Did you know that three out of four women will experience at least one yeast infection in her lifetime? Yup, it’s true -- and if you’ve had one, you know the signs firsthand: severe vaginal itching and irritation accompanied by a thick, white discharge. Sometimes, they are also accompanied by a painful burning sensation.
Yeast infections are certainly not pleasant by any means, but *thankfully* under most circumstances, they are super easy to treat.
Ready to learn how to fight back against yeast infections? We can help.
But First, What Exactly Causes A Yeast Infection?
Believe it or not, the vagina always contains tiny amounts of yeast. When you are healthy, that yeast -- technically, a fungus called Candida albicans -- exists in true harmony with your immune system and your other normal vaginal microorganisms.
But when something disrupts this delicate balance, the yeast can grow really fast, becoming dense enough to cause the notorious symptoms of a full-blown infection (aka a yeast infection).
Antibiotics are one of the most common culprits behind yeast infections. Why? Because they quickly destroy bacteria and thereby disrupt the fragile balance of power among the vaginal microorganisms. This necessary balance is also affected by hormone levels, so women are much more prone to infections right before menstruation, if they are pregnant or if they are using hormonal contraceptives.
Yeast infections are also more common in those with compromised immune systems due to different health issues. In fact, anything that weakens your immune system -- lack of sleep, stress, consumption of alcohol, and even refined sugar -- can lead to an overgrowth of yeast.
Wait -- Is A Yeast Infection The Same Thing As A UTI?
Not exactly. While both of these icky issues suck all-around-- they’re different.
A urinary tract infection -- or UTI for short -- is just what it sounds like, an infection of the urinary tract. That includes the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters (the tiny tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys). Both men and women can get them, but women tend to get them more often because the female urethra is shorter, making it much easier for bacteria to travel inside the body to the urinary tract. The telltale symptoms of a UTI include burning with urination, a frequent need to urinate, bad-smelling or cloudy urine, bloody urine, and pain in the lower belly, back, or sides.
If you have a UTI, you’ll likely receive a prescription for a short course of antibiotics to help your body fight the bacteria. However, as we mentioned a little earlier, antibiotics work by destroying bacteria -- both good and bad -- so when the bacteria in your delicate vaginal microbiome become unbalanced after treating your UTI, it’s not uncommon to then experience a pesky yeast infection.
How To Combat Yeast Infections
Your vagina is one tough cookie and has the natural ability to balance itself out when your pH balance starts to tip in one direction or the other -- and you often won’t even notice. That said, when you start to feel the symptoms of a dreaded yeast infection, the scales have likely tipped too far in one direction, causing this delicate balance to get out of whack, resulting in itching, discomfort, and a questionable discharge.
So, what’s the best way to fight against yeast infections, you ask?
Simple. By keeping the peace (or balance) in your vagina. And the best way to do this is with a great probiotic like Good Girl Probiotics from Love Wellness*.
Hold Up — What the Heck Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are microorganisms that can benefit your health in more ways than one. They naturally live on and in our bodies, helping with digestion, warding off illnesses, and making vitamins. Probiotics may support health by helping to maintain a balanced microbiome and supporting your immune system-- both of which are key to keeping pesky yeast infections at bay!
Why Good Girl Probiotics?
There are a ton of different probiotic supplements on the market, but when it comes to women’s health, Love Wellness reigns supreme. Why? Because Love Wellness takes a sensible approach to self-care that’s body-positive, based in science, and made with what you want in mind -- that’s why!
Good Girl Probiotics is made with eight powerful strains of good bacteria for vaginal health, whereas most probiotics only contain one*. The unique supplement supports three key areas: reproductive health organs, the gut, and the immune system, to help maintain a balanced vaginal pH and healthy levels of vaginal yeast and bacteria.
All you have to do is take two capsules every day to maintain excellent vaginal flora and keep those pesky yeast infections away.
A Final Word
Yeast infections are no fun and can really put a damper on your day. They itch, smell, and are so incredibly uncomfortable -- we wouldn’t wish one on our worst enemy (ok, well, maybe).
Thankfully, with Good Girl Probiotics from Love Wellness can help reduce problems by keeping your vaginal flora balanced, healthy, and happy*.
Here at Love Wellness, all of our products are made with love, setting the new standard for women’s health. All of our supplements are made with clean ingredients to support specific self-care issues. Whether you’re looking to reduce the symptoms of an oncoming UTI or banish a pesky yeast infection once and for all -- Love Wellness has your back.
Always.
Sources:
Warding Off Recurrent Yeast and Bacterial Vaginal Infections: Lactoferrin and Lactobacilli | NCBI
Urinary Tract Infections: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic