If you find you’re clocking more time than usual in vagina-related vent seshes with your girlfriends and are nearing texting status with your gynae, you’re not alone. The most common diagnoses causing agonising symptoms below the belt – that is, vaginitis infections – are creeping up across the board. Oh, and they’re coming back again and again... And again.
“The trifecta of conditions under this umbrella are bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections and trichomoniasis – and docs are seeing a rise in all three,” says gynaecologist Dr Natasha Johnson.
The scary culprit behind the increase: drug-resistant strains of the infection-causing bugs are becoming more prevalent. Any time you use antimicrobial meds (i.e. antibiotics), there’s a chance that some of the microbes will develop defences against the drug and not die (the opposite of what you want). The tough little buggers then multiply and spread. This means the prescriptions we’ve relied on for years are no longer as effective, which in turn means the infections take longer to treat and symptoms are more likely to return. (Up to 58 percent of women treated for bacterial vaginosis experienced it again within a year, per one study.)
Oof, right? Thankfully, all three issues are still treatable – and with this guide, you’ll be able to handle each one so it doesn’t come back to haunt you.
BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2020-Ausgabe von Women's Health South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2020-Ausgabe von Women's Health South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Irreconcilable Differences?
You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.
Hot And Bothered
Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.
Self-esteem under the microscope
The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.
the reset
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER
Mind Over Muscle
Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.
How To Be Decisive
You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.
Build A Strong Base
You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.
