Recently, there has been a new trend of taking ORS for Sahur. People are now of the habit of drinking the oral rehydration salts mixture during or immediately after the pre-dawn meal in Ramadan. This habit is more prevalent in Kano State, even though other states have...
Many ladies experiencing dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) have asked this question over and over again, "Should I take pain relievers for cramps?” Some have received “Yes" but have been battling with the question "What then should I take? Some have received “No"...
Kayan Mata translates as "women's property." This category, Kayan Mata Hausa encompasses all of the products used by women. However, aphrodisiacs are more commonly referred to by this term. Aphrodisiacs are substances that arouse or are thought to arouse sexual...
Sleep is one of the best gifts given to man by the Creator. Imagine how life would be if there was no night at all, and one has to work for a good part of the 24 hours. Scary, right? Well, apart from getting an opportunity to rest, sleep also has several other...
Have you heard of Vaginal Yeast infections?
I ran into an old secondary school classmate at the university clinic where I interned. She came in with a medical report for a test to be carried out. Upon carrying out the test and dispatching the results, she came to me and said, “this is what was written. Am I sick?”
Because of the rule given to us at the lab, we were never to discuss a patient’s test result with the person. I kept quiet, but my guilty conscience wouldn’t let me; I took her somewhere and explained everything to the best of my knowledge, which is why I’m compiling this article.
Oftentimes, ladies see discharge on their underwear before menstruation. This is known as leukorrhea and is filled with fluid and cells shed from the female vagina. It continues again after menstruation which is normal because it means the body prepares for the next menstrual cycle.
But as time go on, and the discharge continues, the lady feels severe pain around the lower region of the abdomen and even itching. Some take it for granted, while others seek medical attention.
The continuous discharge and pain in the lower abdomen region result from the accumulation of fungi in the vagina leading to an infection called candidiasis.
Let me explain;
Every body part contains microorganisms, so the vagina is not excluded. The vagina normally contains a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast. Lactobacilli is one of the bacteria that live in the vagina. These particular bacteria have to keep the vagina safe and kill harmful microorganisms while maintaining the balance of the vagina.
Read: This Woman Has a Rare Medical Condition, She Doesn’t Have a Hole!
When there’s an imbalance in the vagina, i.e, the level of Lactobacilli is low in the vagina, it allows the fungi to grow, leading to an infection known as Candidiasis or Vaginal Yeast infections.
When an antibiotic is taken to treat a UTI infection, it kills the Lactobacilli, which keeps the yeast in check since antibiotics have no effects on yeast.
”Douche” is a French word for ”wash” or ”soak.” It is a method to wash out the vagina, usually with a mixture of water and vinegar. They come in bottles or bags containing antiseptic and fragrances and are sprayed through a tube upward into the vagina.
This practice upsets the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and makes the environment more favorable for the growth of yeast causing infection.
When you have diabetes, it means there is too much sugar in your urine, and this surplus of sugar impacts the vagina.
Moisture supports yeast’s growth because yeast likes warm and moist places. So if you sweat around your vagina or don’t clean your wet pubic hair after a bath or swim, you tend to get yeast infections.
Your medications can suppress your immune system if you have a disease like HIV or AIDS.
As a lady, you may tend to experience a lot of symptoms when this happens, and they include:
1. A continuous discharge that is thick, white, and odorless with the consistency of cottage cheese.
2. Pains during urination
3. Pains during sexual intercourse
4. Pains around the lower abdominal region.
5. Vaginal itching.
6. Swelling around the vagina and Vulva area
7. Redness and rash.
When you begin to experience such symptoms, it is advised that you visit the hospital immediately for proper treatment. Tests will be carried out, and proper medications will be given to you also.
1. Wipe from front to back after going to the toilets.
2. After bathing, dry yourself thoroughly, especially the pubic hair. This is because fungi love to grow on moist surfaces.
3. Avoid using soap around the vagina. It’s unhealthy and has no effects on the yeasts.
4. If you’ve had any fungal infection, throw away the underwear. Because fungal infection can reoccur.
5. Scented tampons and vaginal douches should be avoided at all causes. They contain chemicals and may cause infections.
6. Avoid pantyhose or tight pants. They absorb heat into the body, and instead of the vagina being dried, it tends to be wet, supporting the growth of fungi.
7. Cut down on sugar and alcohol intake. They are the favorite food of yeast. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible is important. Controlling your diabetes can help prevent vaginal yeast infections.
8. Wear loose cotton underwear for air to pass through. The vagina needs to be ventilated at all times.
9. Avoid douching. It kills the bacteria more. More people involve in douching because they want to clear a bad odor after menstruation or keep it free. The vaginal has an odorless odor which is normal but when it gets uncomfortable, using warm water to wash it helps to reduce it.
I hope I was able to educate you about Vaginal Yeast infections, its signs and symptoms, and hygiene and prevention tips to help you take proper care of yourself. If you begin to see any of the symptoms mentioned above, you need to quickly contact a doctor and take a test to be sure you’re not infected.
Did you find this blog post helpful? Will you share this blog post with your friends? Have you heard about Candidiasis before?
Let me know in the comments.
The rambles of traditional medicine sellers through loudspeakers is the hallmark of northern Nigerian markets. We buy a myriad of regimens to strengthen our physical health, but the noun ‘mental health’ sounds unfamiliar to our intellects, even though many people...
Ulcer medically means a wound that does not heal and becomes ulcerated. It is a sore that forms in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine and it is researched to be majorly caused by helicobacter pylori (H. pylori); a bacteria that attacks...
Knowing your body posture and how to increase body posture in general is very essential for the human body. Posture is the position in which you hold your body while standing, sitting or lying down. A good body posture involves training your body to stand walk, sit...
Emotional Abuse, unlike physical abuse, can be complicated to identify. While physical abuse often comes with obvious signs, emotional abuse isn't that obvious especially when you are the victim as you must be in some kind of relationship with the abuser. Emotional...
There is a current craze about having a slim figure. This is especially common among female folks. As a result, it has led many to the use slimming teas. The effectiveness of the slimming tea is the center of most adverts. But wait, is slimming tea really effective?...
Ever heard of the old adage "You are what you eat?" Well, it has never been truer! As time goes by, exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause premature aging of the skin and a sign of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, sunburns, skin cancer, and the list goes...
Managing your work, family, and personal life, trying to find balance in the daily hassles you encounter can become overwhelming to your body and mind. In response, your body develops certain symptoms, these physical symptoms are collectively identified as signs of...
You have probably taken several measures to avoid bad breath, including regular brushing, flossing, rinsing with a mouthwash, and many others, but it all does not seem to be working. The culprit could be right under your nose – the food you eat! Here, we are going to...
Ramadan, the best month of the year is just a few days away and perhaps you are already thinking about how to do away with the unpleasant mouth odour that usually accompanies the fast. Well, you're in the right place, as this article seeks to tell you how to prevent...
Apart from the aesthetic value of hair, it has other important functions as well. This includes protection of the skin from direct harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, and together with the skin, serves the function of sensitivity, temperature regulation as well as...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Over time, I have come to realize that you don’t necessarily have to register at a gym or join a weight loss community to lose weight. You can achieve your goal in the comfort of...
When it comes to how to lose body fat quickly, there are so many steps on the internet, some would tell you to go on a high protein diet, some would tell you to work out...
Dear September… this is a month dedicated to raising awareness of sickle cell disease, celebrating the achievements of survivors living with sickle cell and it entails things to...
Constipation is defined as when stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract. It also occurs when stool cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum, which causes the...
Eyes are the window to the soul. Without our vision, almost everything comes to a halt. Without the eyes, you won’t be able to read this today. Good eye health starts with the...
Weight loss has been on the trend nowadays. People wanting to get rid of body fats, belly fats, and so on to be fashionable, or to just lose weight because of people body shaming...
Amalala Mai pitsarin kwan ceYa tsula ya koma tsulawaDa ya tsula sai da ya kai Sokoto The above is a very popular song used to shame those who bed wet as kids. They are asked to...
Breast cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the mammary gland. Mostly affects the inner lining of the milk duct and the lobules that supply them with milk. However, the signs...
The increasing rate of diabetes is alarming, resulting in about 1.6million death yearly, with its major percentage amongst developing countries, Nigeria included. Both young and...
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our Editorial Team.
0 Comments