There are various causes of infertility, one of them being an absence of ovulation in women. Clomiphene citrate or Clomid is a fertility medication that is used to induce ovulation, thereby increasing their chances of getting pregnant. It works by tricking the body into believing that it has low levels of estrogen, which then stimulates the production and secretion of hormones such as Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). These three stimulating hormones cause the eggs to mature, thus increasing the likelihood of ovulation. Unfortunately, the changes in hormonal balance brought about by Clomid also increase the chances of getting yeast infections.
Most
fertility treatments involve the use of fertility
medications, like Clomid, to induce ovulation and to
improve the quality and the quantity of eggs and to
facilitate implantation. Treatment is always
individualized; so each woman's experience with these
drugs can be different. Some women do not experience any
side effects while taking these medications. It is
possible that the hormonal peak just before ovulation
causes changes of the vaginal pH making it more
susceptible to yeast infection. Around the time of
ovulation it is normal to have an increase in vaginal
discharge. At times there can also be some itching or
irritation from the wetness related to the discharge
which are normal cyclic changes. But, it is recommended
that you visit a physician to rule out yeast infection.
The physician will check the vaginal discharge under the
microscope for presence of yeast. The mental stress
associated with trying to get pregnant may also make a
woman more susceptible to yeast infections.
It has
been seen that any change in balance between
progesterone and estrogen promotes yeast overgrowth. It
does not matter which hormone is in excess. High levels
of progesterone increases the amount of vaginal sugar
and increases the pH of the vaginal promoting yeast
overgrowth. Estrogen apparently makes the yeast adhere
to the vaginal walls and promotes their growth.
Yeast
infections are rampant particularly in modern society
due to decreased immunity to infections. Poor choice of
foods, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, and increase
in incidence of HIV, diabetes and other diseases, stress
of living, all render a person more susceptible to yeast
infections. Yeast infections have a wide variety of
symptoms and are often misdiagnosed. We often run to
physicians when symptoms trouble us. Physicians try to
suppress the symptoms with medications without treating
the cause. This leads to further deterioration in
health. The only way out of this rigmarole is holistic
medicine. Its aim is to eliminate the factors which
caused the symptoms. These may be physical, mental, or
emotional. These are rectified to promote cure and good
health.
