Yeast Infections in Women
Because their hormones constantly fluctuate, females are more susceptible to yeast infections than are males.
There are fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during the monthly cycle.Hormone levels change dramatically at puberty, during pregnancy and at menopause. Oral contraceptives and hormone therapy also create high levels of estrogen and/or progesterone.
This is a main reason why women tend to get yeast infections when they’re pregnant, and also close to their menstruation.
It’s quite common for women to get yeast infections.At some time in their lives 75% of women develop a vaginal yeast infection. Not only do fluctuating hormonal levels encourage the growth of yeast, but so do stress and being run down, times of low immunity.
The symptoms of a female yeast infection can be:
A fishy or yeasty odor
Itching
Discharge
Pain during sex
Pain or burning when urinating
When stressed, women should take particular care of themselves.Because the female body fluctuates hormonally, women need to learn how to relax and should eat well to avoid female yeast infections.
You may think you need products like douches and deodorant sprays to keep your vagina healthy. But you need to think again.
These days most doctors say that douching can do more harm than good.The balance of bacteria and organisms inside the vagina is upset by douching. Normally there are small amounts of yeast and friendly bacteria in the vagina. But if the good bacteria are washed out or killed by douching your yeast levels can grow rapidly. When this balance is out of whack, you may experience the symptoms of a yeast infection.
Hygiene products for women often have perfumes, fragrances and dyes. You can buy scented sprays, toilet paper, tampons and pads, soap, bubble bath, lotion, laundry detergent, and fabric softeners. But the same chemicals that colour or scent the products can also cause irritation in your vaginal area. You may get a yeast infection if your skin is inflamed already.
So avoid bubble baths and scented soaps, and choose unscented personal products.
Are you aware the vagina is self-cleaning?To a large degree you are protected from harmful bacteria by its natural discharges. Therefore it’s best to just leave your vagina alone.
Here are some more hygiene tips:
Wash the external part of your vagina with mild soap or even plain water. You don’t need to do anything else to keep yourself clean.
Make sure to dry yourself carefully after swimming, exercising or bathing.
On the toilet be careful that you wipe only from front to back.
Allow some fresh air to your vagina! Avoid tight pants. Wear underwear made of cotton as nylon traps dampness
Following these ideas will help prevent female yeast infections.If you follow the right program you can be completely clear of yeast and feel energized, clear-thinking and free of pain.