– a step by step guide from prevention to natural treatments.
The facts are that 8% of women suffer from thrush as often as four times a year, 30% suffer from recurring cystitis and BV affects 1 in 3 women with a high rate of recurrence. Are you one of these women?
There are well known medications women can take to alleviate the symptoms of these conditions including ointments and pessaries as well as antibiotics. However, natural solutions are less well known.
Why do we get these conditions?
Thrush is usually caused by the yeast candida albicans which lives harmlessly on the skin, and in the mouth, gut and vagina. If however this yeast becomes overgrown it can result in thrush. The causes of BV are similar stemming from a change in the balance of bacteria in the vagina as well as a more alkaline pH. Cystitis is caused by bacterial infection. All these conditions are also common in menopausal women due to oestrogen levels dropping and indeed in some menstruating women due to oestrogen fluctuations.
What can we do to naturally prevent or ease these conditions?
So what can women do about looking after our intimate health more naturally?? Is it possible to even prevent these conditions? It’s certainly possible to minimise our chances of suffering from them. In a nutshell, it’s about bacteria!
Certain probiotic strains have been trialled and have been shown to increase the efficacy of standard treatments, as well as lowering the risk of recurrence. In particular 2 specific probiotic strains, L. Reuteri RC-14® and L. Rhamnosus GR-1® are well documented in women’s health, with over 30 years of scientific evidence.
OptiBac Probiotics ‘For women’ is a unique product that contains these specific strains and has had significant trialling in itself. In one trial, participants with thrush took an antifungal capsule with either ‘For women’ daily or placebo for 4 weeks. At follow-up those who had been taking ‘For women’ had 70% fewer symptoms and yeast cell counts than the placebo group.1
In another trial, 252 women who suffered with recurring UTIs took ‘For women’ or antibiotics (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) for one year. After 12 months the number of UTIs had more than halved in both groups, with ‘For women’ being almost as effective as antibiotics. (An impressive result for a natural remedy)2
So how do these probiotic strains help? They colonises the vagina, crowd out candida by competing for space and nutrients, fortify women’s natural defences against candida, restores a healthy pH of <4.5, inhibits E. Coli, produces bactericocins which kill pathogens and E. Coli, and produces a substance which breaks down a defensive biofilm produced by the pathogens.
Taking these strains of bacteria is clearly an impressive start to improving symptoms as well as preventing recurrence. And the beauty of it is that this probiotic can be taken alongside conventional medicines and even increases their beneficial effect.
Are there any other natural remedies which can also help?
- It’s always a good idea to stay away from sugar and yeast containing foods and drinks which can feed the growth of yeast and bad bacteria. This of course includes alcohol and fruit juices except Cranberry which can help in the case of cystitis. Make sure you chose a sugar free juice or ask your pharmacy for a capsule format.
- Reduce your coffee intake and drink plenty of water
- Ideally if you have thrush, try to include antifungal foods in your diet such as garlic, coconut oil, ginger and cinnamon among others but take these away from your probiotic if taking in really big quantities
- We are so used to using highly perfumed soap products but these are actually really damaging for the bacteria balance and pH of our intimate area. Go for unperfumed or natural products where possible, avoid douches, swap nylon for cotton and avoid perfumed sanitary products
- Sadly one of the side effects of sex can be cystitis. Urinating before and after sex can help with this.
- The pill can sometimes upset intimate flora as it affects our hormone levels – talk to your doctor about alternative contraception
As mentioned OptiBac Probiotics ‘For Women’ can be taken alongside standard treatments to increase the effect of standard treatments, but is also recommended as a continual method of prevention if a recurrent issue. Talk to your pharmacist for further guidance on this. So, if you’re looking to support your intimate health, consider your intimate flora.
- Martinez, et al. (2009) Improved treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with fluconazole plus probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. Lett Appl Microbiol. 48, 3. 269-74
- Beerepoot, et al. (2012) Lactobacilli vs antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infections: a randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial in postmenopausal women. Arch Intern Med. 172, 9.704-12.
About the blogger: Joanna Lutyens
Joanna Lutyens is a nutritional therapist, writer, mother and wannabe yoga guru. Her way of working is based on a belief that life is all about balance and should be enjoyed. That good nutrition and supplements are important for your health and vitality, but so is wrapping up and getting some winter sunshine or spending time with family and friends. Joanna helps people feel empowered and motivated to make positive changes in their diet and lifestyle to achieve their personal optimal health. She is also passionate about integrative medicine and believes that professionals working together to achieve the best health for their patients is key. Joanna works as a content writer at OptiBac Probiotics where she also gives customers the benefits of her broad knowledge and experience. BA(Hons) DipION FdSc mBANT CNHC
