Female-Specific Infections
Because of their anatomy, women are prone to a few infections that seldom, if ever, strike men. Women also can blame their susceptibility to certain infections on their hormones.
UTIs
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are about fifty times more common in women than in men, mostly because a woman has a shorter urethra (the tube that carries urine from the body), meaning bacteria have a shorter distance to travel in order to establish themselves in the bladder. Sexual activity — especially if you're using a diaphragm or spermicide — as well as douching, taking long baths, or holding urine for long periods of time all can increase your risk of UTIs.
If you think you've got a UTI, schedule a visit to the doctor right away. Conventional treatment almost always includes antibiotics, such as trime-thoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
The most common type of UTI is cystitis, which affects the lower urinary tract. Symptoms include increased urinary frequency, urgency (the desire to urinate), and painful urination. Infections of the upper urinary tract, called pyelonephritis, are much more serious because they involve the kidney. Symptoms can include chills, fever, nausea, and internal pain.
Vaginal Infections
Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by watery vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, sometimes accompanied by burning, itching, or redness. It's caused by an overgrowth of bacteria, which can be aided by wearing tight, nonbreathable clothing, douching, and using “feminine deodorant” sprays. Conventional treatment typically involves antibiotics like metronidazole (Flagyl).
A vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is caused by an overgrowth of an organism called Candida albicans. Candida infections show up in other parts of the body, as well: Thrush (which affects the mouth and throat), jock itch, and athlete's foot are examples. Most of the time, Candida yeasts live in body without any problem but can trigger symptoms if their numbers get out of control.
Yeast infections are characterized by sticky white or yellowish discharge, burning, and itching. They're fairly common — nearly 75 percent of adult women will have at least one episode in her lifetime — but occur more frequently and more severely in people with weakened immune systems.
Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which kill off the so-called “good” bacteria that keep yeast under control, has been implicated in candidiasis, as have corticosteroid drugs and high-sugar diets.
Conventional medicine treats candidiasis with antifungal drugs, including suppositories and topical creams like miconazole (Monistat) and single-dose oral medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan).
Herbal Alternatives
UTIs can be treated with the following herbs:
•Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) |
Cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants and one of the best-known natural remedies for urinary tract infections. Lab tests show that it prevents bacteria from adhering to the tissues in the urinary tract. Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) juice and extract contain similar chemicals. |
•Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) |
Research shows that a combination of dandelion and uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uvaursi, Arbutus uvaursi) can reduce the incidence of UTIs. |
•Juniper (Juniperus communis) |
Juniper extracts are antibacterial and stimulate the flow of urine. Juniper berries were a standard treatment for UTIs for several Native American tribes. |
Herbal remedies for bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis include:
• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) |
This classic immune-boosting herb can help pharmaceuticals do their job even better. Recent research has shown that echinacea extracts can boost the effectiveness of antifungal drugs in treating candidiasis. |
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) |
This herb is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal and can be taken orally or used topically to fight bacterial vaginitis or candidiasis. Goldenseal's infection-fighting powers have been attributed in large part to the chemical berberine, which is also plentiful in barberry (Berberis vulgaris). |
• Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) |
Known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, this Australian import has been shown in several studies to eradicate both the bacteria and the yeast cells responsible for vaginal infections when applied topically or used as a douche. |
The ready availability of OTC antifungal remedies has made it much easier for women to treat vaginal candidiasis themselves, but these medications are often misused. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as two-thirds of the OTC drugs sold to treat vaginal candidiasis were used by women who didn't actually have a Candida infection, a habit that can lead to the development of drug-resistant infections.
