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Bacterial Vaginosis

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Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal infection (vaginitis). For grammatical reasons, some people prefer to call it vaginal bacteriosis. It is NOT generally considered to be a sexually transmitted infection . BV is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterial flora, and should not be confused with yeast infection (candidiasis), or infection with Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis) which are not caused by bacteria.

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Symptoms:
The most common symptom of BV is an abnormal vaginal discharge (especially after sex) with an unpleasant fishy smell. There is rarely itching.Nearly half of all women with BV don’t notice any symptoms. By contrast, a ‘normal’ discharge will be odourless and will vary in consistency and amount with your menstrual cycle – a normal discharge is at its clearest about 2 weeks before your period starts.

General Diagnosis:
When you go to your healthcare provider with questions about vaginal discharge, he or she will have several diagnoses in mind to account for it. These may include:

1.The discharge is normal for you
2.Candidiasis (thrush, or a yeast infection)
3.Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis)
4.Bacterial vaginosis
To find out which of these is the case, a few simple tests are done. The provider will carry out a speculum examination and take some swabs from high in the vagina. These swabs will be tested for:

1.A characteristic smell—this is called the whiff test. A small amount of an alkali is added to a microscope slide that has been swabbed with the discharge—a ‘fishy’ odour is a positive result for bacterial vaginosis.
2.Loss of acidity—the vagina is normally slightly acidic (with a pH of 3.8–4.2), which helps to control bacteria. A swab of the discharge is put onto litmus paper to check the acidity.A positive result for bacterial vaginosis would be a pH of over 4.5.

3.’Clue cells’—so called because they give a clue to the reason behind the discharge. These are epithelial cells (like skin) that are coated with bacteria. They can be seen under microscopic examination of your discharge.
Two positive results in addition to the discharge itself are enough to diagnose BV. If there is no discharge, then all 3 criteria are needed.

What might be done?
Your doctor may be able to diagnose bacterial vaginosis from your symptoms. swabs of any discharge may be taken and tested to confirm the diagnosis.

Causes:
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by excess growth of some of the bacteria that normally live in the vagina, particularly gardnerella vaginalis and mycoplasma hominis. as a result, the natural balance of organisms, in the vagina is altered. the reason for this excess growth is unknown, but the condition is more common in sexually active women and often, but notalways, occurs in association with sexually transmitted diseases. vaginal infections can also be caused by an overgrowth of the candida fungus and the protozoan trichomonas vaginalis. Bacterial vaginosis often causes no symptoms. however, some women have a grayish white vaginal discharge with a fishy or musty odor and vaginal or vulval itching. rarely, the disorder leads to pelvic inflammatory disease, in which some of thereproductive organs become inflamed.

A healthy vagina normally contains many microorganisms, some of the common ones are Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii. Lactobacillus, particularly hydrogen peroxide-producing species, appears to help prevent other vaginal microorganisms from multiplying to a level where they cause symptoms. (Note: Lactobacillus acidophilus is not one of the species of Lactobacillus identified as playing a protective role in vaginal flora.) The microorganisms involved in BV are very diverse, but include Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus, Bacteroides, and Mycoplasma. A change in normal bacterial flora including the reduction of lactobacillus, which may be due to the use of antibiotics or pH imbalance, allows more resistant bacteria to gain a foothold and multiply. In turn these produce toxins which affect the body’s natural defenses and make re-colonization of healthy bacteria more difficult.

Most cases of bacterial vaginosis occur in sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 44, especially after contact with a new partner. Condoms may provide some protection and there is no evidence that spermicide increases BV risk. Although BV appears to be associated with sexual activity, there is no clear evidence of sexual transmission.Rather, BV is a disordering of the chemical and biological balance of the normal flora. Recent research is exploring the link between sexual partner treatment and eradication of recurrent cases of BV. Pregnant women and women with sexually transmitted infections are especially at risk for getting this infection. Bacterial vaginosis does not usually affect women after menopause. A 2005 study by researchers at Ghent University in Belgium showed that subclinical iron deficiency (anemia) was a strong predictor of bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. A longitudinal study published in February 2006 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed a link between psychosocial stress and bacterial vaginosis independent of other risk factors.

Complications:
Although previously considered a mere nuisance infection, untreated bacterial vaginosis may cause serious complications, suchas increased succeptibility to sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and may present other complications for pregnant women. It has also been associated with an increase in the development of Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy or an abortion.

Modern Treatment:
Bacterial vaginosis can be cured by antibiotics such as metronidazole and clindamycin. However, there is a high rate of recurrence. Currently, there are very few over the counter products that address bacterial vaginosis. A vaginal gel product called

RepHresh claims to regulate the pH level. Boric acid capsules inserted vaginally is considered a home treatment.

Lactobacillus supplements may also be used; Fem-dophilus (Jarrow Formulas) is a lactobacillus product which specifically claims to help maintain healthy vaginal flora.

It should be noted that seeking medical attention is often necessary, because none of the over the counter products can claim to treat an active infection. More importantly, patients often inaccurately diagnose BV as a yeast infection, and delay proper treatment which may lead to complications.

In a randomized controlled trial, researchers found the efficacy of 0.75% metronidazole vaginal gel in treating bacterial vaginosis (cure rate 70.7%) was equivalent to that of standard oral metronidazole treatment (cure rate 71%). Treatment with vaginal metronidazole gel was associated with fewer gastrointestinal complaints.

Natural Remedies of Bacterial Vaginosis

Herbal Remedy for Bacterial Vaginosis

Homeopathic Therapeutics. Aspergillus; Candida; Notatum ..

Bacterial Vaginosis & Homeopathy

Homeopathic Medicines for Bacterial Vaginosis

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Resources:
http://www.charak.com/DiseasePage.asp?thx=1&id=226
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_vaginosis.

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Older women don’t benefit from HRT

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The findings of a study has confirmed the theory that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not benefit older women, and should not be prescribed to them in an attempt to prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease.

In 1999, boffins undertook the Women’s International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause (WISDOM) trial to assess the long-term risks and benefits of HRT after the menopause.

It was stopped after a 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial found that women many years past menopause that were taking HRT had more heart attacks and strokes than those not taking the HRT.

The finding resulted in millions of women the world over discontinuing with the therapy, reports the BMJ.

Now however, boffins believe that the risk of heart attack and stroke only applies to older women, and not younger women in early menopause, for whom it remains a safe short term treatment to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. These findings are based on the WISDOM trial that have recently been published.

As a part of their study, the researchers conducting the WISDOM trial identified 5,692 healthy women in the UK, Australia and New Zealand with an average age of 63 years and 15 years after the menopause.

Women who had not had a hysterectomy were split at random into two groups.

One group of women was given a daily dose of combined hormone therapy (oestrogen and progestogen) while the other was the control group.

Women who had had a hysterectomy were further split between combined hormone treatment, oestrogen only and a placebo.

The volunteers were then monitored for an average of one year, with main outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporotic fractures, breast cancer and deaths being recorded.

The researchers found that there was a significant increase in the number of major cardiovascular events women in the combined hormone therapy group when they were compared to the placebo group.

However, they also noted that the there was not much significant difference in the two groups in rates for cerebrovascular disease, breast or other cancers, fractures and overall deaths.

The study thus reinforced experts’ belief that

Source:The Times Of India

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Yeast Infection Or Vaginitis


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Definition:
This is a vaginal infection caused most commonly by the fungal organism Candida albicans.
Alternative Names
Yeast infection – vagina; Vaginal candidiasis; Monilial vaginitis

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Anything that disturbs the normal balance of yeast and bacteria or the pH (acid/base) level in the vagina can create ideal conditions for yeast to grow uncontrolled. The normal vaginal environment can be upset by something as simple as the wearing of tight jeans or nylon underwear. The risk of yeast infections is also increased by hormonal changes during pregnancy, by the use of birth control pills or spermicides, or by diabetes

Candida albicans is a widespread organism with worldwide distribution. It is normally found in small amounts in the vagina, the mouth, the digestive tract, and on the skin without causing disease or symptoms (approximately 25% of women without disease symptoms have this organism present).

Symptoms appear when the balance between the normal microorganisms of the vagina is lost, and the Candida albicans population becomes larger in relation to the other microorganism populations.

This happens when the environment (the vagina) has certain favorable conditions that allow growth and nourishment of Candida albicans. An environment that makes it difficult for the other microorganisms to survive may also cause an imbalance and lead to a yeast infection.

Yeast infection may follow a course of antibiotics (particularly tetracycline) that were prescribed for another purpose. The antibiotics change the normal balance between organisms in the vagina by suppressing the growth of protective bacteria that normally have an antifungal effect.

Infection is common among women who use estrogen-containing birth control pills and among women who are pregnant. This is due to the increased level of estrogen in the body. The increased hormone level causes changes in the vaginal environment that make it perfect for fungal growth and nourishment.

Yeast infections may also occur in association with diabetes or problems that affect the immune system (such as AIDS or HIV).

Vaginal candidiasis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. However, 12% to 15% of men will develop symptoms such as itching and penile rash following sexual contact with an infected partner.

Close attention should be paid to episodes of vaginal candidiasis. Repeat infections that occur immediately following therapy, or a persistent yeast infection that does not respond to therapy, may be the first or, at least, an early sign that an individual is infected with HIV.
Both males and females with HIV infection who have developed AIDS may be subject to disseminated infection with candida, including oral candidiasis (in the mouth), esophageal candidiasis (in the esophagus), and cutaneous candidiasis (on the skin).

Symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Ranges from a slightly watery, white discharge to a thick, white, chunky discharge (like cottage cheese)
Vaginal and labial itching, burning
Redness of the vulvar skin
Inflammation of the vulvar skin
Pain with intercourse
Urination, painful

Signs and tests:
A pelvic examination will be performed. It may show inflammation of the skin of the vulva, within the vagina, and on the cervix. The examining physician may find dry, white plaques on the vaginal wall.
A wet prep (microscopic evaluation of vaginal discharge) shows Candida.

Treatment:
Generally, the first incidence of yeast infection should be treated by your health care provider. After the first infection, if a second infection occurs and is unquestionably a yeast infection, self-treatment may be initiated with over-the-counter vaginal creams such as miconazole or clotrimazole. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated by your gynecologist or primary health care provider.
Cranberry juice and yogurt are two foods that may help prevent the occurrence of yeast infections and aid in their treatment.
Medications for vaginal yeast infections are available in either vaginal cream/suppositories or oral preparations. The use oral preparation should be avoided during pregnancy.

Expectations (prognosis):
The symptoms usually disappear completely with adequate treatment.

Complications:
Chronic or recurrent infections may occur. This may be from inadequate treatment or self-reinfection.
Secondary infection may occur. Intense or prolonged scratching may cause the skin of the vulva to become cracked and raw, making it more susceptible to infection.

When to Call Your Doctor :
Call your health care provider if symptoms are unresponsive to self-treatment with recommended vaginal creams, or if other symptoms are present.
If you experience any of above symptoms for the first time.
If vaginal discharge has a strong, foul-smelling odor, or is tinged with blood.
If symptoms don’t disappear in five days despite treatment.
If the yeast infection returns within two months.
Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements or alternative medication.

Herbal Remedy:
YOU can fight yeast infection with symptoms that include a weakened immune system, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, bad breath, rectal itching, impotence, mood swings, memory loss, canker sores, heartburn, acne, night sweats, itching, stopped-up sinuses, burning tongue, white spots in the mouth, white spots on the tongue, vaginitis, kidney problems, bladder infections, mood swings, depression, fatigue, arthritis, adrenal exhaustion, hyperactivity, hypothyroidism, diabetes with these herbs from Mother Nature’s medicine chest:

Coral calcium with trace minerals, maitake mushroom, garlic extract, pau d’arco, una de gato extract, quercetin.

Prevention:
Avoid persistent and excessive moisture in the genital area by wearing underwear or pantyhose with cotton crotches, and loose fitting slacks. Avoid wearing wet bathing suits or exercise clothing for long periods of time, and wash them after each use.

Supplement Recommendations:
Vitamin C
Dosage: 1,000 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Reduce dose if diarrhea develops.

Echinacea
Dosage: 200 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Use in a cycle of 3 weeks on, 1 week off, for recurrent infections; standardized to contain at least 3.5% echinacosides.

Acidophilus
Dosage: 1 pill twice a day orally or as a suppository.
Comments: Get 1-2 billion live (viable) organisms per pill. Can insert oral pill into vagina; discontinue after 5 days.

Bifidus
Dosage: 1 pill twice a day.
Comments: Use a supplement that contains 1-2 billion live (viable) organisms per pill.

FOS
Dosage: 2,000 mg twice a day.
Comments: Use in combination with acidophilus and bifidus.

Tea Tree Oil
Dosage: Insert suppository into vagina every 12 hours for 5 days.
Comments: Available in health-food stores.

Vitamin A/Calendula
Dosage: Insert suppository into vagina every 12 hours for 5 days.
Comments: Available in health-food stores.

Click to learn more about Vaginitis

Natural Yeast Infection Remedies Are Perfect Yeast Fighters

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Vaginal yeast infection

Cure East Infection Holestically

Ayurvedic Treatment Of East Infection

Homeopathic Medicine for East Infection
MotherNature.com – Yeast Infection

Alternative remedies for Yeast Infection And Other Forms of VaginitisÂ

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

 

Sources:
Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs,
www.healthline.com
http://www.herbnews.org/candidiasisdone.htm

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Menopause

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Menopauseis a natural phenomena. Because every woman experiences menopause differently, The actual definition of menopause is that your period ceases, but your health care professional won’t know for sure it was your final period until a full 12 months have passed.

Natural menopouse vs Surgical menopause

Natural menopause:
It occurs gradually when your ovaries naturally stop producing the hormone estrogen. That’s when fertility ends. So if you’re between 45 and 55, menopause may be on your radar. Of course, it can happen earlier or later, but the average age is 51.

Surgical menopause:
It occurs when the ovaries are removed, which is often performed as part of a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure where they remove part or all of your uterus and possibly your ovaries. When you have your ovaries removed, menopause begins immediately, because your ovaries are no longer producing estrogen. If you have not had your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, you will experience menopause naturally.

Perimenopouse:
Something you’ve probably heard a lot about in the news these days is perimenopause, which is a prelude to menopause and can last several years. These are the years when estrogen production from the ovaries starts to decline and symptoms, such as hot flashes, may begin to appear. This is a wise time to check with your doctor so that you’re prepared for menopause.

Safety Informations:

Thousands of women seeking relief from night sweats, hot flashes, and other menopausal symptoms. Many women experience menopausal symptoms and may not know that there are treatment options available to help them.

Fortunately, there are options to help you treat these symptoms. One of the most effective FDA–approved options for treating menopausal symptoms is hormone therapy. It has been proven to help relieve moderate to severe menopausal symptoms by providing you with the estrogen your ovaries no longer produce on their own. And, as an added benefit, it helps protect against bone loss that can lead to postmenopausal osteoporosis.

There are a variety of things a woman can do to help with symptom relief. In many cases, modification in diet and exercise can provide a basis for a healthy approach to menopause. Additionally, prescription products, such as hormone therapy, or nonprescription products, such as alternative remedies, are options for consideration.
Much of the confusion surrounding the safety of hormone therapy comes from reports on a major study called the WHI or the Women’s Health Initiative. What many people don’t realize is that this study was set up to see if there are other uses for hormone therapy, like improving heart health. It was not designed to evaluate the proven benefits of hormone therapy for the relief of hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

Important Safety Information
Hormone therapy isn’t right for all women, and it doesn’t prevent heart disease. Hormone therapy may increase your chance of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, blood clots, or dementia, and should be taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time based on your goals and risks. If you have a uterus, estrogens increase the risk of uterine cancer. Adding a progestin greatly reduces this risk. The use of estrogens and progestins should be reevaluated regularly with your health care professional. If you’re not having symptoms, non-estrogen treatments should be considered before starting therapy to prevent bone loss.

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Endometriosis

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Many women suffer from the pain and heavy bleeding of endometriosis. In the past, they often were told their complaints were “just cramps” or “all in your head”. Today, doctors take this condition more seriously, but conventional medicine offers little to ease its symptoms.

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Symptoms

*Intense menstrual cramps that begin before your period starts and reach their peak after it ends.
*Abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding, often with large clots.
*Nausea and vomiting just before a menstrual period.
*Sharp pain during sexual intercourse at any time of the month.
*Diarrhea, constipation, or pain during bowel movements.
*Blood in the stool or urine during menstrual period.
*Infertility.

When to Call Your Doctor

If you have any of the above symptoms.
Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

What It Is

In endometriosis, bits of the uterine lining (endometrium) migrate out of the uterus and embed themselves in other abdominal tissues, often the ovaries, uterine ligaments, or intestines. Each month, as estrogen and other hormones cause the lining of the uterus to thicken with blood, the wayward cells also expand. The uterine tissues then slough off normally. But the stray cells have nowhere to release the blood they’ve amassed, leading to cysts, scarring, or adhesions (fibrous tissue that binds parts of the body that are normally not attached to each other). Although not all women with endometriosis have symptoms, the condition can cause severe pain. Endometriosis is a leading cause of female infertility.

What Causes It

No one knows why endometriosis develops, but speculation abounds. According to the reflux menstruation theory, menstrual blood travels backward through the fallopian tubes, funneling endometrial cells into other abdominal areas where they seed and grow. Another hypothesis suggests that endometriosis is congenital — meaning that some endometrial cells have been outside the uterus since birth. Still another idea is that endometriosis is caused by a faulty immune system, which neglects to destroy the out-of-place cells.

How Supplements Can Help

All of the supplements listed can be used together and with any medications prescribed by your doctor. Begin by taking the traditional combination of chasteberry and dong quai. These herbs aid in correcting the hormonal imbalances that can intensify the pain of endometriosis. They also relax the uterus, as does wild yam. In addition, take a lipotropic combination, which stimulates the liver to clear excess estrogen from the body. Use these supplements throughout your menstrual cycle for best results. If menstrual cramps are painful, take the high doses of calcium and magnesium listed, but only during your period. These minerals help to lower the body’s production of prostaglandins, substances made by endometrial cells that cause menstrual cramps.

What Else You Can Do

Eat soy products, which contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) that may offset the effect of estrogen on symptoms of endometriosis.
Exercise. In several studies, it has been shown to suppress symptoms and may actually prevent endometriosis.

Supplement Recommendations

Chasteberry
Dong Quai
Wild Yam
Lipotropic Combination
Calcium/Magnesium
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Flaxseed Oil
Evening Primrose Oil

Chasteberry
Dosage: 225 mg standardized extract 3 times a day.
Comments: Also called vitex. Should contain 0.5% agnuside.

Dong Quai
Dosage: 200 mg, or 30 drops tincture, 3 times a day.
Comments: Standardized to contain 0.8%-1.1% ligustilide.

Wild Yam
Dosage: 500 mg twice a day.
Comments: Take with food to minimize stomach upset.

Lipotropic Combination
Dosage: 1 or 2 pills 3 times a day.
Comments: Should contain milk thistle, choline, inositol, methionine, dandelion, and other ingredients.

Calcium/Magnesium
Dosage: 500 mg calcium 4 times a day; 500 mg magnesium twice a day.
Comments: Use this dose only during menstruation.

Vitamin C
Dosage: 1,000 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Reduce dose if diarrhea develops.

Vitamin E
Dosage: 400 IU twice a day.
Comments: Check with your doctor if taking anticoagulant drugs.

Flaxseed Oil
Dosage: 1 tbsp. (14 grams) a day.
Comments: Can be mixed with food; take in the morning.

Evening Primrose Oil
Dosage: 1,000 mg 3 times a day.
Comments: Can substitute 1,000 mg borage oil once a day.

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Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Source:Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs(Reader’s Digest)

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