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Vaginal Yeast Infections
They're itchy and uncomfortable, and no one really likes to talk about them. But vaginal yeast infections are very common in women. It's estimated that 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime.
Though yeast infections can happen to anyone at any time, there are certain things that make getting them more likely. Most infections can be cleared up quickly and easily.
The vagina normally contains a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast. The hormone estrogen helps bacteria called lactobacilli to grow. These bacteria kill harmful organisms in the vagina and keep you healthy. But when something happens to tip that balance, a fungus called candida can grow out of control and cause a yeast infection.
Itchiness and discomfort are the main symptoms of a yeast infection, but there are others. You may also experience any or all of the following:
If you think you have a yeast infection, see your doctor before treating yourself. The symptoms of yeast infections are similar to other, more serious conditions, including sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis (bacterial overgrowth in the vagina). An accurate diagnosis is important so you can get the best treatment.
There are many reasons you could get a yeast infection, including:
Over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments or suppositories (with clotrimazole or miconazole) are the most common ways to treat yeast infections. These can take from 1 to 7 days. Your doctor may also choose to prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan) or ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme).
If you're pregnant, it's safe to use creams or suppositories but avoid oral medications.
It's important for you to know that some yeast infection medications weaken condoms or diaphragms. That makes it easier for you to get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease. Be sure to read instructions and warnings before using.
If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you may get yeast infections over and over again. It's a condition called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). If you get yeast infections at least four times a year, your doctor may recommend that you take a weekly fluconazole pill for 6 months to fight them. Oteseconazole (Vivjoa) has been approved for those with recurring problems with infections who will not be reproducing.
Some studies have shown that eating probiotic yogurt or taking Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements may slow the growth of yeast in the vagina, lowering the risk for infections. But more research is needed before a clear connection can be made.
What To Know Before Taking Boric Acid, TikTok's Latest Yeast Infection Remedy
Yeast infections come with a bunch of uncomfortable symptoms, including burning, itching and redness. Infections might be recurrent, which may need a form of treatment depending on the type and frequency.
Enter boric acid suppositories, which have gained a lot of attention recently on TikTok as a way to treat the condition.Boric acid has a variety of uses, including being a component in insect repellent, eye drops and baby powder. The chemical is even used in industrial processing, whether that's manufacturing glass, leather, cement or other materials.
However, boric acid can also be administered in suppositories in pharmaceutical products to fight infections. With antifungal and antiviral properties, boric acid has been used for decades to treat bacterial vaginosis, an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, or yeast infections, which affect an estimated 1.4 million people annually.
A suppository is used to deliver medicine into your system, whether that's rectally or vaginally. The medicine melts inside the body, which allows it to be absorbed quicker than taking something orally. But although suppositories can be a recommended way to treat infections, there are some factors to consider first. We asked OB-GYNs and toxicologists about long-term use, when you shouldn't use boric acid and when to see a doctor. Here are a few points to know:
1. Make sure you don't swallow the suppository.The instructions on the box of a suppository will say "Do not swallow," depending on the brand. A suppository used for vaginal health is supposed to enter the body vaginally and is not meant to be taken by mouth.
This may seem like common sense, particularly if there's a warning label, but swallowing boric acid suppositories is more common than you think. Recently, TikToker Ari Kytsya shared her experience with taking boric acid orally for four days before realizing it wasn't meant to be swallowed.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who did this," one user commented.
Swallowing boric acid can damage the esophagus and stomach, which may continue for several weeks after it is consumed. Holes in the esophagus and stomach can cause infections.
It can also cause other issues. The main symptoms of boric acid poisoning include blue-green vomit, diarrhea and rashes. Other symptoms may include blisters, fainting, coma, seizures, drowsiness, fever, headache, low blood pressure, restlessness, twitching, weakness and decreased urination. If you do swallow a boric acid suppository and have side effects, call a poison control center immediately.
Not only does swallowing a suppository potentially cause harm, but it also won't be effective in treating any infections, Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist at the National Capital Poison Center, told HuffPost.
"These suppositories are available in capsule formulation, which means that people may swallow them accidentally, thinking that they are meant for oral use or after mistaking them for another oral medication," Johnson-Arbor said. "When used in suppository form as directed, boric acid is not significantly absorbed through the bloodstream and into the body. Instead, the boric acid works directly in the vagina."
2. It won't treat all recurrent infections.Although boric acid can help treat bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, it's typically used alongside other medications, Dr. Susan S. Khalil at Mount Sinai in New York City, told HuffPost.
"Boric acid cannot treat all recurrent infections, such as bacterial vaginitis, or sometimes cannot treat an infection alone as the only remedy. Sometimes you have to take an antifungal or an antibiotic for it," said Khalil, who leads Mt. Sinai's division of sexual health in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science.
Symptoms of bacterial vaginitis include abnormal discharge, irritation, painful or difficulty urinating and genital pain. Other forms of antifungals and antibiotics for recurrent vaginal infections include metronidazole, a common antibiotic for bacterial vaginosis, bacterial vaginitis and yeast infections.
Additionally, you shouldn't be turning to boric acid again for recurrent infections.
"It's important for people to know that many of the studies on the use of boric acid for vaginal yeast infections involved short durations of treatment, one to two weeks," Johnson-Arbor said. "If yeast infection symptoms are not adequately controlled after a single course of boric acid suppositories, people should seek medical attention and not attempt to treat themselves with repeated courses of the product."
3. Don't take the suppositories if you're pregnant.The safety and effects of boric acid suppositories in pregnant women have not been extensively studied. As a result, pregnant people should avoid using boric acid.
"Boric acid vaginal suppositories are not approved by the [Food and Drug Administration], and there is no standardized dosing recommendation for these products because of this," Johnson-Arbor said. "It is possible that boric acid may have harmful effects on fetal development, but there is currently limited knowledge available on the safety and efficacy of boric acid suppository use during pregnancy."
A 2021 John Hopkins study on the safety of boric acid use in pregnant and non-pregnant people found reported defects in the neural tube that forms the brain and spine. Additionally, there were fetal skeletal abnormalities, decreased weight, and heart, lung and organ issues in pregnant animals.
"Until human and animal studies are done to evaluate the safety of boric acid suppository use during pregnancy, pregnant people should not use boric acid suppositories," Johnson-Arbor said.
4. Be aware of the expiration date.Generally, you shouldn't be using any forms of medicine past its expiration date.
"The antifungal activity of the boric acid might be less effective after the expiration date or the product may have an increased risk of microbial contamination after the expiration date, in which case the user might develop a new or recurrent vaginal infection," Johnson-Arbor said.
Not only are expired medications less effective or won't work, but they might also be risky to use due to a change in chemical composition. There also might be bacterial growth that can lead to more illnesses and increase antibiotic resistance.
Instead, throw out or properly dispose of any expired suppositories and use a new one for effectiveness.
5. See your doctor if infections continue or get worse.If boric acid suppositories are doing more harm than good, it might be time to look for different treatment options, including other medications.
"It is time to see an OB-GYN with recurrent infections, pelvic pain and increasing discharge," Khalil said. "Also, you should see a doctor if there is abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, chills or vulvar swelling, and if the patient has medical co-morbidities that may make certain vulvar or vaginal infections more difficult to treat."
I'm A Doctor – From Steaming To Jade Eggs, Here Are 8 Dangerous Vagina Fads You Must Avoid
CARING for your vagina isn't a complex task, but it seems as though every other day there's some wacky new care-for-down-there craze, which makes us question everything we thought we knew.
Ever steamed your va-jay-jay? Or spread some yoghurt up there?
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Every vagina is individual, but there are some things you should not near any of themCredit: Getty2
Kourtney Kardashian's vagina gummies have caused quite a stirCredit: LemmeWell, before you go thinking these things are a-ok, let us clear a few things up.
Dr Sarah Brewer, an independent medical nutritionist and brand ambassador, is here to set the record straight on some popular vagina trends…
1. Vagina steamingAn old-school remedy, vaginal steaming involves directing herbal infused steam up the vagina.
It's used for treating conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), however it's a no-go according to Dr Brewer: "Please don't do this.
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"I don't recommend this as there is no scientific evidence that it helps any condition and cases of second-degree burns have been cited in the medical literature that have resulted from this archaic practice."
2. The cucumber cleanseShoving a cucumber up your vagina in a bid to cleanse internally isn't advisable.
"It's total nonsense," says Dr Brewer. "It is more likely to introduce a bacterial or fungal infection than it is to do anything beneficial.
"It might also damage the delicate mucosal lining of the vagina and change the acid balance to result in a bacterial imbalance. Please don't do this."
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3. Putting yoghurt up the vagina"Live Bio yoghurt contains probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacilli, which can help prevent or treat vaginal bacterial imbalances and fungal infections," says Dr Brewer.
Although this is the least potentially harmful of the remedies mentioned here, it is messy, and if you are going to do it, it's important to use plain yoghurt.
Avoid yoghurt loaded with sugar and fruit pulp.
"Ideally, use a probiotic product designed for use in the vagina – a pharmacy can provide advice," says Dr Brewer.
"If you have symptoms, visit a sexual health clinic for a proper diagnosis and treatment."
4. Kourtney Kardashian's vagina gummiesKourtney Kardashian really got people talking with the release of her vagina gummies; a probiotic targeting vaginal health and pH levels.
Dr Brewer explains that the vagina normally has a healthy population of lactic-acid producing bacteria that help maintain an optimum level of acidity.
"If this acidity is lost, then a bacterial imbalance can occur known as BV.
"This occurs when levels of healthy bacteria, (especially Lactobacillus acidophilus) are reduced, or absent, and bacteria usually found in small numbers, if at all, are increased."
Dr Brewer says Kourtney's gummies contain a probiotic known as SNZ 1969 (Lactobacillus sporogenes, also known as Bacillus coagulans).
"This has been shown in research to reduce BV when used together with an antibiotic called metronidazole.
"And, in women with vaginitis (vaginal inflammation) it helped to reduce symptoms.
"However, if you don't have symptoms you don't need to use this product as the vagina is an efficient self-cleansing organ.
"If you do have symptoms, you should be getting checked at a sexual health clinic to get a proper diagnosis and treatment."
5. Jade vaginal eggsMade exclusively for Gwyneth Paltrow's wellbeing site, Goop, these Yoni eggs supposedly "harness the power of energy work, crystal healing, and a kegel-like physical practice".
To use, they are inserted into the vagina. Goop says the aim is to feel the connection with your body by 'squeezing and releasing the egg'.
Dr Brewer's verdict? "Devices are available to help strengthen vaginal muscles which may bring benefits to your sex life, and improve urinary leakage.
"If you have pure stress incontinence, your doctor will usually refer you for a program of supervised pelvic floor muscle training exercises (PFMT) overseen by a continence adviser, nurse specialist or physiotherapist.
"Often known as kegel exercises, these exercises are designed to strengthen the pubococcygeus muscles supporting the bladder, vagina and rectum."
She adds that there is research to show that performing at least eight contractions, three times a day, for at least three months, is effective.
6. CBD-infused vaginal tampons"In the US there is a new craze for using cannabis oil infused tampons (which melt like a suppository).
"I've even been asked about adding CBD oil to a normal tampon during a period," says Dr Brewer.
"I do NOT recommend this as it could alter vaginal pH and bacterial balance.
"Tampons should never be used outside of a period except under medical instruction as this may increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome."
7. Baby oil for vaginal drynessAccording to Dr Brewer, some women with vaginal dryness use baby oil or petroleum jelly to help treat symptoms as they are too embarrassed to see their doctor.
"Normally, healthy cells within the vagina and cervix secrete a small amount of natural moisture.
"When this is disrupted by hormone imbalances, medication, infection or illness, moisture levels will fall."
This can cause vaginal dryness, which can lead to pain during sex and urinary symptoms.
"Depending on the underlying cause, your doctor may prescribe a local hormone cream or pessary, or HRT patches or tablets.
"Some non-hormonal vaginal moisturisers are also available on prescription if oestrogen is not needed and can be used as often as required," adds Dr Brewer.
She recommends selecting a gel that has a pH-balanced formulation, contains hyaluronate (which is highly hydrating) and also includes Lactobacillus bacteria to replenish levels of the live, friendly bacteria that help maintain vaginal health.
8. Talcum powderA sprinkling of talc around the vagina has been deemed a way to absorb sweat and moisture for a fresher feeling.
"However, I don't advise this," says Dr Brewer.
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"Some studies have found that using talcum powder in the genital area increases the risk of ovarian cancer – possibly because powders used over 20 years ago were sometimes contaminated with asbestos.
"Avoid vaginal deodorants, perfumed soap and talcum powder."
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