Isn’t it just sod’s law that you first become aware of sexual health issues when you’re out and about? It’s often when you’re in a meeting or out running errands that you suddenly experience an uncontrollable itch…down there…and you know exactly what your wellness has been affected by: a dreaded yeast infection. Gynaecologist Rebecca Booth, MD, co-founder of the VENeffect skincare line, explains, ‘Wherever there is sugar or carbohydrates (which the body has), the yeast will feed on that. We don’t ever entirely rid our bodies of yeast. What we do is we keep it in check.’ There are well-known causes of yeast infections; antibiotics, douches, weak immune systems or tight clothes made from barely breathable fabrics. However, some other, hidden causes may also be preventing you from keeping yeast in check:
1. Low oestrogen: Oestrogen feeds acidophilus, keeping yeast at bay, but right before your period, your levels of oestrogen levels dip and this enables yeast to grow. Booth notes, ‘A lot of women will say that they get symptoms right around their period that later go away.’ If this sounds all-too familiar, Booth suggests doubling up on probiotic supplements in the week before your period, as well as avoiding sugar or extra carbs and eating more yoghurt. Booth comments, ‘I think prevention is best, rather than treatment. We need to think of keeping ourselves in balance so we’re not symptomatic.’
2. Too much sugar: Booth’s mantra goes, ‘Wherever there’s sugar, there’s yeast.’ This means that your obvious offenders, such as sugary snacks, invite yeast into the picture, but you also need to be wary of consuming lots fruit, juice or high-carb foods. These seemingly healthy foods can also cause your blood sugar to spike, especially in the morning when your blood sugar is low. Booth warns, ‘The kind of morning diet that causes a jump in blood sugar can stimulate the yeast to take over.’ This is especially true if you have coffee alongside your sugary breakfast: ‘When you combine caffeine with sugar, the yeast basically has a party and takes over.’ So, what should you eat instead? Booth recommends, ‘Anything to stabilise blood sugar so as not to feed the yeast.’
3. Pantyliners: According to Booth, ‘Pantyliners cause a low-grade irritation that can decrease the skin’s immunity. When our defences go down, we get more symptomatic.’ The same goes for scented or synthetic tampons, especially if your tissue is ultra-sensitive. Moreover, the synthetic fibres in pantyliners block airflow, and yeast loves environments with little air. Therefore, you’re much better off wearing cotton underwear with no liners, and using an unscented, cotton tampon if you tend to get frequent infections.
4. Vaginal eczema: Eczema is characterised by scaly, itchy rashes that tend to crop up on your arms or legs, but did you know that it can also show up on your vulva and vaginal tissues? When this happens, Booth details that it ‘causes chronic inflammation and irritation, so some people can develop yeast infections.’ If you find that this is the case, Booth advises that you speak with your gynaecologist about treating the vaginal eczema. Once the eczema is treated, the yeast issue should clear up as a result.
5. Spermicidal condoms: Nonoxynol-9 is the active ingredient you’ll find in most spermicides, and it’s not the gentlest substance. Booth explains, ‘If the spermicide is irritating for the woman, then that will disturb her vaginal immunity and allow [yeast] to take advantage.’ This is also true of spermicide creams, jellies, foams, gels, films and suppositories, as well as diaphragms, which are usually paired with spermicidal creams, jelly or gels that can cause irritation. Again, talk to your gynaecologist about alternatives, such as Durex condoms.
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