I'm getting so frustrated!!

... my mother doesn't want me using tampons. She had gotten cancer from it..(i'm not sure what the rest of the story was) but yeah. My period isn't for about another 2 weeks. My doctors nurse said that sauercraut, yogurt and buttermilk can help a YI. She didn't say anything about the garlic thing. What am i doing wrong? I feel like giving up! I feel there is no hope for me. I don't know what i'm...