It may be Christmas, but that doesn't mean that we should avoid any health problems. Here we share the advice on how to treat thrush and cystitis.
Health on Female First
Thrush
Thrush is so common that three in four women will suffer from it at some point. This uncomfortable infection can cause discomfort and around 30 per cent of women get thrush from taking antibiotics. Using douches or having bubble baths can also make thrush more likely as these irritate the vagina
Alternative top tip by Dr Sarah Gray:
“Yogurt will help with the symptoms of vaginal thrush if it applied directly. This can be done by soaking a small tampon in live natural yogurt and inserting for 10 minutes. This will relieve itching and go some way towards boosting the natural defense mechanisms within the vagina. Yogurt will not do much help thrush of the skin creases. These areas are best kept cool clean and dry with adequate airflow. Old fashioned advice to wear loose cotton underwear to help the groin area and open toed sandals for foot thrush still holds true.”
Cystitis
Cystitis is an inflation of the bladder and is usually caused by an infection. If not treated the infection could creep up to your kidneys which will cause a lot of pain. Below are some simple tips to prevent an attack this Christmas.
- Sexual activity is usually the main culprit of cystitis, therefore after you have sex make sure you go to the loo to let all the bacteria out
- Nicotine irritates the bladder so if you’re prone to recurring cystitis, maybe it’s time to quit
- Not drinking enough could cause the infection and drinking plenty of fluid is very important to treat it
- When you’re in the toilet make sure you wipe from front to back
Here are some over the counter treatments you can purchase to help relieve the symptoms:
Canesten’s new product Soft Gel Pessary Combi (Combi RRP is £14.99) is a tear-drop shape gel pessary designed to fit the female shape more naturally and comfortably, it treats thrush quickly and effectively. The new pessary has the same efficacy as the existing version but was designed for easier insertion with no residue and reduce any side-effects. It comes in a combination treatment which includes the external cream has all the benefits of a single pessary with the added benefit of a unique 2% cream to soothe the itch.
Canesten Oasis (RRP £4.89) sachets dissolve in water and contains the active ingredient, sodium citrate which help relieve the symptoms of cystitis. The sodium citrate helps by reducing the amount of alkaline in the urine and helps relieve the painful discomfort of going to the loo. It also fights the infecting bacteria in the bladder by creating an unsuitable environment for them to multiply
Tagged in Health Women's Health