Hi empower,
Thank you for your question and for joining EmpowHER. In regard to Vaginal infections, according to the EmpowHER encyclopedia page:
"There are three main causes of vaginal infections: the fungus (yeast) Candida albicans , the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis , and the bacterial organism Gardnerella vaginalis .
Factors that can contribute to vaginal infections include antibiotics (which kill friendly bacteria, allowing yeast to grow), corticosteroids and HIV (which suppress the immune system), oral contraceptives and pregnancy (which alter the vaginal environment by changing hormone levels), and diabetes (increased sugar levels provide a friendly environment for yeast)."
Some women are more prone to vaginal infections than others. In addition to medication prescribed by your doctor to clear the infection, you may want to try taking a probiotic orally to help boost your immune system, and cultivate more friendly bacteria in your system. Evidence that taking probiotic actually helps is incomplete and inconclusive, but you can try and see if it works for you.
There are other "home remedy"-type alternate treatments to help ward off vaginal infection, but it's always best to work with your doctor to find a treatment that is right for you. Additionally, your doctor may suggest abstaining from sexual interaction until the infection is completely cleared. Men can get similar infections in their reproductive system.
Here is the full reference page for your review: Vaginal Infection Information
Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.
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Hi empower,
Thank you for your question and for joining EmpowHER. In regard to Vaginal infections, according to the EmpowHER encyclopedia page:
"There are three main causes of vaginal infections: the fungus (yeast) Candida albicans , the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis , and the bacterial organism Gardnerella vaginalis .
Factors that can contribute to vaginal infections include antibiotics (which kill friendly bacteria, allowing yeast to grow), corticosteroids and HIV (which suppress the immune system), oral contraceptives and pregnancy (which alter the vaginal environment by changing hormone levels), and diabetes (increased sugar levels provide a friendly environment for yeast)."
Some women are more prone to vaginal infections than others. In addition to medication prescribed by your doctor to clear the infection, you may want to try taking a probiotic orally to help boost your immune system, and cultivate more friendly bacteria in your system. Evidence that taking probiotic actually helps is incomplete and inconclusive, but you can try and see if it works for you.
There are other "home remedy"-type alternate treatments to help ward off vaginal infection, but it's always best to work with your doctor to find a treatment that is right for you. Additionally, your doctor may suggest abstaining from sexual interaction until the infection is completely cleared. Men can get similar infections in their reproductive system.
Here is the full reference page for your review: Vaginal Infection Information
May 11, 2011 - 11:37amGood luck, and let us know how you're doing.
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