The healthy vagina is basically self-cleaning and hosts a wide variety of microorganisms. They live amicably in an acidic environment that prevents dominance of any one species and also fights pathogenic organisms. However, a number of factors can upset this balance: pregnancy, menopause, certain medications, chronic illness, unhealthy diet habits, excessive douching, severe emotional stress, and synthetic underclothes that trap body heat and moisture. When this balance is disturbed, there is overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens like Candida leading to yeast infection. Monthly hormonal rhythm, as a matter of course, causes fluctuations in the pH balance of the vagina. That is why most women with recurrent yeast infections notice exacerbation of symptoms a few days before the onset of periods which often clear up once the period has ended.
Normally,
estrogen causes glycogen to be deposited in the cells
lining the vagina. When progesterone is released, the
cells are shed into the vagina. The glycogen, which is a
type of sugar, then becomes available to the yeast
causing an explosion of its population. In addition,
just before menstruation and throughout the period, the
pH of the vagina becomes more alkaline, destroying the
friendly Lactobacillus that kept the Candida in check.
Thus, yeast infection symptoms can follow the
hormonal pattern of menstrual period. During and after
the period, symptoms are likely to settle. Vaginal
tissues are often more sensitive just before start of
the period. The feeling of itchiness may simply be
response of the body to the changes. Often when symptoms
clear at the end of period many women on antifungal
medication or natural remedies assume that the infection
has been treated successfully. But the onset of the next
period brings on another bout of yeast infection. The
most common reason for this is that many of the dormant
colonies of yeast were not eradicated by the previous
treatment and that another phase of the same infection
is manifesting. Hence treatment should persist for four
to five consecutive periods.
It
is worthwhile to remember that antifungal medications
are toxic to the yeast as well as to the body. They may
be necessary in acute cases but natural remedies like
grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, slippery
elm, yoghurt, apple cider vinegar, baking soda in
lukewarm water are all safe and effective and worth a
try.
The
best way to prevent yeast
infection before period
is to avoid getting one. A visit to a holistic medicine
practitioner will help you not only to eradicate the
infection but to lead overall healthy life. The holistic
approach to health involves eating a balanced, varied
diet, maintaining optimal body weight, exercises,
meditation, and other tension-relieving activities.
Changes in lifestyle habits such as avoiding tight
clothes, wearing clothes that "breathe" and maintaining
good personal hygiene also form a part of the
modalities.
