 Women's Natural
Health - The Natural Treatment of Vaginal Infections
By Christine Berry of Berry Technologies Inc.
It may come as a surprise to you, but vaginitis is one of the most common problems in
clinical medicine today. An inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the vagina,
vaginitis is characterized by vaginal irritation, an itchy burning sensation and abnormal
vaginal discharge. According to a study conducted by Healthy Woman Magazine, 1,427,000
Canadian women treated themselves for one or more vaginal infections in 2000. Many women
are plagued with recurrent vaginal infections for no apparent reason
Did you know that there are different types of vaginal infections?
While most vaginitis sufferers lump all vaginal irritations into the yeast infection
category, there are actually three different types of vaginitis: bacterial vaginosis,
candidiasis and trichomoniasis. Candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis are both caused by
disturbances in the naturally occurring vaginal flora. Candidiasis, commonly called a
yeast infection, is the result of an overgrowth of candida albicans; whereas, bacterial
vaginosis is due to a change in the natural balance among the different types of bacteria
in the vagina. Characterized by painful urination, trichomoniasis is an infection of the
uro-genital tract and is caused by a single celled protozoan, called trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis is a common STD referred to by some as “trich”.
It all comes down to maintaining a healthy balance. With the exception
of trichomoniasis, the root cause of most vaginal infections is an imbalance in the
vaginal flora. The Döderlein flora is named after the Munich gynecologist, Albert
Döderlein who discovered its existence in the vaginal flora of healthy women in 1892. It
is composed of a mix of 10 to 20 types of Lactobacillus bacteria. Döderlein observed that
the Lactobacillus bacteria produced lactic acid, which prevents an overgrowth of
pathogenic bacteria, by forming a protective biofilm at the surface of the vaginal mucosa.
It’s your body’s way of protecting itself from harmful
bacteria. The Lactobacilli biofilm is the body’s own natural protection against
vaginitis. By acidifying the vaginal area, producing anti-microbial hydrogen peroxide,
competing for food with pathogenic microorganisms and adhering to epithelial cells of the
vaginal mucosa leaving no space for invading pathogens, the naturally occurring
Lactobacillus bacteria prevent invading microorganisms from taking hold. Under such acidic
conditions, bacterial pathogens cannot grow and even those present are kept to
asymptomatic levels. Thriving on glycogen stores produced by the vaginal mucosa after
puberty, the Lactobacillus bacteria growth is directly affected by estrogen levels.
Sometimes it doesn’t have anything to do with your health habits.
Did you know that low or high estrogen levels are contributing factors to vaginitis? Low
estrogen levels significantly reduce the available glycogen-inhibiting Lactobacillus
growth. Associated with menopause and natural hormone level changes prior to and following
each menstrual cycle, low estrogen levels increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis
infection. High estrogen levels, while important to control the pathogenic bacteria
growth, may favour an overgrowth of Candida leading to a yeast infection, since Candida
also grows on glycogen. Oral contraceptives with high estrogen levels or the use of
antibiotics that destroy healthy vaginal flora both contribute to candidiasis.
Before running out to the pharmacy consider a healthy alternative.
Today, women have access to many treatment options for vaginitis, including both
pharmaceutical and over-the-counter probiotic vaginal suppositories. It is critical for a
patient presenting a first time infection to confirm with an appropriate practitioner the
type of infection prior to seeking alternative treatments. A standard treatment for
vaginal infections in Europe for many years, there is currently only one probiotic
approved for use in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in Canada. This product is also
approved for use in conjunction with other gynecological treatments, such as antibiotics
and yeast infection treatments, and for symptomatic relief from candidiasis and
trichomoniasis.
Did you know probiotics are suitable as a preventative therapy as well
as to treat acute conditions? By fostering the growth of healthy Lactobacillus bacteria,
probiotics work with the body’s natural defenses using microorganisms to restore or
maintain the delicate balance. Containing active Lactobacillus strains and yogurt culture,
probiotic treatments acidify the vagina inhibiting the growth of invading pathogens.
Probiotic vaginal suppositories act as a protective barrier actually binding to the
epithelial cells within the vaginal mucosa to prevent any other microorganisms from
invading that space.
What can you do to maintain healthy flora? Vaginitis is exacerbated by
stress, antibiotic use, diabetes, oral contraceptives, douching, as well as changes in
hormone levels experienced during pregnancy and menopause. Conventional therapies used to
treat vaginitis, including the common over-the-counter and prescription medications
Metronidazol or Fluconazol, often fail to restore the natural vaginal flora leading to a
high incidence of recurring infection. Women who are predisposed to vaginitis should
consider avoiding antibiotics altogether or include a probiotic supplement to foster the
growth of healthy vaginal flora.
By maintaining healthy habits and using probiotics for the prevention
or treatment of vaginitis, women are taking charge of their vaginal health.
Christine Berry, President of Berry Technologies Inc., is
committed to the betterment of women’s health. They carry a line of women's health
products including Fermalac, a vaginal probiotic for the prevention & treatment of
acute & recurrent vaginal infections. For info on vaginitis or vaginal probiotics,
contact 1.888.828.0828 or visit www.berrytechnologies.ca
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