Yeast Vaginitis
Problems Of Yeast Vaginitis
When people talk of a yeast infection, this is the specific type that they are commonly referring to, although as you are going to discover, it is not the only form of yeast infection.
Vaginitis is a yeast infection of the vaginal area and so it is a problem that is suffered by women. It is a very common infection, with some estimates putting the number of women who will suffer from a yeast infection of this type at some time in their lives as high as 75%!
The first sign that many women get that they have a yeast infection is itching or pain accompanied by an odorless, ricotta cheese-like discharge. Further symptoms that are seen are:
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Vaginal itching or burning
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White, cheese like discharge that is sometimes lumpy (think cottage cheese) and sometimes not. However, this discharge can range from being a thick, grey-white discharge that smells like bread or beer to a thin liquid that is faintly yellow or even clear like water.
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Inflammation or swelling of the outer vaginal area possibly accompanied by the discharge, as well as a rash or sores
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Vulva irritation.
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Painful and frequent urination.
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Discomfort during or after sexual intercourse
However, it is important to appreciate that having any of these symptoms is not necessarily a surefire sign that you have a yeast infection. There are many other possibilities and it is crucial that you consult your medical care professional to get a proper diagnosis if you discover any of these symptoms.
What you must not do is diagnose yourself, decide that you have a yeast infection and then buy over the counter creams or lotions to get rid of it. Firstly, if your self diagnosis is wrong, which is very possible, the cream that you buy may not work, so that is money wasted.
Secondly and far more importantly, if every time you get a vaginal itch or burning sensation, you apply an over the counter solution to the problem area, then you are going to kill a high percentage of the normal harmless yeasts. The only ones that are likely to survive are those that become drug resistant.
Consequently, if at any time in the future you do get a vaginal yeast infection (and remember the estimate that 3 out of every 4 women across the world will get such an infection at some time in their lives), you will need to go to your medical attendant for something much stronger and potentially more harmful.
It is estimated that in the USA, for example, as many as 25-30% of vaginal yeast infection cases are now suffered by women who are already resistant to the passive over the counter treatments that can be obtained. This is bad news, especially for those women who have other heath problems that make it difficult for them to take the stronger drugs that their medical attendant would otherwise recommend.
That’s why I recommend that you tackle your yeast infection naturally.
Clothing: Wearing clothing that is too tight or close fitting creates almost perfect conditions for a vaginal yeast infection to develop.
Avoid wearing nylon pantyhose or nylon underwear as it is estimated that wearing man-made fibers next to the skin in this way can triple your chances of getting a yeast infection. Stick to unbleached cotton underwear if at all possible, because it allows the crotch to ‘breathe’.
Change your underwear frequently – at least once a day is a minimum – and do not sleep wearing underwear. Underwear that is ‘clogged’ with dirt creates ideal conditions for the yeast to become a mold.
After washing your underwear, boil it for five minutes to make sure that all of the yeast cells that survive the washing process are killed, or press them with an iron that is set as hot as possible to achieve the same end result. I have even heard of people ‘nuking’ their undies in the microwave for a couple of minutes, but be careful if you do, as it might just completely destroy your favorite items!
If you have been swimming, avoid staying in your wet costume for any longer than necessary. The wet bottom half of the costume creates conditions where your skin cannot breathe, allowing yeast to flourish.
Chemicals: Avoid using strong, non-natural soaps, because there is a fair chance that the chemicals in these soaps are not good for you (especially in such a delicate area of the body). They also wash away the ‘good’ bacteria that help keep the yeast under control, so instead of washing being a valuable aid to keeping yeast at bay, you are actually achieving the opposite if you use soap that contains chemicals in it.
The same is true of bubble bath or shower gel solutions, and douches that are not 100% made of natural ingredients should be avoided as well.
Beware of clothes that contain dyes and inks for the same reason. The chemicals in them may irritate the vaginal area, and heavily dyed clothing (especially underwear) may not ‘breathe’ well.
Even those scented, dyed toilet tissues that seem like such a great idea to make the bathroom a ‘nicer’ environment have been known to cause yeast infections. Plain, unbleached toilet tissue is a far better option than any of the fancy, more expensive ’boutique’ varieties, as well as being cheaper.
Sexual practices: As you will read in Penile Yeast Infection, although it is far less common, men too can get yeast infections in the groin area and they can be unaware of the fact that they are infected because it can sometimes be completely asymptomatic.
For this reason, it is entirely possible for sexual partners of both genders to pass yeast infections backward and forwards. If you or your partner is infected, it is advisable to practice safe sex and to use a condom.
Beware condoms that are lubricated with anything that contains nonoxynol-9, spermicide that is believed to help kill the HIV virus. It has now been established that this chemical also contributes to yeast infections is some women so follow the advice and don’t use anything containing nonoxynol-9 if you are in any doubt.
Hormones: At the various times in your life when your hormonal balance changes, you become far more susceptible to yeast infections.
For example, pregnant women are particularly prone to yeast infection during pregnancy, and at such an important time, you must absolutely ensure that the treatment you apply to the problem is safe for both you and your unborn baby.
The tendency to suffer yeast infections during pregnancy will significantly increase during the last three months of your interment because of changes in acidity and sugar levels that take place in the vaginal area in preparation for the impending birth.
Because contraceptive birth control pills contain either male or female hormones, it is common for women who are taking them to suffer regular yeast infections. Also, going through the menopause makes many women considerably more susceptible to recurring vaginitis.
Specific treatments for vaginitis
Garlic tampons: Peel a clove of garlic, but be careful that it does not get damaged, as it has been reported that garlic oil (which would be released in the damaged area) might sometimes burn. Wrap the garlic in a thin cloth (with a trailing string, so it can be removed easily) and then insert into the vagina like a tampon, although you can use the garlic ‘as is’, without the cloth if you choose to. Remember to remove it the next day.
Vinegar douche: Mix a tablespoon of vinegar and a similar amount of active yoghurt together with a few drops of garlic (or tea tree) oil and add all the ingredients to warm water. After that, use as a relieving and cleansing douche.
The above are to help you prevent or relieve your cadida albicans infection, but to totally rid your vaginitis you need to discover a proven method for eliminating your female yeast infection by reading medical researcher, Leigh Hunters report by
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March 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
[...] highlighted in the post Yeast Vaginitis, it is possible for men to get a yeast infection in the same way as women, although it is far less [...]
March 11th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
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