Say what you want about the internet, but from a millennial’s perspective that has seen the technological revolution gain momentum over my lifetime, what it has opened up, is the discussion surrounding taboo topics. Topics such as intimate health for instance. No longer do women (and men) have to suffer in silence. We can now read up about any form of health issue at the click of a button.

Once upon a time unless you were talking about a bird, Thrush was a topic that was skipped over and BV was something that was swept under the carpet! Now we’re more open about The Naked Truth and it appears that for good intimate health, we too need to have good healthy discussions about intimate health.

So let’s discuss the top 3 most common issues when it comes to intimate health.

Thrush

What is it?

This is one of the most common vaginal issues women face, in fact, 75% of women will experience Thrush at least once in their lifetime! This yeast infection is a type of vaginitis (or inflammation of your vagina if you’re not down with the doctor’s lingo).

Did you know both fungus and bacteria naturally live in your vagina? However, when the fungus Candida albicans increases, this can cause Thrush. Candida albicans may increase when your immune system is weak or when good bacteria (known as lactobacilli) isn’t able to keep the fungus under control. Good news is, it is easily treatable.

Treatment is relatively straight forward. To treat the infection you can use an internal product such as an oral pill, soft gel pessary, pessary or internal cream that contains the active ingredients either clotrimazole or fluconazole. All of the products treat the infection, it’s just down to personal preference which treatment option you use.

How to avoid Thrush

• Try to avoid using deodorants and/or perfumed products in and around your intimate area
• Keep stress to a minimum and maintain a healthy lifestyle, doing so will keep your immune system strong
• Avoid high-sugar foods
• If you are taking antibiotics, consult your doctor before taking any Thrush treatments
• Do change your tampons or pads frequently
• Ensure you wipe from front to back after going to the toilet
• Always change your underwear after swimming and working out
• Avoid very hot baths

If you’re looking for more information on Symptoms and Treatment they can be found on the Canesten website.

Cystitis

What is it?

The medical name given to an inflammation of the bladder is known as Cystitis. It, unfortunately, affects up to 40% of women at one point or another in their lifetimes. It is the feeling that you need to urinate more often whilst suffering from uncomfortable or even painful urination. These are two of the main symptoms that indicate you may be suffering from Cystitis, however, a low fever and pains in your and abdomen can also indicate a problem.

Usually, Cystitis is treated with a course of antibiotics prescribed by the Doctor, and whilst waiting for the antibiotics to start working their magic, you can take Cystitis Relief which will help to alleviate the pain somewhat.

How to avoid Cystitis

• Good hygiene helps to prevent bacteria from travelling up the urethra and into the bladder, which can help prevent cystitis.
• Change your tampons or pads frequently
• Wash your vagina with warm water and gentle products
• Refreshing Mousse
• Ensure you wipe from front to back after going to the toilet

If you’re having sex, follow these precautions to help prevent cystitis from recurring:

• Empty your bladder fully after sex
• Avoid having sex until your cystitis clears up
• Consider changing contraceptives if you use a diaphragm

All information on Symptoms and Treatment can be found on the Canesten website.

What next?

Now that we have a greater understanding of what the main intimate health issues are and how we can attempt to avoid them here’s a quick recap of what you need to know.

BV is often mistaken for Thrush by many women, however as we’ve learnt these are two different infections with very different symptoms. BV and Thrush’s treatments are different, it’s extremely important to know which infection you have so that you are able to use the correct treatment. On some occasions, if the incorrect treatment is used, the symptoms can often worsen. You can seek help from your doctor or use a self-test kit.

Thrush, BV and Cystitis are extremely common (and all easily treated), with there being plenty of information online about not only the symptoms but also the treatments available. Canesten being a specialist in intimate health treatments offers a huge amount of information and solutions to treat intimate health issues.

Although there is a lot of information readily available for both men and women’s intimate health, many people still don’t know enough about their own bodies. Work out what’s normal and what’s abnormal for your own body, remembering we’re all different. If you’re struggling to decide what is normal, then why not read up more about Thrush, BV and Cystitis available online.

The three main things to take away from this to keep your intimate areas in working order are;

• Ensure you keep and maintain a clean intimate area, washing with unperfumed soaps and washing detergents
• If you’re swimming or working out, do make sure that you always change your underwear straight after.
• A healthier and stress-free lifestyle will help to keep your intimate area in good working order

Have you learnt anything else that you didn’t already know? Drop a comment below and let me know.

Canesten Thrush Pessary, Soft Gel Pessary, Internal Cream contain clotrimazole. Canesten Thrush Oral Capsule contains Fluconazole. CanesOasis Cystitis Relief Granules for Oral Solution contains Sodium Citrate. Always read the label