At the risk of being accused of “over sharing,” I have decided to talk about yeast infections. I have not had one in about three years but this past week let me tell you, I could bake a loaf of bread in my vagina. Women get this annoying infection all of the time and we don’t talk about it because to admit it is to confirm in the minds of many that the vagina really is a polluted place.
Yeast infections are accompanied by a thick white discharge, redness, swelling, and itching. Believe me, the minute you have one the toilet brush suddenly seems like the most appealing lover that a girl could ever hope for. If you have never had one it is best to get it diagnosed by a doctor before buying over the counter medication to deal with the problem.
Like periods, yeast infections are something that we suffer through in silence. Unlike menstruation there is even less conversation about this issue. This is yet another sign of how disconnected we are from our bodies. With the medicalization of labour and delivery, women have lost our traditional ways of healing and we have learned to become ashamed of our biological processes; whispering about it occasionally to friends, only to discover that they are just as ignorant of female biology as we are.
Can you imagine announcing that you are cranky because you have a yeast infection or freely scratching yourself with impunity the way that men do? If even saying the word vagina is deemed faux pas in public, touching yourself is definitely out of the question. Our vaginas are deemed the property of men and therefore unless we are washing them or neatly trimming our pubic hair they are understood as a no “fly zone”.
There are still women that douche regularly because they believe that their vaginas are dirty. Many don’t even know that they are supposed to have discharge or that its consistency and color can change as we go through our monthly cycle. We would not tolerate such ignorance about our hands, or legs but when it comes to the vagina, the occasional hushed whisper often suffices.
This willful ignorance continues on because mothers who are not aware don’t teach their daughters. How many women still wipe back to front, instead of front to back? If you can take the time to clip your fingernails and brush your teeth, perhaps investing in your vagina might not be such a bad idea considering you are going to be in possession of one all of the days of your life.
So yeah this week I had a yeast infection. It was less than pleasant but you know what, it is part of being a woman. We need to acknowledge all of the things our bodies do even when it makes us uncomfortable.
Cross Posted from Womanist Musings
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i enjoyed your article about (she says in a whisper)…YEAST INFECTIONS…lol even though i KNEW i wasnt the ONLY one to ever have had one….or 2..lol i have to say..that in all my 38 years..ive NEVER discussed or even heard other women chat about their yeast infections..
i love reading your article. thanks for sharing. Now i know tbe do's and donts, we need to be clean always to kept away on that infection.
That reminds me, I need to make an appointment with my doctor. In other words, I feel your pain, sister. :/ Although, a female co-worker once described an infection a male resident had by comparing it (graphically) to her last yeast infection…now maybe THAT went a little TOO far! *lol* I have found as I grow older, that I care less what people think of me, and that has been a tremendous freeing force to live my life as I see fit.
Great article. I had one once in the hottest part of an Australian summer – 43 degrees celsius (what's that? About 107 degrees farenheit…) and the start of a new school year (I'm a teacher). I was hot, itchy, on fire and standing on my feet all day in front of students – so having a good scratch was out of the question! I'll never forget that. It still makes me squirm…
Also, not sure if Lisa (comment 2) missed the point, but I think it needs to be reiterated that a yeast infection (we call it 'thrush') is NOT caused by lack of cleanliness! (Vaginas are self-cleaning); it's caused by an internal imbalance often brought on by antibiotic use or too much refined sugar and carbs in the diet – sometimes a stomach upset can trigger one off. We need to make sure our stomachs and intestines are enjoying enough 'good' bacteria to keeps away these types of yeast imbalances – lots of yoghurt and pro-biotics help immensely. We also have to let our vaginas breathe by wearing cotton undies instead of polyester or nylon. No undies are even better!
I really love that you mentioned that the vagina is self-cleaning. So many people don't know that and they should because the fact that douches and scented tampons (both of which are just a urinary tract infection waiting to happen, in my opinion) are still on the market is proof positive that many women are still buying into the fact that their vaginas are disgusting and need to be cleaned.
You know, that is a uniquely American phenomenon! I have never heard of a scented tampon – and we simply don't have douches or sprays or anything like that here in Australia (at least not on the shelves I've ever seen). I got my first yeast infection when I was living in America and the drugstore man sold me a Betadine douche. Whilst it was soothing to use, it didn't really get rid of the problem. When I came back home to live and it happened to me again, I went in search of the same douche and was looked at blankly when I enquired at the pharmacy counter. A special cream had just been placed on the non-prescription list and was freely available over the counter from a pharmacist so I used that – but they also told me about the pro-biotics and the yoghurt etc. It definitely works.
Why can't women freely talk about this stuff? It's only thorugh speaking about it that we learn stuff!
I never used to suffer with thrush till I had my baby and now I seem to get it a lot. Am lucky as me and my group of friiends re vey open about that kind of stuff – one suggested having a pro biotic drink every day which helps her thrush
What I really hate about this issue is that when you share it to other girls, they'd go “eeww gross!” and start avoiding and mocking you. Really? Why, they've never had it? There aren't anything coming out of their v's? Ridiculous. I think this is the reason why it's something that aren't discussed more often, the is with how the women, themselves, react to it.
Great to hear someone discuss this “in public” so to speak.
Interesting article on yeast infections and how even women in this time and age still are ignorant about their body.
You have provided very good information about yeast infections. Many people do not know that actually taking the time to clean makes a difference, but then again do not over do it because it will only make your skin environment more sensitive. I think you do a very good job covering how woman can find help for their yeast infections.
Great information for us girls. Thank you so much for writing this article. I too found some great vagina thrush iinformation that your readers might find of interest is this vagina thrush page. Thanks for shearing your experience of yeast infections, we do appreciate it.
You have Provided some good information on yeast infections. many people do not know that men can also get yeast infections and i think you do a great job covering how they can help for there male yeast infections.
You have Provided some good information on yeast infections. many people do not know that men can also get yeast infections and i think you do a great job covering how they can help for there male yeast infections.
Thank you for the helpful information, I do however have a question to the author. Is douching twice a day recommended? or doing this, can kill healthy bacteria inside the vagina?
There are many over the counter medications that can cure diseases such as Yeast Infections which are commonly to happen to many women at least one point in their lives. A 100% natural cure is also an alternative cure if:
1. You don't want to suffer from side effects
2. You don't want to consume any drugs into your body
And this all comes down to also preventing certain foods during a yeast infection, because if the wrong foods are eaten, there then the yeast will feed from it and multiply.
So avoid foods like
-Pasta
-Fruit Juices
-Honey
-White bread
You have provided really great information regarding to cleansing and keeping the body clean, however I do have a question to the author:
Using Tampons filled with apple cider vinegar help the vaginal area to relief such symptoms?
Keep them posted, really helpful!
Thank you for the helpful information, I do however have a question to the author. Is douching twice a day recommended? or doing this, can kill healthy bacteria inside the vagina?
There are many over the counter medications that can cure diseases such as Yeast Infections which are commonly to happen to many women at least one point in their lives. A 100% natural cure is also an alternative cure if:
1. You don't want to suffer from side effects
2. You don't want to consume any drugs into your body
And this all comes down to also preventing certain foods during a yeast infection, because if the wrong foods are eaten, there then the yeast will feed from it and multiply.
So avoid foods like
-Pasta
-Fruit Juices
-Honey
-White bread
You have provided really great information regarding to cleansing and keeping the body clean, however I do have a question to the author:
Using Tampons filled with apple cider vinegar help the vaginal area to relief such symptoms?
Keep them posted, really helpful!
Very interesting blog, good information and extremly informative. You provide very good insight on what women go through and how terrible it may seem to everyone else especially men!
Great article I'd like to say that women aren't the only one that get yeast infection there's some called male yeast infection out there. http://male-yeast-infection-poster.blogspot.com...
You have provided a very interesting and a very informative article on yeast infection. A lot of people don't know
that even men can also get yeast infections. I also liked the part where you mentioned that the vagina is self-cleaning yet you still see people buying products from stores to cleanse it.
Thank you for your post about yeast infections. It is very informative and it shows me that I am not alone in the battle of having yeast infections.
I have seen a lot of male yeast infection pictures and some of them are very severe and a lot of men and women have this problem and need a cure for it.
Great article, everything you say is very informative. It is true that women are very secretive about this condition, it can be difficult to deal with.
Great article, it is very informative. It is true that most women keep this condition secretive.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Recurring-Yeast-Infecti...
As I said most of women are ashamed of talking of yeast infections. Yet, they are not STDs only, theya ppear mainly due to a hormonal imbalance. You should take some probiotics regularly to avoid repeteated thrush.
I am not into pharmaceutical solutions at all. There are a number of natural remedies for yeast infections… some widely known like yogurt and garlic. Some not so well known like chickweed ointment (at least to me).
Thanks for the insight I'm a guy and I understand some what on what it's like to have candida, yes it's safe to say guys can have male yeast infection. http://www.xomba.com/male_yeast_infection_cure_yeast_infection
This is a very common and annoying disease. Once You start to have problems it is very hart to get rid of it. I wish luck to all who are suffering from it.
I really liked your article. It is quite difficult to find information about this problem on internet. Thanks for all the information! I look forward to reading more on your website.
Recurrent Yeast Infections
thanks for the insight. there aren't many people who would discuss this out in the open
I love your article and how you make an awful situation funny. My first experience with yeast infections was when I was breastfeeding and my son developed oral thrush. I got it on my breasts first then it travel down what a nightmare.
Great article I like how you poked fun at a nasty situation. When I got my first yeast infection can you believe that someone actually recommended that I make a tampon out of cheesecloth and garlic and insert it in my vagina to cure the yeast infection.
Talk about making and bad situation worse. Like I want to go around smelling awful on top of it all. You can read more about it here here CuresForThrush.com
Hey, Renee
Love your honesty! I've suffered from yeast infections for the last 7 years on and off. And I mean suffer! I've tried everything from creams to pessaries with no avail. Natural Remedy for Yeast Infections is a blog that I have set up for fellow suffers.