Dealing with Vaginal Infections

Disclaimer.  I am not a licensed health practitioner.  This is just another post on knowledge and understanding you might wish to acquire in advance of a disaster in case no higher care is available.  As long as our society is functioning, you should leave anything more substantial than applying a Band-Aid to the professionals.  No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician.  Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care. 

Vaginal infections aren't covered all that well in off-grid medicine references.  Maybe it's because they're so common that women don't see their doctors for them much due to the many treatment options available over-the-counter.  However, they are something all women should be prepared to deal with.  Women who have already had vaginal infections know what they feel like and what to do.  For those who haven't yet experienced the misfortune, here's a little info:

Signs and symptoms of a vaginal infection include:

• Burning or itching sensation in the vagina or surrounding tissues
• Burning during urination or intercourse
• Pain, rash, blisters, or soreness around the vagina
• Vaginal discharge (appearance varies depending on the type of infection)

Vaginal infections can be bacterial, protozoal, or fungal in nature, with most being fungal.  Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, a protozoal infection, are both treated with the antibiotic/antiprotozoal metronidazole.[1]  Both of these infections tend to be accompanied by a foul vaginal discharge.[2]

Fungal vaginal yeast infections are an entirely different animal and the focus of today's post.  Fungal yeast infections do not cause any lasting damage.  There is no chance of sterility or infertility.  However, they are extremely uncomfortable.  While any woman can develop a fungal vaginal infection, the following factors increase the risk:

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Illness
• Antibiotic use
• Birth control pills
• Hormonal imbalances
• Eating sugary foods
• Stress
• Lack of sleep[3]

Differentiating between the various vaginal discharges can help determine the best treatment approach.

• Trichomoniasis.  The discharge is thin, foamy, greenish-yellow or white, foul-smelling, and accompanied by itching.  The patient may also experience a burning sensation with urination.  The discharge may be bloody.[4]
• Yeast infection (Candida).  The white discharge looks like cottage cheese or buttermilk and smells like mold, mildew, or baking bread.  It is accompanied by severe itching/burning and is particularly common among women who are pregnant, diabetic, taking antibiotics or birth control pills, or otherwise sick.[5]
• Bacterial or protozoal infection.  The thick, milky discharge smells rancid.[6]
• Serious infection or cancer.  The watery brown or gray discharge is streaked with blood, has a foul odor, and is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.  If there is fever, physicians recommend a combination of amoxicillin and tetracycline.  Seek immediate medical attention.[7]

Treatments
Conventional treatments for these types of infections include OTC creams and suppositories like Gyne-Lotrimin and Monistat.  Treatment courses may last from one to seven days depending on the product purchased.  Mild infections clear up more quickly than moderate or severe ones, which can take two or more weeks to resolve.  Unfortunately, creams have a pretty short shelf life, so they're difficult to stock up on. 

Even with treatment, re-infection is common.  Resistant infections are frequently treated with Diflucan (fluconazole), 150 mg orally, taken once.  The dose is repeated in three days if the symptoms haven't resolved by then.  Diflucan is available over-the-counter in Canada and by prescription only in the US.  Because it is sold in tablets, it has a long shelf life.  And because it is small and only taken once, and inexpensive, it is a more practical choice than the creams.

Alternative treatments include the following:

• Vinegar and water douche.  One to two tablespoons of vinegar (or lemon juice) in 1 quart of water once per day.[8]
• Gentian violet, which is available over the counter in drug stores, usually works in a single topical application to the vagina and surrounding tissues.  Dissolve 1 teaspoon of gentian violet in 1 pint of water.  It will permanently stain any clothing it comes in contact with.[9]
• Eating yogurt plain or with honey will relieve burning and eliminate the infection in about two weeks.
• A garlic clove wrapped in gauze and inserted into the vagina (for no more than 8 hours) is effective for bacterial vaginosis.[10] 
• A few drops of lavender or tea tree oil in a sitz bath of warm water will relieve the itching.[11]
• Japanese barberry,[12] uva ursi, hops, and fir have all demonstrated efficacy in treating vaginal fungal infections. 

To reduce the risk of vaginal infections, do the following:

• Keep clean.  Bathe daily if possible.
• Wash underwear very well.  Normal laundry detergent will not kill the yeast, which can live on clothing for a few weeks.  
• Urinate after intercourse.
• Always wipe the bottom from front to back after each bowel movement.

References:
[1] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 186.
[2] Ibid.
[3] David Werner, Where There Is No Doctor, 242.
[4] Ibid, 241.
[5] Ibid, 242.
[6] Ibid, 242.
[7] Ibid, 242.
[8] The Survival Medicine Handbook, 186.
[9] Cynthia Koelker, Armageddon Medicine, 189.
[10] The Survival Medicine Handbook, 186.
[11] The Survival Medicine Handbook, 186.
[12] Stephen Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 164.

18 october 2022