Yeast infections arise insidiously from habits that are a normal part of our daily lifestyle and are interwoven with our choice of diet, clothes, and even medicine. Unfortunately, most of us fail to recognize the symptoms as part of a larger problem. Candida, the yeast which causes infections is normally found in small numbers on the skin and in the vagina. The acidity of the vagina keeps it under control. Change in the normal acidity of the vagina or hormonal changes brings about an overgrowth of the Candida leading to yeast infection. Contraceptive devices such as Nueva Ring are also believed to increase the incidence of yeast infection. Devices such as Nueva Ring which need to be inserted into the vagina may cause irritation to the wall of the vagina increasing the chances of yeast infection.
Nueva Ring
is a soft plastic vaginal ring inserted inside the
vagina to protect against pregnancy. It is inserted into
the vagina and left in place for three weeks. Then it is
removed for a week for menstruation to occur. Nueva Ring
contains
a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones similar
to the hormones used in most oral birth control pills.
The main difference is in the way in which the
medication is delivered into the body. The hormones in
the ring are absorbed continuously and directly into the
blood stream through the vaginal wall
preventing the release of an egg from the
ovary.
According
to some studies one of the most common side effects of
Nueva
Ring
is an increased amount of vaginal discharge, vaginal
infections, and irritation. However, it was found that
women using Nueva
Ring
have an increased amount of Lactobacillus in the vagina
and it actually helps decrease the incidence of yeast
infections.
But
hormone therapies, whether as contraceptives or
menopause medications are often linked to yeast
infections. High estrogen levels over a long period of
time such as birth control or estrogen replacement
therapy causes the pH level of the vagina to drop to
neutral to slightly acidic which is ideal for yeast
overgrowth. It is believed that estrogen causes the
yeast to adhere to the vaginal walls.
Nueva Ring
has different effect on different women. While it may
cause yeast infection or exacerbate an already existing
one in some women, it may not adversely affect others.
So, if Nueva Ring causes yeast infections it
would be better to look at other options for birth
control. But all said and done, recurring yeast
infections due to any reason should not be taken for
granted. Even if a yeast infection is not normally
life-threatening it can be extremely distressing and
there is always a small probability that it may become
systemic and therefore dangerous. With a bit of
discipline and education it is possible to get rid of
yeast infections forever. For that it is best to visit a
holistic medicine practitioner who will treat your body
as a whole rather than only alleviate the symptoms. He
will suggest certain lifestyle changes and changes in
food habits, methods to manage stress etc which can all
be incorporated into daily life so that yeast infections
need never worry you again.
