Candidly candida

Candida also loves warmth and moisture. Wear loose cotton underwear, which allows air to circulate. If you regularly use bubble baths, stop. They will both irritate the area and deplete your natural skin defenses against infection. Also no douching or vaginal deodorants and try switching to white, unscented toilet paper. Dyes and perfumes can be irritating to the genital area.

Early signs of vaginal candida can be treated with plain, live Bio yoghurt. Before going to bed, insert smear a few teaspoons of yoghurt around and into the vagina. Repeat this each evening until the symptoms improve. Caught early enough, the friendly bacteria in the yoghurt will multiply and devour the candida.

From the herbal cupboard, calendula cream or tincture will help ease external irritation. For internal use, you can try immune system restoratives such as echinacea or camomile, which appear to be safe to use in pregnancy (check with your doctor, or a pharmacist first, however). The easiest way to take these is as a tincture, two or three times daily, in a little water.

In addition, you might try to persuade your partner to be tested for candida. You can become re-infected through sexual contact, although candida is not classed as a sexually transmitted disease.

Finally, if you have a recurrent candida problem, visit a genito-urinary medicine clinic for a full screen to rule out bacterial vaginosis ? a bacterial imbalance whose symptoms can mimic those of candida. You may also want to consider consulting a qualified nutritionist, herbalist or homeopath who may be able to work with you to support and strengthen your immune system during pregnancy and beyond.

References

Bland J, ed, Medical Application of Clinical Nutrition, New Canaan: Keats, 1983
Campion, K Holisitc Herbal for Mother & Baby, Bloomsbury, 1996
Thomas, P, Natural treatments for candida – what really gets the bugs out?, Proof!, 2000; 4(4): 10-3.
Tiran, D and Mack, S, Complementary therapies for pregnancy & childbirth, Balliere Tindall, 1995