Do Home Remedies For Vaginal Infections Work?

Vaginal infections can be uncomfortable, annoying, and distressing. They affect your physical well-being, daily life, and sex life. Whether it’s a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or another common issue, many people look for relief through natural or homeopathic remedies.

In this blog, we’ll explore a range of home remedies for vaginal infections that can complement professional medical care, with a focus on the science and research behind these remedies.

Keep in mind that these remedies are not substitutes for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Always consult a healthcare provider to receive appropriate treatment and guidance tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. Balancing professional care with thoughtful natural remedies can help you reach your treatment goals.

The Vagina and Related Anatomy

First and foremost, we need to clarify the anatomy that will be discussed below as there is often confusion surrounding what is and is not the vagina. Here is a basic guide to the vagina and surrounding anatomy — often called the female anatomy or the anatomy of those assigned female at birth (AFAB):

The Vulva

The vulva is the external part of the AFAB anatomy. This includes the labia majora, labia minora, the vestibule, and the visible part of the clitoris:

• Mons pubis: At the top of the vulva is the mons pubis, or pubic mound, where you can find pubic hair (unless it has been removed).
• Labia majora: Outer folds of skin, sometimes called “lips.” They can vary in size and may have pubic hair on them.
• Labia minora: Inner folds of skin, sometimes called “inner lips.” They might protrude past the labia majora, and they can vary in size and color, ranging from pink to red or purple tones.
• Clitoris: The clitoral glans (or the head of the clitoris) is visible externally. It is found where the top of the labia minora meet and varies in size.
• Vestibule: Tissue between the labia and vagina and anus. This skin can range from pink to red or purple tones.
• Vaginal opening: Opening between the urethra and anus leading to the vagina.

The Vagina

Often confused with the vulva, the vagina is solely the internal canal that starts at the vaginal opening (between the urethra and anus) and leads to the cervix, and then the uterus. The vagina can range in length and texture and is a wonderfully complex organ. Here are some fun facts about the vagina:

1. It is self-cleaning.

The vagina contains its own ecosystem, or microbiome, of bacteria and fungi. The vaginal microbiome works together to keep the correct balance of good bacteria and fungi. For this reason, you do not need to wash your vagina — you may rinse your vulva with water, but the vagina should remain free from any soaps or washes.

2. It is acidic.

You may have heard the term “vaginal pH” before. A healthy vagina has a pH of around 3.8 to 5 – making the vagina more acidic than other parts of the body. [1]

3. Size varies.

The average unaroused vagina is about 3.5 inches deep, but this varies based on a lot of factors, such as age, weight, surgeries, whether you’ve gone through menopause, and also it just is different from person to person. When aroused, the cervix tilts upward, which lengthens the vaginal canal to accommodate sexual activity. One common myth is that sex stretches out the vagina making it loose; this is not true. The vagina can stretch, but it is very elastic and will return to its previous size. The only thing that may affect this is childbirth via vaginal delivery. [2]

4. Smell is normal.

The vagina has a natural smell that varies from person to person and can depend on factors like diet, where a person is in their menstrual cycle, if they have recently had sex, and even sweating. An abnormal odor, however, can indicate infection. [2]

Vaginal Infections 101

There are many types of infections that can afflict the vaginal and vulva, and depending on their cause, they require different treatments. Let’s walk through all the different infections, their causes, their symptoms, and their treatments. When discussing treatments, we will also touch on relevant home remedies, their efficacy, and whether you are better off seeking care from a professional healthcare provider.

Vaginitis

There are different types of vaginitis, which is a blanket term referring to these types of infections. Vaginitis is when the vagina is inflamed, causing symptoms like discharge, itching, and/or pain. This article will discuss bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is incredibly common for those assigned female at birth and women between the ages of 15 and 44 — more than a third of people with a vagina will get BV, as indicated by the Cleveland Clinic. [3] There are higher rates of BV for Black and Mexican American women compared to White and Hispanic women, according to research in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. [4]

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria that normally live in harmony within the vaginal microbiome. When the ratio of bacteria and yeast is thrown off and bacteria overgrowth is the culprit, you get bacterial vaginosis.

How does this overgrowth start? First, it is not sexually transmitted, but sexual activity can lead to BV. It most often occurs in people who are sexually active, though sexual activity is not a prerequisite. The risk of BV may be higher if you are pregnant, have an intrauterine device (IUD), have multiple sex partners or new partners, if you douche, if you are taking antibiotics, or if you have unprotected sex. [3]

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include vaginal irritation, off-white, gray, or greenish discharge that may have a fishy odor (particularly after sex), vaginal itching or irritation, burning sensation when you pee. You may, however, not experience symptoms – up to 84% of bacterial vaginosis will not have symptoms. [3]

Some cases of BV will resolve on their own (usually when the person doesn’t have symptoms), but the most common treatment is a course of antibiotics (usually metronidazole or clindamycin) prescribed by a healthcare provider. Here are some BV home remedies and their efficacy [5,6,7]. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before attempting:

• Probiotic supplements: Research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health showed that “probiotic-only regimes are safe and may exhibit short-term and long-term beneficial effects for BV treatment” and researchers suggest further investigation.
• Oral garlic supplements: Garlic supplements are taken ORALLY. A study in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journals showed that “garlic could be a suitable alternative for metronidazole in treatment of BV in those interested in herbal medicines or those affected by side effects of metronidazole.”
• Boric acid suppositories: Boric acid should NEVER be taken orally. A study in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases showed that using intravaginal boric acid alongside antibiotics can be beneficial.

Yeast Infections

Yeast infections occur when there is an overgrowth of the fungus “candida” in the vagina and are sometimes called “thrush”—up to 75% of people assigned female at birth will have a yeast infection at least once in their life, usually during their “child-bearing” years. [8]

Candida naturally lives in the vagina, but when there is an overgrowth, a yeast infection occurs. It is not a sexually transmitted infection and anyone can get one. Your risk of developing a yeast infection increases when you are pregnant, are taking antibiotics (or undergoing certain medical treatments), are taking birth control pills or certain steroids, have a weakened immune system, or have unmanaged diabetes. Other behaviors can increase your risk, including sitting in a wet bathing suit, not changing out of your sweaty clothes, and/or using products with a fragrance on the vulva or in the vagina (like scented tampons or vaginal deodorant). [9]

Symptoms may include itching or burning in the vagina and vulva, thick white discharge, redness or swelling of the vulva/vagina, small cuts on the vulva, a burning sensation while peeing, and pain during sex. [9]

A yeast infection will not go away on its own. Antifungal medications treat most yeast infections and can be taken orally (one dose of fluconazole) or topically (like miconazole or terconazole on or in the vagina), or through an intravaginal suppository. You should generally avoid having sex until your infection is resolved. [9]

According to research, it is not clear whether home remedies help resolve yeast infections. Probiotics, garlic, yogurt, and tea tree oil are all considered home remedies, but according to InformedHealth.org, “there’s hardly any research on whether these kinds of home remedies can help to get rid of vaginal yeast infections or prevent them,” and even worse, they can cause allergies, irritate the mucous membranes, and make symptoms worse. [8] Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before trying any home remedies.

Sexual and Vaginal Health Care With Everlywell

While various home remedies may help alleviate symptoms, it’s crucial to emphasize that seeking medical care should always be your first step. Proper diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare professional ensure that you address the root cause of the infection and avoid potential complications. You can get treatment for yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, UTIs, and other sexual health conditions with Everlywell. Everlywell is the perfect way to receive vaginal health care and STI testing online and from the comfort of your home.

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References

1. Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ. Vaginal pH Value for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Vaginitis. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. Published 2021 Oct 27. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996. Medical Citation URL.
2. Vagina: Anatomy, function, conditions & what’s normal. Cleveland Clinic. May 1, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
3. Bacterial vaginosis (BV): Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. May 1, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
4. Alcendor DJ. Evaluation of Health Disparity in Bacterial Vaginosis and the Implications for HIV-1 Acquisition in African American Women. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2016;76(2):99-107. doi:10.1111/aji.12497. Medical Citation URL.
5. Wang Z, He Y, Zheng Y. Probiotics for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(20):3859. Published 2019 Oct 12. doi:10.3390/ijerph16203859
6. Mohammadzadeh F, Dolatian M, Jorjani M, Alavi Majd H, Borumandnia N. Comparing the therapeutic effects of garlic tablet and oral metronidazole on bacterial vaginosis: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014;16(7):e19118. doi:10.5812/ircmj.19118
7. Surapaneni S, Akins R, Sobel JD. Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis: An Unmet Therapeutic Challenge. Experience With a Combination Pharmacotherapy Long-Term Suppressive Regimen. Sex Transm Dis. 2021;48(10):761-765. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001420
8. Overview: Vaginal yeast infection (thrush). InformedHealth.org. April 4, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
9. Vaginal yeast infection: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. June 13, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. Medical Citation URL.