There’s no shame in talking about your vaginal health.
For some it may be a squeamish or awkward topic, but for those of us who have them, your vagina can be an important indicator of health.
If you’re dealing with vaginal health concerns, count on Annex Naturopathic for help. Our team of women-led naturopathic doctors will have a frank and honest conversation with you, in a relaxing, non-judgmental environment.
From there, we’ll put together a plan for you designed to address your concerns in a way that fits your lifestyle.
Naturopathic Solutions For Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is a type of imbalance of your vagina’s microflora. Its most obvious symptoms are itching, burning during urination, and a fishy odour, or discharge, usually grey or white. However, you may have bacterial vaginosis without showing any symptoms.
It comes about as a result of an overgrowth of the natural bacteria of your vagina. You’re most at risk during reproductive age, but it can affect you at any age. A healthy vagina ought to have a pH balance of between 3.8 and 4.5, which is mildly acidic.
If yours is above that, it may create a more fertile area for the bacteria involved in BV to grow.
The conventional treatment for bacterial vaginosis is often antibiotics. This has a high degree of success, but it also has a high rate of recurrence. If you’re dealing with recurrent bacterial vaginosis, despite undergoing medical treatment, it may be time to consider a naturopathic approach.
At Annex Naturopathic, our approach is to understand bacterial vaginosis not as an isolated gynecological issue, but as a broader indication of what’s happening with your body.
Naturopathic medicine takes a whole body approach to health, which means that if you’re suffering from recurrent bacterial vaginosis, it’s likely a signal there’s a deeper issue at play.
Only by addressing the root cause of your issue can we work to make sure your BV woes have gone away for good.
Naturopathic Treatments For Chronic Yeast Infections
A yeast infection is a fungal infection where the beneficial bacteria and the yeast in your vagina fall out of balance. Most experience at least one of these at some point in their life, though if you’re dealing with them on a recurring basis, contact Annex Naturopathic for help.
Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
If you’re experiencing any of the following, you likely have a yeast infection:
- A burning sensation in the vagina, especially during sex
- Itchiness or vaginal irritation
- Vaginal redness or swelling
- Thick white vaginal discharge
Risk Factors For Yeast Infections
Anybody with a vagina is at risk of developing a yeast infection. However, there are some factors that can put you at greater risk. In particular, you may be at greater risk of developing a yeast infection if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have a compromised immune system (from high stress or corticosteroid therapy)
- Have a poorly controlled diabetic condition
- Have recently used antibiotics
- Are taking oral contraceptives
When Is It A Problem ?
Although some yeast infections may resolve on their own or can be treated with various over-the-counter antifungal products the chance of recurrence is high if underlying issues are not resolved. If your yeast infections are recurring, or aren’t clearing up from the typical treatment, it’s time to call Annex Naturopathic.
The vagina needs a healthy mircroflora that is robust in lactobacllus acidophilus, when the microbial balance is off, the yeast strain candida albicans can proliferate. There are several different possible causes for this, including dietary influences, menstruation, antibiotics, douching, or unprotected sex.
Whatever it is that’s causing your recurrent yeast infections, count on the naturopathic doctors at Annex Naturopathic to work to discover the root cause. From there, they’ll put together a treatment plan designed to get you feeling fresh once again.
Naturopathic Solutions For Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. It’s there to keep your vagina clean and moist, and to help prevent infections.
It’s also perfectly normal for your vaginal discharge to change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. You may see variances in colour, texture, and amount.
However, if your vaginal discharge is gray or green, is foamy, or lumpy, with a cottage cheese-like texture, it could be a sign of a vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection.
If you’re experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge, it can be an embarrassing or uncomfortable conversation, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here at Annex Naturopathic, our women-led team of naturopathic doctors will work with you to discover the root cause of your vaginal discharge, and build you a treatment plan designed to address the root cause.
Naturopathic Solutions For Vaginal Dryness
A healthy vagina remains moist through a thin layer of clear fluid – the vaginal discharge we talked about above, produced by your cervix. This fluid is maintained by the estrogen levels within your body.
However, if your estrogen levels drop, for whatever reason, you may experience a decrease in moisture, or, conversely, an increase in dryness. As a result, menopause can often lead to vaginal dryness.
While vaginal dryness is a minor issue, it can be uncomfortable and impact your sex life.
If you’re dealing with vaginal dryness, the naturopathic doctors at Annex Naturopathic are here to help. Call us today to book a consultation, and we’ll work to get to the bottom of what’s causing your vaginal dryness.
From there, we’ll provide you with a treatment plan designed to get you feeling great once again.
Naturopathic Solutions For Pain During Sex (Dyspareunia)
Do you experience pain before, during, or after sex? If so, you’re not alone.
In fact, according to statistics published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, approximately 15% of females experience dyspareunia to some degree.
Sex should be an enjoyable event, but for too many women, it’s the opposite. This can be highly distressing, causing issues with intimacy, self-image, and, of course, your sex life.
There are a wide variety of causes of dyspareunia, including vaginal dryness, tension in the musculature of the pelvic floor, inflammation, or infection, vaginismus, a congenital abnormality, certain illnesses, and psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, fears, or a history of injury or trauma to the tissue.
Whatever it is that’s causing your dyspareunia, the naturopathic doctors at Annex Naturopathic can help. Contact us today to book an appointment and find out more.
Contact Annex Naturopathic
Do you have vaginal woes? Are things not working quite the way you’d like them to?
If so, Annex Naturopathic can help.
Contact us today to book an appointment with a member of our women-led team of naturopaths.
If you’re new to naturopathic medicine, or not sure if Annex Naturopathic is right for you, contact us to book a FREE 15-minute consultation. You’ll have a chance to sit down with the naturopath of your choice at our comfortable, relaxing clinic.
You’ll get all your questions answered, your concerns addressed, and you’ll walk away with a better understanding of how naturopathic medicine can help you.
Book an appointment with an experienced naturopathic doctor at Annex Naturopathic today!
