In about half of the women affected by vaginal mycosis, the infection recurs sooner or later. About five percent of all women even suffer from vaginal fungal infections more than 4 times a year. What can be done to prevent frequent recurrences?
The typical fungal strains responsible for infections can also be detected in a healthy vaginal environment. Only when the sensitive vaginal flora becomes imbalanced do fungi get the chance to spread unhindered and cause the unpleasant symptoms such as itching and burning.
Causes of fungal infection
One of the reasons why vaginal fungal infection is still a taboo subject is the fact that for a long time it was associated with a lack of intimate hygiene. Nowadays, it is often the other way around: many women "over-care" their intimate area, which upsets the vaginal environment and consequently makes it more susceptible to infection. Other common causes of vaginal fungal infection are:
- General weakening of the immune system (e.g. due to other diseases, infections, stress, etc.)
- Taking antibiotics
- Hormonal factors: e.g. accumulation in the 2nd half of the menstrual cycle (premenstrual) and during pregnancy.
- sexual activity
Prevention: ways to prevent
If you are prone to vaginal fungal infections, you should pay attention to some rules for prevention. These include, above all, proper cleaning of the vulva and vagina. The most important point: the vagina is a self-cleaning organ, so the vaginal canal does not have to and should not be cleaned or even treated with rinsing solutions. The vulva can be washed with lukewarm water, or with special, perfume-free, pH-neutral wash gels
Other tips for the prevention of fungal infections:
- Be sure to avoid intimate deodorants, vaginal douches (unless prescribed by a doctor) and the like.
- Go for air-permeable underwear (e.g. made of cotton) and panty liners,
- change wet bath washer ash, so as not to provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
- Make sure to always wipe from front to back when going to the toilet
- Strengthen your defenses with a healthy diet and exercise in the fresh air, and focus on active stress reduction. A strong immune system can keep the spread of fungi at bay.
- Fungal infections are generally not transmitted through sexual intercourse (only in the case of a symptomatic partner), but sexual intercourse in itself has a favorable effect on a fungal infection due to the mechanical stress on the mucous membrane and ingredients of the seminal fluid. Co-treatment of an asymptomatic partner does not help. However, pay attention to any symptoms in the sexual partner to avoid the "ping-pong effect".
