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Post by SatiyaH on Jul 8, 2004 20:41:45 GMT -5
I have the book "Sacred Woman" by Queen Afua. Higly informative. I read the original "menstruation" book back in the early 90's. I would never bathe during my menstrual cycle simply because the thought of soaking in water mixed with blood just sounds really nasty  The water also can cause increased cramps.  The pads with the belts and pins are waaaaay outdated and haven't been used in years--now they have a sticky backing to it. My 2 year old has gotten into mine before and stuck them to the walls ( not the used ones ) Sanitary pads are great to have in your first aid kit---they work well if applied to a gunshot, stab wound or other injury with bleeding involved. We keep a first aid kit in our car, and have a couple of pads in there. If there is ever a severe accident in which we are invovled in or witness, I will just stick one of those thingys right there on the wound!!!  It has been learned that douching is not medically necesary nor hygienically needed. It can cause an imbalancement of the natural flora. Women's bodies naturally cleanse themselves. To cut down on odor--daily bathing, and stick to only one sexual partner and to wait a few months before having a new partner. Our bodies adjust to our sexual partner's chemistry. Women should never smell "fishy". That fishy odor can be a sign of an STD or of a condition known as "bacterial vaginosis". BV is not considered an STD, however it 'can' be contagious if your man picks it up from you and passes it on to another partner. He himself won't "carry" the bacteria but for a very short period. BV isn't really an infection, but the result of an imbalancement of the natural flora of the vagina. This flora can become imbalanced during pregnancy, during high stress, during chemical changes from having multiple partners, from your male partner having multiple parnters and sharing their vaginal flora with you. Your flora or her flora will enter him and live there for a few days or longer if he is healthy and will pass on to you whomever he has intercourse with. One may not always develop BV this way, but it is a probable way to develop it. You can develop it from unclean sex toys--there really is no way to completely clean a rubber sex toy because it is pourous--you should always use a condom with your rubber sex toys. If a woman smells "fishy" chances are it is Bacterial vaginosis. It can clear up on it's own, or a doctor will prescribe various antibiotics, usually an antibiotic that is inserted into the vagina similar to the creams used for yeast infections. One of the tests a doctor uses to diagnose BV is the "whiff" test. Several drops of a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution are added to a sample of vaginal discharge to determine if a strong fishy odor is produced. A fishy odor on the whiff test suggests BV. That fish odor is already present, but is amplified by the KOH solution. More on BV my.webmd.com/hw/sexual_conditions/hw3367.asp |
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Post by SatiyaH on Jul 8, 2004 20:44:50 GMT -5
THE HEALTHY VAGINA
The vagina serves as a passageway between the outside of the body and the inner reproductive organs. The pH balance of the vagina is acidic, which discourages infections from occurring. This acidic environment is created by normally-occurring bacteria. A healthy vagina produces secretions to cleanse and regulate itself, similar to how saliva cleanses and regulates the environment of the mouth. These vaginal secretions are normal vaginal discharge. Any interference with the delicate balance of vaginal secretions sets up an environment conducive to infection.
NORMAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE
All women have some vaginal discharge. Normal discharge may appear clear, cloudy white, and/or yellowish when dry on clothing. It may also contain white flecks and at times may be thin and stringy. Changes in normal discharge can occur for many reasons, including menstrual cycle, emotional stressors, nutritional status, pregnancy, usage of medications - including birth control pills, and sexual arousal.
EFFECTS OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
The menstrual cycle affects the vaginal environment. You may notice increased wetness and clear discharge around mid-cycle. The pH balance of the vagina fluctuates during the cycle and is the least acidic on the days just prior to and during menstruation. Infections, therefore, are most common at this time.
SIGNS OF ABNORMAL DISCHARGE
Any changes in color or amount of discharge may be a sign of a vaginal infection. Vaginal infections are very common; most women will experience some form of a vaginal infection in their lifetime. If you experience any of the symptoms below, this may be a sign of vaginal infection:
Discharge accompanied by itching, rash or soreness
Persistent, increased discharge
Burning on skin during urination
White, clumpy discharge (somewhat like cottage cheese)
Grey/white or yellow/green discharge with a foul odor
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Post by SatiyaH on Jul 8, 2004 20:46:32 GMT -5
Outlined below is basic information on three common vaginal infections
BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
The exact cause of bacterial vaginosis is unknown. Similar to a yeast infection, there is an overgrowth of bacteria, and the delicate balance of the vaginal environment is upset when these bacteria occur in increased amounts. Recurrence of bacterial vaginosis is common and bacterial vaginosis can coexist with other vaginal infections.
Signs and Symptoms:
Increased amount of discharge
Grey/white, thin, watery discharge
Foul/fishy odor with discharge
Increased odor to discharge immediately after intercourse
Nearly half of the women with bacterial vaginosis don't display any symptoms.
Treatment: There is no over-the-counter treatment available. There are two treatment options with metronidazole (Flagyl) - an oral antibiotic or a topical antibiotic cream. Metronidazole can cause nausea and darkening of urine. Alcohol consumption should be avoided while on this medication, and for 48 hours after treatment, due to possible alcohol intolerance, which can result in nausea and vomiting. If you are using the vaginal antibiotic cream, it must be used daily for five days.
TRICHOMONIASIS
This infection is caused by a one-celled protozoan organism. Trichomoniasis is almost always spread through sexual contact. However, the protozoan organism can survive for up to twenty-four hours in a moist environment, making wet towels or bathing suits possible instruments of transmission from someone with the infection.
Signs and Symptoms: Most men and some women don't display any symptoms, which may include . . . . .
Yellow/green, frothy, discharge
Foul odor with discharge
Increased amount of discharge
Increased frequency of urination
Inflammation of vulva/vagina
Itching
Treatment: The treatment used is the oral antibiotic, metronidazole. Remember -- no alcohol consumption when taking the medication and for 48 hours after treatment! It is recommended that both partners be treated at the same time to avoid recurrent infections. Partners should be treated even if they aren't displaying any symptoms. Avoid intercourse until treatment is completed.
MONILIA (YEAST) INFECTION
There is normally a small amount of yeast (Candida albicans) present in the vagina. A yeast infection occurs when there is an overabundance of yeast, often caused by a change in the pH balance of the vagina. Yeast infections are not usually sexually transmitted.
Some Factors That May Increase Susceptibility to Yeast Infections:
Increased stress
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Use of oral contraceptives
Use of antibiotics (protective bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics, allowing yeast overgrowth)
Signs and Symptoms:
Increased amount of discharge
Redness, itching, burning in vaginal/vulvar area
White, clumpy (cottage cheese-like), discharge
Treatment: Since yeast is normally present in the vagina, it is unrealistic to try to eliminate all yeast. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to reduce the overgrowth of yeast organisms and return the vagina to a healthy balance. Treatment consists of antifungal agents in the form of tablets, vaginal creams or suppositories. Over-the-counter treatments are available. However, if you are pregnant, always be sure to have any medications approved by a health care provider. Partners are not usually treated unless they are displaying symptoms such as itching or irritation in the genital area. Treatment for male partners consists of the use of fungicidal cream on the penis.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR VAGINAL INFECTIONS:
Have new partners wear condoms during sexual intercourse.
Stay healthy; eat well, get enough sleep, drink enough fluids.
Keep vaginal area clean and dry.
Wear cotton underwear.
Wipe from front to back after urination or bowel movement.
Avoid using deodorant pads or tampons.
Don't use petroleum jelly or other oils for lubricants.
Don't douche.
Use medication as long as directed.
Avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is completed and you are symptom free.
Don't scratch infected or inflamed areas; it can cause further irritation.
If using medication inside the vagina, use it during the menstrual period.
During an infection, use pads rather than tampons if menstruation occurs.
Avoid vulvo/vaginal irritants, including perfumed or deodorant soaps/body washes.
If symptoms persist after completing the treatment, an exam is indicated. Call for an appointment,
and please use nothing in the vagina for 48 hours prior to your exam.
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