Candida and bacterial vaginosis: the expert's answers to your doubts
Being a woman isn't easy, is it? The intimate sphere of women is particularly delicate and, often, one suffers from gynecological disorders, as feminine as they are unbearable. The important thing, however, is to recognize the cause of the intimate discomfort and act promptly. Is it candida or bacterial vaginosis? And what are the actions to be taken?
To clarify a bit, we asked Dr. Alessandra Graziottin, Director of the Center of Gynecology and Medical Sexology of H. San Raffaele Resnati in Milan, to answer some of the most common questions on the topic that exist. arrive via the forum. Here's the answers:
Question of lightc7:
Dear Prof. Alessandra Graziottin,
after a vaginal swab carried out by my gynecologist the results were positive for the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus which caused me some burning and itching at alternating moments. The gynecologist asked me to call him back when the test results were ready, and he prescribed me an oral antibiotic, namely zimox.
I asked him if the infection could have infected my partner, and he said no.
My partner, however, complained for a couple of days of burning when urinating and slight itching, then nothing more.
My question is whether the infection cannot actually be contagious and whether oral care is enough for me, and nothing local. Unfortunately the gynecologist was visiting and couldn't spend too much time on the phone.
Thank you very much for the attention.
Dear Mrs,
I personally do not use systemic antibiotics for Staphylococcus aureus because I fear more the negative consequences of the antibiotic itself on the intestinal and vaginal ecosystem (microbiota). I prefer to evaluate the pH, which is the degree of vaginal acidity. You can do it too, by purchasing the vaginal pH test at the pharmacy. If the pH is higher than 4.7, I prefer to help the vaginal microbiota regain its balance with an articulated action:
- improve the intestinal situation, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome disorders, with probiotics and other active ingredients;
- lower the vaginal pH, using Lactobacillus plantarum P 17630, or other probiotics, to be inserted into the vagina to restore the microbiota. The presence of lactic acid and glycogen favors the maintenance of an optimal pH, which promotes the growth of friendly microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus, and eliminates or renders potentially pathogenic germs such as Streptococcus harmless.
If the partner has symptoms, it is correct to perform a urine culture examination and an examination of the urethral secretion after prostate massage, in addition to an uroandrological examination.
Question of silviatave:
Good morning doctor,
I often have an intimate itch, which affects the groin area. It is very annoying and more pronounced in the pre-cycle period even though I actually have it almost always.
I started wearing only cotton and white underwear, but nothing has changed.
Can you give me some advice?
Hello, I recommend a dermatological examination to rule out a parasitosis or scleroatrophic lichen, even initial, if the lesion extends into the vulvar area.
Question of green apple:
Hello Dr.,
following a candida episode. However, after a swab, no fungus was found, only an abnormally high number of leukocytes. How can I proceed?
Good evening, check the vaginal pH. You can do it too, by purchasing the vaginal pH test at the pharmacy. If the pH is higher than 4.7, I prefer to help the vaginal microbiota regain its balance with an articulated action:
- improve the intestinal situation, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome disorders, with probiotics and other active ingredients;
- lower the vaginal pH, using Lactobacillus plantarum P 17630, or other probiotics, to be inserted into the vagina to restore the microbiota. The presence of lactic acid and glycogen favors the maintenance of an optimal pH, which promotes the growth of friendly microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus, and eliminates or renders potentially pathogenic germs harmless.
- Boric acid tablets to insert into the vagina can help. Talk to your gynecologist.
- follow a yeast-free diet (bread, pizza, biscuits etc), and low in sugars (such as glucose and sucrose)
Question of vanesij:
Good morning Doctor,
it happened to me more than once the recurrence of candida, even in mild forms, with all the annoying accompanying symptoms. Would you also have some advice from a food point of view, given that many have told me that the recurrence of the problem may also depend on a question of bacterial flora and nutrition?
A thousand thanks
Good evening, follow a diet:
- yeast-free (bread, pizza, biscuits, crackers, etc.)
- low in sugars (such as glucose and sucrose)
- gluten-free for three months, because even a hypersensitivity to gluten ("gluten sensitivity"), even without being or becoming a true celiac disease, can increase the vulnerability to Candida
Question of babeber
Dear Prof. Alessandra Graziottin,
I usually have white discharge before my period, I don't know how to distinguish between Candida and Vaginosis and I don't even know what the difference is between the two pathologies.
Do you recommend that I go to a doctor? What methods could I adopt to combat the problem? Are there any foods to avoid?
Thank you very much for helping
Good evening, check the vaginal pH. You can do it too, by purchasing the vaginal pH test at the pharmacy. If the pH is higher than 4.7 I prefer to help the vaginal microbiota regain its balance with an articulated action:
- improve the intestinal situation, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome disorders, with probiotics and other active ingredients;
- lower the vaginal pH, using Lactobacillus plantarum P 17630, or other probiotics, to be inserted into the vagina to restore the microbiota. The presence of lactic acid and glycogen favors the maintenance of an optimal pH, which promotes the growth of friendly microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus, and eliminates or renders potentially pathogenic germs harmless.
- Boric acid tablets to insert into the vagina can help. Talk to your gynecologist.
- follow a yeast-free diet (bread, pizza, biscuits etc), and low in sugars (such as glucose and sucrose)
In the case of relapsing candida, I also always evaluate the tone of the "levator ani" muscle surrounding the vagina: when "hypertonic", ie excessively contracted, it narrows the vaginal entrance and facilitates microabrasions in the event of intercourse. These then become inflamed causing pain and burning. Relaxing the muscle with appropriate physiotherapy can give very positive results even on the Candida front! Best wishes!
Question of blumun4:
Dear Doctor,
I suffered from candidiasis in the past and I cured it with vaginal tablets, frequent rinsing and using only 100% cotton underwear.
Unfortunately, however, after a couple of weeks of relief, it always comes back in a more aggressive way. I repeat the cure, it passes for a while and then comes back again.
What can I do? A thousand thanks!
Good evening, check the vaginal pH. You can do it too, by purchasing the vaginal pH test at the pharmacy. If the pH is higher than 4.7 I prefer to help the vaginal microbiota regain its balance with an articulated action:
- improve the intestinal situation, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome disorders, with probiotics and other active ingredients;
- lower the vaginal pH, using Lactobacillus plantarum P 17630, or other probiotics, to be inserted into the vagina to restore the microbiota. The presence of lactic acid and glycogen favors the maintenance of an optimal pH, which promotes the growth of friendly microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus, and eliminates or renders potentially pathogenic germs harmless.
- Boric acid tablets to insert into the vagina can help. Talk to your gynecologist.
- follow a yeast-free diet (bread, pizza, biscuits etc), and low in sugars (such as glucose and sucrose)
In the case of relapsing candida, I also always evaluate the tone of the "levator ani" muscle surrounding the vagina: when "hypertonic", ie excessively contracted, it narrows the vaginal entrance and facilitates microabrasions in the event of intercourse. These then become inflamed causing pain and burning. Relaxing the muscle with appropriate physiotherapy can give very positive results even on the Candida front! Best wishes!
Question of crispytruelove:
Good evening Prof. Graziottin,
I have long felt burning and itching, with whitish discharge and discomfort in the ovaries.
My gynecologist advised me to do some follow-up tests to rule out urinary tract infections.
Not having given me any temporary remedies, is there anything you suggest I take to at least relieve the burning and itching?
A thousand thanks
Good evening, check the vaginal pH. You can do it too, by purchasing the vaginal pH test at the pharmacy. If the pH is higher than 4.7 I prefer to help the vaginal microbiota regain its balance with an articulated action:
- improve the intestinal situation, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome disorders, with probiotics and other active ingredients;
- lower the vaginal pH, using Lactobacillus plantarum P 17630, or other probiotics, to be inserted into the vagina to restore the microbiota. The presence of lactic acid and glycogen favors the maintenance of an optimal pH, which promotes the growth of friendly microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus, and eliminates or renders potentially pathogenic germs harmless.
- Boric acid tablets to insert into the vagina can help. Talk to your gynecologist.
- follow a yeast-free diet (bread, pizza, biscuits etc), and low in sugars (such as glucose and sucrose)
- if the burning, as well as in the vagina, is also felt after urination, you can use dextro-mannose sachets, twice a day, by mouth, to reduce the aggressiveness of Escherichia coli and 2 cranberry tablets, the night before to sleep.
