The Food and Drug administration released a warning today to pregnant women and their doctors.
The agency cautioned that the common antifungal drug fluconazole (Diflucan, Pfizer)—typically used to treat yeast infections—could be linked to miscarriage, even in low doses.
A recent Danish study uncovered the link that lead to the announcement. Researchers found that pregnant women who took oral fluconazole in their 7th to 22nd week of pregnancy had a significantly higher risk for miscarrying.
This isn’t the first time that fluconazole has come under fire.
Back in 2011 the FDA announced that daily doses of 400 to 800 mg of the drug taken during the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with a number of birth defects including cleft palate and brachycephaly.
If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant it may be best to avoid this drug for the time being, according to the announcement. Talk with your doctor about alternative yeast infection treatments. (And be sure to share this information with any pregnant women you know. It could literally save a life.)
If you’re suffering from a yeast infection there are some effective non-drug options you can consider.
4 solutions to fight yeast infections naturally
Following are 4 natural yeast infection treatments you can discuss using with your doctor. Always check with your doctor first!
1. Organic Apple Cider:
Typically there’s no reason to douche, the vagina is self-cleaning. Regular douching can put you at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease and even increase your risk for yeast infections in the long run as it kills off good bacteria.
However, if you’re suffering from a yeast infection an apple cider douche could help clear it up.
Caution: Never use a douche while pregnant unless given the okay by your doctor.
| Simple Apple Cider Douche |
|---|
| To make your own apple cider douche you need just two ingredients and a douche bottle or bag which you can find online or in a drug store.
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons raw organic apple cider vinegar |
| Directions:
Mix all ingredients together |
2. Probiotics:
A probiotic supplement or probiotic foods can help restore the good bacteria balance in your body naturally creating a slightly more acidic environment to help fight off the bugs that cause yeast infections.
If your doctor gives a supplement the thumbs up look for one that contains the Lactobacillus strain, which has been found to be useful in restoring vaginal flora.
3. Organic garlic:
Garlic is a natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Eating several cloves a day can help keep fungal infections at bay.
If you’re concerned about garlic breath ask your doctor about taking a garlic supplement instead.
4. Plain yogurt:
This is an old folk remedy that really works to restore vaginal flora and pH balance. Applying plain yogurt topically can help drive off a yeast infection.
Make sure you are using a plain yogurt with no added sugars or fruit. After getting your doctor’s okay insert a tablespoon or two into your vagina and apply externally to the vaginal area as well. Leave for several hours before washing away.
And if you’re prone to yeast infections there are some changes you can make today to help you avoid them in the future. Healthier Talk contributor Dr. Edward Group’ offers advice on avoiding yeast infections naturally here.
Healthier Talk
We believe that everyone has good ideas about how best to care for our loved ones and ourselves. Many of our contributors are doctors that have spent their life’s work invested in the health and well being of the human body and mind. Some have spent their lives tirelessly researching health and the human body, developing new vitamins and products dedicated to making people healthier.
Others are ordinary people that have natural family cures passed down from generations, or discovered an inexpensive home remedy out of necessity or even by accident.
So Healthier Talk not only offers professional advice and solutions, but also provides much sought after natural family cures and at-home remedies, right at your fingertips!
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