• Vaginal itchiness
• Burning sensation
• Vaginal irritation
• Pain on urination
• Painful intercourse
• Odorless vaginal discharge.
• Vaginal discharge that varies in color from white-gray to yellowish.
• Vaginal discharge that may be thick or watery in consistency.

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection:

• Urinary urgency
• Dysuria
• Burning sensation while urinating.
• Incomplete bladder emptying.
• Cloudy, smelly, or bloody urine.
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Flank or abdominal pain

Yeast Infection and UTI Home Remedies

There are available remedies that can be found and done at home to prevent further occurrence of yeast infection and urinary tract infections.

• Drink plenty of water. This will flush out bacteria causing the urinary tract infection.
• Eat a healthy diet. Food can cause urinary tract infections. Avoid junk foods and processed foods and eat fresh foods, fruits and vegetables that are rich sources of vitamins and minerals.
• Vitamin and mineral supplementation. This increases the body’s immune system to help fight the infections.
• Take probiotics. Probiotics are good for the body’s intestinal flora. Probiotics have also been found to change the perineal pH, preventing fungal growth.
• Drink juices such as cranberry or prune juices. This acidifies the urine which helps in relieving and treating urinary tract infections.
• Practice proper hygiene. Wipe from front to back, from vagina to anus and never the other way around.
• Practice safe sex practices. Always wash before and after sexual intercourse and use protection.