- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
She is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native stresses education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. She is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of several clinical trials evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns. She is director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and is a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a member to the board of directors for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of articles for MayoClinic.com.
"Having an opportunity to share information with my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," she says.
"The Web has become a major information site for people, and I want them to get the best and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Sex during vaginal infection: Is it OK?
Alternative medicine (1)
- Vaginal yeast infections: Are home remedies effective?
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Question
Vaginal yeast infections: Are home remedies effective?
Are there any effective home remedies for vaginal yeast infections?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
A number of natural products purport to prevent or cure vaginal yeast infections — a form of vaginitis — without prescription medication. Some popular home remedies include vinegar douches, tea tree oil cream, and vaginal suppositories made with garlic or boric acid.
Anecdotally, some women report success with these home remedies. However, well-designed, randomized, controlled trials would be needed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of these therapies before any reliable clinical recommendations can be made.
One exception may be Lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of beneficial bacteria normally found in the vagina. One study found that vaginal suppositories containing L. acidophilus did improve symptoms of vaginal yeast infections. However, other studies of oral preparations of L. acidophilus found little benefit.
Because conventional treatments for vaginal yeast infections — including antifungal creams and suppositories — are generally effective, it's probably best to use such treatments instead of home remedies.
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