3 Common Infections Plaguing Women: Tips On Overcoming Them

As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, apart from acknowledging the remarkable achievements and contributions of women all around the globe, it is also a time to reflect on the importance of prioritising women’s health and well-being. Women often find themselves juggling multiple roles that taking care of their health can sometimes take a back seat. 

As the concept of “self-care” rapidly becomes a trending “need”, particularly among women, it is crucial to acknowledge women’s health issues like urinary tract and vaginal health as essential priorities for every woman. 

Did you know…

• 1 in 2 women will have a UTI in their life¹;
• 75% of women will have at least 1 yeast infection in their life²;
• Bacterial vaginosis affects 23-29% of women around the globe³.

We understand that this topic might be a tad bit sensitive for some of you ladies to discuss with your friends or doctor, but do know that vaginal infections are common and easily treatable, so don’t be shy, let’s talk about it! This International Women’s Day,  we’re here to help you navigate the 3 common infections affecting women and how you can overcome them appropriately. 

Common Infection #1: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happens when the urinary tract gets infected by bacteria, usually from the skin or rectum.  These infections can target various sections of the urinary tract, with bladder infections (cystitis) being the most common type.^4,5

Symptoms of UTIs may include^4,5:

• Pain or burning sensation when peeing
• Sudden urge to urinate, or more urgently than usual
• Feeling the need to urinate even with an empty bladder
• Bloody urine
• Pressure or cramping in the groin, lower abdomen or pain in the back, under the ribs

Treatment for UTIs

If you experience any of the above, immediately see your healthcare provider for further assessment. If the doctor diagnoses you with UTI, he/she would usually prescribe you with a short course of antibiotics and painkillers, as well as offer you self-care advice to prevent further infections.⁴ 

Common Infection #2: Yeast Infection

A vaginal yeast infection, a.k.a vaginal candidiasis is classified as a fungal infection that causes itching and irritation in the vulva (the tissues at the outer part of the vagina) and causes changes to your vaginal discharge. Normally, when candida (a yeast type naturally occurring in your body) maintains a balanced presence in your body, no issues arise. However, an imbalance can lead to rapid yeast overgrowth, resulting in a yeast infection.² According to a Mayo Clinic article, 3 out of 4 women are infected with a yeast infection at some point in their lifetime, and many women experience it at least twice.⁶ 

Symptoms of a Vaginal Yeast Infection^2,6

• Itchy or burning sensation in the vagina and vulva
• Thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge
• Vaginal and/or vulva redness and swelling
• Burning sensation when urinating and sexual intercourse

Treatment for a Vaginal Yeast Infection

Never leave a vaginal yeast infection untreated. Although there are over-the-counter medications to treat vaginal yeast infections, it’s always best to seek medical attention. Remember to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions when taking your prescribed medication so you can heal without recurring infections. 

You can also reduce the risk of a vaginal yeast infection by wearing breathable, cotton underwear that is not too tight. Try to also avoid:

• Douching - this actually removes the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infections
• Unnecessary antibiotics
• Wearing wet/damp clothings for a long period, such as swimsuits and workout attires

Common Infection #3: Bacterial Infection

Bacterial infection of the vagina is also known as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and happens when natural bacteria levels are out of balance. A healthy vagina is maintained by balanced bacteria levels, but an overgrowth of certain bacteria can lead to BV.⁷

Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis^7,8

• Burning sensation when urinating
• Pain, itching and burning sensation in the vagina
• Foul vaginal odour, or fish-like, especially after sexual intercourse
• Thin vaginal discharge, either grey, white or green in colour

Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis

If you think you have contracted bacterial vaginosis, do seek immediate medical advice. Your healthcare provider will examine your vaginal discharge and get a sample of your vaginal discharge to check for the presence of BV. BV is usually treated with a course of antibiotics and other necessary medications, based on your condition. 

How To Improve and Maintain Good Vaginal Health 

Now that we have covered the 3 most common infections affecting women, we understand that prioritising vaginal health is imperative for every woman. 

So, what IS a healthy vagina?

As we are all aware, there are good and bad bacteria. A vagina is healthy when there is a balance between good and bad bacteria. The good or beneficial bacteria in the vagina is called lactobacilli and it actually prevents the rapid growth of bad bacteria or other organisms that cause infections. Lactobacilli also helps maintain the vagina’s naturally slightly acidic environment.^9,10 

Getting Sufficient Beneficial Bacteria for Optimal Vaginal Health 

As mentioned earlier, one of the common risk factors of these infections is the lack of lactobacilli bacteria or imbalanced bacteria levels in the vagina. So, how do we obtain sufficient beneficial bacteria, in this case, lactobacilli to achieve a healthy balance in our vaginal microbiome?

Beneficial bacteria are widely known as probiotics, which are living microorganisms believed to offer health advantages.¹¹ Did you know there is a specially formulated probiotic supplement tailored specifically for women’s health needs? There’s a wide range of brands in the market, but we’ve nailed down one that is loved by women all around the globe…

Life-Space Urogen Probiotics for Women

Why you should try it:

• Contains 5 strains of probiotics
• Powered with 11 billion CFU live bacteria per capsule
• Helps improve intestinal beneficial flora
• Maintains & supports vagina’s healthy microflora
• Helps reduce occurrence of medically diagnosed cystitis
• Maintains & supports urinary tract health (cranberry extract)

Pay attention to your body. If you experience these signs, it’s a wake-up call for you to supplement your daily diet with the right probiotics for optimal vaginal health.

Lactobacillus is one of the two most common bacterias that is known to be beneficial probiotics.⁷ 

Of course you can consume probiotics through a variety foods such as yoghurt, sourdough, kefir, kimchi, miso, tempeh and many more, but if you would like a convenient option to ease your daily nutritional intake, we strongly recommend Life-Space Urogen Probiotics for Women because:

• No refrigeration required 
• Live bacteria guaranteed (freeze-drying tech ensures probiotic remains dormant before consumption)
• No added preservatives or artificial colours
• Naturally sourced probiotics
• Vegetarian-friendly
• No added dairy, gluten or egg

Plus, Life-Space Probiotics are trusted by millions of Australians and also families around the world. Its Australian manufacturing facilities at BioCarna use cutting edge technologies and equipment in order to provide high quality, rigorously tested probiotics to their global customers.

Life-Space is Australia's No.1 Probiotic Brand* with 20 years of expertise in probiotics, designed for every stage of life. 

So, wait no more, ladies! Take control of your vaginal health with Life-Space Urogen Probiotic for Women today. 

Shop now at Life-Space Probiotics’ official Shopee page.

REFERENCES:

1. Urinary Tract Infections https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9135-urinary-tract-infections 
2. Vaginal Yeast Infection: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5019-vaginal-yeast-infection
3. Bacterial Vaginosis https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/bacterial-vaginosis
4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) | NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/#:~:text=Urinary%20tract%20infections%20(UTIs)%20are,kidneys%20and%20cause%20an%20infection
5. Urinary Tract Infection | Antibiotic Use | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html
6. Yeast Infection (Vaginal): Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20378999
7. Bacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279#:~:text=Bacterial%20vaginosis%20(BV)%20can%20cause,it%20can%20lead%20to%20BV%20
8. STD Facts: Bacterial Vaginosis https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm
9. Vaginal Health https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/vaginalhealth/ 
10. Maintaining Vaginal Health https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/Maintaining-Vaginal-Health.pdf 
11. Probiotics: What They Are, Benefits and Side Effects https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14598-probiotics