When it comes to sex, a headache is an easy excuse for avoiding intimacy, but aspirins do not work. Modern drugs can eradicate infections, but vaginal issues still cause the untold misery that women are usually too shy to mention. It is worth knowing that soap is public enemy No 1, followed by antibiotics harsh deodorants, bleached toilet paper and certain drugs. Allergies too, can cause these “headaches”!

We will discuss the causes and cures of vaginal disorders that emerged during the years I was troubleshooting as well as developing products for a leading gynaecologist in Cape Town. He was a very polite, discreet elderly Dutch gentleman who had a passion for natural medicine, especially Homeopathy. He did not understand women and how they think, feel and understand, so I provided a viewpoint from the fairer sex. The vagina resembles a tube that connects the cervix, or door of the womb, to the vulva (inner and outer labia: the folds of tissue that enclose the entrance to the vagina). These regions can be affected by a number of disorders that often seem more alarming than they actually are. Most ladies refer to this whole group of organs as the vagina but this is not correct, according to the good Doctor. The cervix and vagina are always covered with a mucous lining that keeps them moist but the outer labia do not have this lining. This ongoing natural lubrication prevents the epithelium from chafing, but often we experience a degree of discomfort. Vaginal dryness usually refers to insufficient lubrication of the vulva from secretory glands.

Vaginal pH is acidic, so avoid normal soap. I was asked to make herbal tinctures from urtica, calendula, witch hazel and ledum and formulate a vaginal douche. The beloved physician explained that these herbs help to ease the “pain and discomfort of the vagina.” But, he whispered, “How you can get rid of that other stuff?” Something to do with a yeast infection, I presumed, a common curse – one that is exacerbated by washing with normal (alkaline) soap. It was twenty years ago, when I formulated an intimate cleanser with an acidic pH of 3.5, and that alone helped to solve many a headache. The use of broad spectrum anti-bacterial agents that contain Triclosan will kill off natural friendly bacteria and also cause more resistant strains of infection to mutate and breed. Weakened, inflamed skin encourages bacterial and fungal infections to multiply very quickly.

Harsh cleansing with soap and shower gel also removes the lubricating secretions from the outer labia, leaving them dry, sensitive and itchy. The problem is made worse by the use of vaginal sprays and other deodorants that may inflame sensitive skin and upset the acidic pH balance. We also advised women to add a little salt and vinegar to a rinse, douche, or even a sitz-bath for immediate relief from the burning. The vaginal biome is acidic, that is why it reacts to soap (pH10). Menstrual blood has a pH of 7,4 so it is alkaline. The vagina cannot maintain the acidic balance during the menstrual cycle, hence the potential for odour. It takes over eight hours for the vagina to return to the normal acidic level after sex because semen is very alkaline at a pH of 8 to10. A healthy vagina does not have an unpleasant smell and does not require soapy washes, scrubbing or perfumed chemical deodorants that may be aggravating the condition.

The vaginal biome needs beneficial bacteria (probiotics). Today we are more familiar with taking probiotics when we use antibiotics to compensate for the loss of beneficial bacteria. They can also be introduced topically, when added to a pH balanced cleansing solution. “Yes”, the doctor agreed: “but how you get it up the vagina?” Well, women know how to wash, bath and shower – we do it every day without the need for any special apparatus I explained. The general complaint we hear from women is that they have Candida. We all have colonies of Candida yeast but if our beneficial strains of bacteria dwindle; the yeast proliferates excessively. This causes a host of unpleasant effects such as itchiness, discharges and inflammation collectively known as candidiasis.

Probiotics are live bacteria that inhabit the gut, nasal and chest cavitiy and vagina. They make up over 80% of the immune system and survive by consuming yeast and other microbes. Probiotics neutralize toxins, remove heavy metals and create vitamins but they need Candida (yeast) for food! Yoghurt is a source of lactobacillus acidophilus, but it is not about the amount of each microbe you need but more the variety of strains. Microbes grow by themselves so the latest trend is to provide a larger selection to establish a healthy population of beneficial bacteria. Probiotic supplements will grow on food, molasses, yoghurt or even a glass of water at room temperature. Try emptying out a capsule and letting it soak in water. The TMA (total microbial action) doubled within a few days when I left a teaspoon of my probiotic concentrate in a glass of water at room temperature. It just keeps on growing!

Fermented food provides a host of gut flora that help to control candida and a whole lot more. Today our traditional food-enhancing skills have flown out of the window. Natural and slow give way to quick and easy and we take pills to compensate for a lack of probiotics, a major cause of candidiasis that causes serious discomfort in the nether regions. We toss out food that goes mouldy, milk that is sour and vegetables that look rotten. Yoghurt and amasi (rotten milk) provide bacteria like lactobacillus acidophilus and for vegans, fermented cabbage (sauerkraut) and other anaerobically fermented vegetables provides provide a tasty alternative. Trillions of microbes are provide by other fermented delicacies such as yoghurt, buttermilk, kefir, amasi, cheese, beer, wine, Kombucha, soybeans, olives, and even cocoa, tea and coffee.

Antibiotics and also an excess of echinacea, goldenseal, oregano oil and propolis kill off our valuable probiotic colonies. Even copious amounts of garlic or cloves destroy pathogenic as well as beneficial bacteria. Supplement with sauerkraut: One or two tablespoons of sauerkraut a day keeps the yeast families, especially the Candida albicans strains at bay and balances the acid/alkali levels within the small and large intestines. It creates the perfect growth medium for probiotics to flourish. As a digestive aid, sauerkraut converts lactose from milk into lactic acid. Lactic acid is essential to stop the growth of harmful bacteria, yeasts and moulds connected to: cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome and Candidiasis. A bit of the juice (lactic acid) can also be added to a douche to correct the vaginal pH and encourage the growth of lactobacillus plantarum.

Do allergies and a vitamin B deficiency cause vaginal rashes? One day the gynaecologist was really baffled by a persistent vaginal rash that was bothering a young lady. No amount of pathology could determine its cause and no anti-fungal, anti-septic, antibiotic or, corticosteroids could resolve it. I knew it had to be an allergy, but to what? She was a chef, so it could be anything. I narrowed it down to trigger foods for her blood type. Wheat was a good starting point for her blood type O. After eliminating it from her diet for a few weeks, the rash abated. Sometimes a persistent, red, burning itchy vulva can cause untold misery. Infections or even discharges may not be present. Food that does not agree with you can make the body react in strange ways. Some foods or additives cause asthma, skin rashes or emotional disturbances. Rashes can also break out in the vagina. Liquid amino acid supplements may also cause a nasty rash in the vaginal area. The irritation subsides as soon as the offending substance is no longer used or consumed. Even toilet paper can cause a severe rash. Ironically, the super white, ultra-bleached brands are the worst offenders. So too, the bio-friendly rolls of paper derived from sugar cane pulp can make one very itchy and scratchy. This was often the case with lady patients who feared they had contracted a nasty pathological ‘headache’. Apply a soothing cream or gel for immediate relief. Use cotton wool with a gentle lubricant if the region is inflamed.

Dryness, contraceptives and hormonal imbalances. Oral contraceptives can cause vaginal inflammation in some people and often deplete your riboflavin (B2) and vitamin B6. Hormonal imbalances can be responsible for occasional bleeding and spotting that may be coming from the womb (the endometrial lining of the uterus) and not the vagina. A gynaecologist should attend to this problem. The body often tries to fight inter-uterine devices (IUD). An alerted immune system causes tissue inflammation, especially in the vaginal area as well as sporadic discharges of blood or heavy bleeding and cramps in the uterus. Ask your practitioner if the device can be removed or a new one can be fitted of a smaller size or different type. Raspberry leaf tea or tablets help to soothe away piercing uterine cramps. The tissue salt MAG PHOS is a good anti-spasmodic and FERRUM PHOS has an anti-inflammatory action. However, like me, you may be intolerant to all types of IUD’S.

Constant dryness of the vulva is due to hormonal deficiencies during and after the menopause when the secretion of natural lubricants diminishes. I was once phoned late at night by my Doctor friend as he was panicking about a patient who was allergic to KY jelly. Fortunately I had found out how to make a natural cellulose gel and it worked wonders. With a pH of 3,5 it was very soothing and I added a little salt. This in turn, enhanced its conductivity when used with ultrasound equipment. It also became a favourite of his for womb scanning. I introduced a variant called Wild Rose. Pink – with a gentle floral fragrance but he did not get the point. “For fun, sex is to enjoy, doctor!” He nodded nervously.

Wear long flowing skirts and loose fitting cotton underwear if you travel long distances. Tight pants were never designed to be kind to the genitals and the seams of jeans and stringy underwear can creep into the folds of the vulva. Sweat, vigorous exercise and dancing makes it worse. Adam and Eve would not have had these problems! One is more prone to infections just prior to menstruation when oestrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest or at menopause when the protective vaginal mucous is not so active or it becomes too alkaline. If the problem persists ask your doctor to help correct these imbalances or find alternatives such as the sweet potato method that do not have adverse side effects. A dry vagina or vulva is not automatically an excuse for hormone replacement therapy. Using the sweet potato naturally raises your progesterone levels. Other herbal tinctures such as red clover and black cohosh are also helpful, according to Dr Marilyn Glenville, author of Natural Alternatives to HRT.

Diseases

Side effects from diseases such as diabetes can give rise to severe vaginal inflammation because high levels of sugar in the urine produce more acidity than usual. Urinary acidity can be reduced with sodium citrate, calcium and magnesium supplements and the tissue salt: NAT PHOS. Diabetes needs to be controlled to reduce the urinary sugar levels. Auto- immune diseases can also cause vaginal inflammation when the immune system is out of control. Lichen sclerosus especially, is distressing and the general treatment with steroid drugs and creams does not solve the problem. Stress can trigger a major outbreak and the skin of the labia, plus the lesions can become extremely inflamed and sensitive. Taking immune boosters such as Echinacea may over stimulate a sensitive immune system especially if a stressed lifestyle and nutritional deficiencies are contributing factors. Hormone levels need to be checked as levels of sex and thyroid hormones may have dropped. Food allergies and nutritional deficiencies also contribute to the severity of lichen sclerosus. Cutting out trigger foods by means of blood type parameters can be helpful and it often saves a lot of time. Anti-inflammatory protocols with Omega 3 supplements, multivitamins and adaptogens are also of benefit. The Budwig combination of cottage cheese and flaxseed oil will help to strengthen the skin and has an immunomodulatory effect.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal complaint in sexually active women between the ages of 15-44. It is not identified as a sexually transmitted disease but somehow an overgrowth of bacteria causes burning, itching, odours and a white discharge of a distressing nature. Antibiotics are generally given but do not always clear up the problem and often destroy the beneficial bacteria we call probiotics. By now we know that we need to eat more fermented foods and take probiotic supplements to improve the outcome.

Having sex with an infected partner increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted organisms that result in vaginal disorders and can disrupt sexual enjoyment for many months or even years. Protect yourself from possible infection by insisting on the use of condoms if you are sexually active and change partners frequently.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a separate problem. They need to be identified and immediate treatment is required as some of the organisms responsible for causing them are very dangerous. They can be transmitted even before you are showing symptoms such as: vaginal burning, rashes, pustules, discharge or abdominal pain. Watch out for unexplained fevers, trembling, fatigue, depression or nausea. If you are not sure, seek professional help. Even if you cannot afford a doctor, go to your local clinic for free treatment and advice if it is available. Your sexual partner may also need attention. Professional advice is available online.

Then, if you still have a headache, take an aspirin!