Chronic Vaginal Infections
>> Thursday, January 22, 2015
Why is it that, no matter what we do, yeast and bacterial infections (and vaginal odor) keep returning over and over?
Many of you have probably used over-the-counter medicines, homemade concoctions and prescription medications from a doctor, yet still battle with chronic, recurrent yeast/bacterial infections that cause vaginal odor and irritation.
The bottom line is this: If the conditions that make us vulnerable to these issue are not corrected, unhealthy organisms, odors, and infections can continue to show up. So what can we do to create a healthy vaginal environment?
Many studies now show that restoring healthy probiotic flora significantly protects against chronic infections. Probiotics are healthy, disease-fighting bacteria that live in our colon, mouth and vagina. And, studies show that taking probiotics daily can help prevent recurrent, chronic infections. Once established, friendly bacteria (especially of the Lactobacillus genus) produce natural disinfectants that help maintain an optimal pH and a healthy balance of beneficial microorganisms in the vagina by excluding harmful bacteria and other pathogens.
For example, certain specific strains of Lactobacilli produce substances such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins, which inhibit the growth of bacteria implicated in bacterial vaginosis. Furthermore, these friendly acid-making bacteria may inhibit the adherence of harmful bacteria responsible for bacterial vaginosis.
Numerous factors may upset the delicate balance of friendly microflora. These include antibiotic therapy, dietary changes, cigarette smoking, sexual activity, and oscillating stress levels.
According to one report, there are more than 300 million cases of urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast vaginitis worldwide every year. Yeast infections alone affect 75% of American women and 40-50% of these women will endure recurrent, chronic infections. So you are not alone.
Standard treatment for the common Candida yeast calls for antifungal therapy, either with an oral agent, such as fluconazole or vaginal creams and suppositories, which may require multiple applications. Bacterial vaginosis is commonly treated with an antibiotic, such as metronidazole or clindamycin.
Given the high prevalence of these infections, and the high rate of recurrence, it is clear that most adult women could benefit from preventive care and hygiene. Lactobacillus, when consumed orally daily, is especially effective at establishing and maintaining healthy vaginal microflora.
This is great news, because with the use of WaterWorks and probiotics, you could find that the recurrence of infections and odor will become less and less.
Many of you have probably used over-the-counter medicines, homemade concoctions and prescription medications from a doctor, yet still battle with chronic, recurrent yeast/bacterial infections that cause vaginal odor and irritation.
The bottom line is this: If the conditions that make us vulnerable to these issue are not corrected, unhealthy organisms, odors, and infections can continue to show up. So what can we do to create a healthy vaginal environment?
Many studies now show that restoring healthy probiotic flora significantly protects against chronic infections. Probiotics are healthy, disease-fighting bacteria that live in our colon, mouth and vagina. And, studies show that taking probiotics daily can help prevent recurrent, chronic infections. Once established, friendly bacteria (especially of the Lactobacillus genus) produce natural disinfectants that help maintain an optimal pH and a healthy balance of beneficial microorganisms in the vagina by excluding harmful bacteria and other pathogens.
For example, certain specific strains of Lactobacilli produce substances such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins, which inhibit the growth of bacteria implicated in bacterial vaginosis. Furthermore, these friendly acid-making bacteria may inhibit the adherence of harmful bacteria responsible for bacterial vaginosis.
Numerous factors may upset the delicate balance of friendly microflora. These include antibiotic therapy, dietary changes, cigarette smoking, sexual activity, and oscillating stress levels.
According to one report, there are more than 300 million cases of urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast vaginitis worldwide every year. Yeast infections alone affect 75% of American women and 40-50% of these women will endure recurrent, chronic infections. So you are not alone.
Standard treatment for the common Candida yeast calls for antifungal therapy, either with an oral agent, such as fluconazole or vaginal creams and suppositories, which may require multiple applications. Bacterial vaginosis is commonly treated with an antibiotic, such as metronidazole or clindamycin.
Given the high prevalence of these infections, and the high rate of recurrence, it is clear that most adult women could benefit from preventive care and hygiene. Lactobacillus, when consumed orally daily, is especially effective at establishing and maintaining healthy vaginal microflora.
This is great news, because with the use of WaterWorks and probiotics, you could find that the recurrence of infections and odor will become less and less.
