Health & Well-Being Pre-Menopause and Beyond

Ok, first of all, I have a problem with the marketing ploys of a number of companies, the latest round just happens to be the Probiotic craze. The Excedrin Migraine plug was the last dose of marketing B.S. that got under my skin (in case you don’t already know, it is no different than regular Excedrin).

Plain old “regular” yogurt has long been touted as a cure for yeast infections. Some swear by the tampon method – plain active-culture yogurt inserted with a tampon overnight. Others say all you need to do is eat one 8 oz. cup of yogurt (containing l. acidophilus, an ingredient in “regular” yogurt) a day to prevent yeast infections. While it may work for some people on occasion, neither way is a sure-fire cure, nor prevention.

So what is the difference between “regular” yogurt and “Probiotic” yogurt? It is basically just a matter of the types of bacteria contained in each. Lactobacillus is one of the primary bacteria used to make regular yogurt. Probiotic yogurt will contain several different strains of bacteria in addition to the regular bacteria.

Being a regular consumer of “light” (reduced calorie) yogurt, I recently purchased one “regular” and one “Probiotic” light yogurt (each vanilla flavored). Reading the ingredients of the “regular” container, it listed, “with live active cultures including L. Acidophilus” – guess we are left to wonder what the other “live active cultures” were. The ingredients of the “Probiotic” container listed, “Live active yogurt cultures: L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, Bifidobacterium, L. Acidophilus and L. Casei cultures.”

A little reading on the subject revealed that there are so many strains of bacteria, each with different probiotic functions, that it would be impossible for the average person to know what effects they would have based on their individual factors.

The latest claim behind probiotic yogurt is that it helps to regulate the digestive system – helps you to become more regular. Dannon’s Activia, Activia Light and Dan Active Probiotic yogurts are some of the more well-known examples of this latest advertising trend. Interestingly enough, they have recently become the subject of a class-action suit because they supposedly claimed that their Probiotic yogurts were healthier than regular yogurt and charged more for them.

All of this does not mean that yogurt is not good for your health. Active-culture yogurt has many health benefits, however (to date) there has been no definitive proof that it does anything to successfully combat vaginal yeast infections whether it is “Probiotic” or “Regular” yogurt.

Let’s get this out of the way first: Even though there are numerous natural home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for yeast infections, treatment without the proper diagnosis is dangerous (and a waste of time and money).  So see a doctor first, especially if you answer yes to any of the following:

·         This is your first supposed yeast infection (“supposed” because if you’ve never had them, then you cannot know for sure if that is your condition)

·         If you are pregnant

·         You have already tried unsuccessfully to remedy the situation (you’re wasting time and money!)

·         You have had other forms of vaginal or urinary infections.

·         You have changed sexual partners recently, or have multiple sex partners (you need to eliminate the possibility of having contracted any sexually transmitted diseases)

·         You have abdominal pains, chills, difficulty urinating, fever, nausea, pain or vomiting, in which case you may have a medical emergency and should not be reading this, but seeking immediate medical help.

Yeast infections are very common, in fact most women encounter at least one form of yeast infection during their life, with the majority of cases occurring during their reproductive years. Yeast infections are triggered by an imbalance in the natural bacteria found in the vagina, often as a result of hormonal fluctuations during a woman’s cycle, during stressful times, while taking birth control pills, or during perimenopause. Yes, yeast infections are one of the many menopause symptoms and treatments we often end up researching in an effort to bring quick relief to yet an another annoying condition that affects countless numbers of women.

Some women may have these yeast infections on a recurring basis, and although they may not be severe, they are just a nuisance to be dealt with. Many of these women have found natural ways to remedy flare-ups and to naturally prevent yeast infections from returning.

Natural remedies for yeast infections include the following (listed without detail), some of which will be detailed in future posts:

·         Probiotic supplements, topical tea tree oil, garlic, oil of oregano, grapefruit seed extract, apple cider vinegar, cranberry juice, goldenseal, lactoferrin and yogurt (taken orally and topically).

·         Boric acid in the form of vaginal capsules, or in a sitz bath.

·         Abstaining from sex during treatment will prevent passing the infection back and forth.

Here are some natural ways to help prevent yeast infections:

·         Dietary changes like reducing (or eliminating all-together) the intake of refined sugar, avoiding foods high in yeast, and eating foods containing probiotics (like yogurt).

·         Wearing underwear made from natural fibers (like 100% cotton panties) and avoiding pantyhose.  If you must wear pantyhose, then buy those with the cotton crotch and remember that you do not have to wear panties with them (overkill + less ventilation).

·         No tight-fitting clothes (spandex is a particular no-no).

·         Boost your immunity by reducing stress, getting enough sleep at night and enough exercise during the day.

·         Drink plenty of water every day – a simple way to ‘flush’ your system.

·         Use natural, unscented cleansers and personal products. The chemicals used to provide the scent can be an irritant (especially for pads and tampons).

         ·         No feminine deodorants or douches.

(As stated in other areas of this site, the information provided here is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be prescriptive, nor as a substitute for health care by a medical doctor. Persons wishing to follow any advice should do so strictly of their own accord. This site assumes no liability for the actions of its readers, as the contents herein do not prescribe the use of any form of treatment, nor does it dispense medical advice as a form of treatment for medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. )