Let’s Talk About Vaginal Infections: What Really Works (And What Doesn’t)
A blind guy walks past a fish monger. “Nice day, Ladies,” he says.?
Sorry, I had no choice. I had to do it. How many smelly vagina jokes did you hear in high school? Women have been led to believe two things that are not at all true or fair. One is that your vagina is supposed to smell like pineapples. It’s not. And the other is that vaginal infections should cause shame and embarrassment. They shouldn’t.
That said, no one wants to be compared to a tuna salad, which is, to be perfectly honest, the smell used to describe certain infections such as bacterial vaginosis. We’re taught in medical school that it causes a “fishy odor” particularly after intercourse. Nobody wants that! So let’s talk about vaginosis in general and what you can do about it.?
“Just eat more yogurt”?
“Have you considered cotton underwear?”
Is sitting in a bucket of Yoplait or Fruit of the Looms really the answer? No, it’s a little more complicated than that. If we’re going to have a real conversation about preventing vaginal infections, it’s time to move beyond the clichés and dive into the actual causes and effective solutions.
The Truth About Vaginal Infections
Vaginal infections are common, with up to 75% of American women experiencing a yeast infection at some point in their lives. Ugh. That’s an awful statistic.?
However, there's a lot of confusion about what actually causes these infections and how best to prevent them. It's easy to assume that infections stem from a simple lack of hygiene, but the causes are far more complex.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s reall
Bacterial Imbalance
Your vagina is home to a complex mix of bacteria. The “good” bacteria—primarily Lactobacillus—keep harmful bacteria in check.
However, when this balance is disrupted, harmful bacteria thrive and can cause yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV). The vaginal microbiome is all the rage right now but let me tell you, no one really knows what constitutes a healthy microbiome or how we go about switching ours up. There are many products that claim to introduce “healthy” bacteria into the vagina but they are as of yet unproven. Buyer Beware. There is lots of work yet to be done, so watch this space. What you need to know is that there are millions of bacteria living in there and who runs the show at any given time depends on a number of factors.?
Stress, antibiotics, changes in diet, and hormonal fluctuations (like during pregnancy or menopause) can all upset this balance, making women more susceptible to infections.
Moisture and Heat
The idea that skin-tight clothing or synthetic fabrics cause infections is an oversimplification at best and a half-truth at worst.
The real issue is excess moisture and heat. Wearing sweaty clothes after a workout or staying in a wet swimsuit creates the ideal conditions for yeast to thrive. In pediatrics, only babies in diapers get candidal (yeast) diaper rash. I used to tell parents that yeast likes “warm, dark, wet.”?
It’s not necessarily about the tightness of your clothing—it’s about moisture being trapped against your skin.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations—particularly those during pregnancy, menopause, or while using birth control—can also alter the vaginal environment.
Normally, estrogen promotes an acidic environment in the vagina that prevents overgrowth of harmful bacteria and yeast. When levels decrease, however, the vagina becomes more alkaline and thus prone to infection.
Sexual Activity
Sexual activity can also introduce bacteria into the vaginal area via penile, toy, or finger insertion. What’s more, yeast infections can develop after oral sex from an infected individual.
Trichomoniasis—perhaps the most common non-viral STI worldwide—is another source of infection. While 70% of individuals are asymptomatic, trichomoniasis does cause painful urination, vaginal inflammation, and discharge with an unpleasant odour.
What Actually Works to Prevent Vaginal Infections?
Now that we’ve looked at the causes, let’s focus on the real solutions to keeping things balanced and infection-free.
Eat a Balanced Diet
The most well-rounded and holistic approach to vaginal infection prevention involves adequate hydration and a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
This may sound like a platitude, but the critical importance of diet should not be discounted. Deficiencies in vitamins A, C, D, and E have been linked to bacterial vaginosis, which itself increases the risk of pelvic inflammatory disorder, yeast infections, and trichomoniasis.
Probiotics
Now let’s address the burning question: does yogurt prevent vaginal infections?
The answer is probably not—at least not on its own. There is so much not known about our microbiomes and with bacteria, it’s a case of right place, right bug. So even if a yogurt claims to be full of happy probiotics, there’s no guarantee that 1) the bugs are there or 2) that they are the right ones for your vagina.?
That said, a healthy gut microbiome is part of our overall health and is good for us. Some people like probiotic supplements, including yogurt, as part of a healthy, varied diet.?
Check the labels and if in doubt, consult your doctor before starting any supplement. One last thing: I can’t find any evidence that “Lemme Purr” is the answer. Please do not get me started on the misogyny of this.?
Good Hygiene Without Overdoing It
When it comes to hygiene, it can sometimes be a case of less is more.
Overwashing or using scented soaps can throw off the delicate pH balance of your vagina, increasing the likelihood of irritation or infection.
Stick to gentle, unscented soap for cleaning the outside of your vagina (the vulva) and avoid douching. No one needs Summer’s Eve. No one.?
Wear Breathable Clothing
Breathable fabrics like cotton help prevent excess moisture and heat, which can promote yeast growth. Other natural products such as bamboo and hemp may also have antimicrobial or antifungal properties.
In any case, choose loose-fitting clothes and change out of sweaty clothes as soon as possible. While tight clothing isn’t the sole cause of infections, moisture trapped in non-breathable fabrics can certainly contribute.
Here, clean and dry should always be the name of the game.
Practice Safe Sex
Condoms and dental dams may prevent the spread of bacteria and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
After sex, it’s once again pertinent to practice good hygiene. Change out of sweaty clothes and take a shower, if necessary. But my God, if you got that worked up, you go girl!
Ending the Taboo Around Vaginal Health
Vaginal infections are not a subject likely to be broached at most dinner parties. But the subject needs to be discussed, nonetheless.
Most infections are caused when the finely tuned environment inside the vagina is disrupted, and if women do seek out help, the advice they receive is incomplete, outdated, or just downright ignorant.
Understanding your body’s natural balance and making informed lifestyle choices is the key to maintaining vaginal health. Likewise for good hygiene in all its various aspects.
Next time someone tells you to eat more yoghurt, politely smile and nod your head. Then, incorporate that advice into a more holistic and well-rounded approach to your vaginal health.
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