The Tripod Cause of Yeast Infections: Birth Control, Vibrator Use and Antibiotics

She is troubled by recurring yeast infections caused by many of the things we use in day-to-day living: birth control pills, a vibrator and antibiotics. Fearful of what intercourse may one day bring, she wants assurance that yeast infections are not all the future holds.

Case #: 1606

Concern：

I get yeast infections very easily from antibiotics, my birth control and vibrator use. Will I run into this problem when I begin to have intercourse? Will I get a yeast infection each time I have sex?

Discussion：

Vaginal infection, also known as vaginitis, is commonly caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. Although yeast is not the only cause of vaginitis, its symptoms are too distinct to overlook: itching in and around the vagina, thick discharge and a swollen vulva. Finding the cause of these infections will help prevent them. In your case, a multitude of factors need to be examined: birth control, vibrator use and antibiotics.

Hormone Production, Birth Control and Yeast Infections

One of the most important indicators of yeast infections is the presence of prostaglandins in the female body. Regarded as essential fatty acids, prostaglandins resemble hormones but are made in the location where they are needed. The uterus is a common spot for prostaglandin production.

Prostaglandins perform many functions in the body, including muscle contraction and blood vessel expansion. Interestingly, the high presence of these chemicals has also been linked to recurring yeast infections. Each woman produces prostaglandins differently so that you may have a higher number than your mother or best friend. This helps explain why some women are more susceptible to yeast infections than others.

Birth control also influences hormone levels, which explains why it causes yeast infections. Although oral contraceptives reduce the number of inflammatory prostaglandins in the body, they do not affect those of an anti-inflammatory nature. This means high numbers of prostaglandins can still contribute to yeast overgrowth. In addition, birth control disrupts the body’s natural levels of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen helps minimize the number of yeast colonies in the vagina – when this hormone becomes deficient, yeast grows prolifically and induces infection.

The Importance of Hygiene with Regular Vibrator Use

While a vibrator itself does not cause yeast overgrowth, its regular use can certainly case infection. The first factor to consider is the way in which a foreign object – in this case, a sex toy – changes the vaginal environment. Sex toys are made of chemicals that disrupt the vagina’s pH levels and thus allow yeast to rapidly grow.

Hygiene is another consideration with vibrator use. Toys not properly cleaned provide the perfect environment for bacteria to flourish. When introduced to the vagina, those bacteria can promote yeast infections. It is thus important to clean vibrators and dildos before and after each use. The vagina must also be similarly cleaned, but not with sweet-smelling and chemical-laden douches. All you really need is warm water and gentle soap.

Antibiotics Suppress Healthy Immune Functions

The final piece to your yeast infection puzzle is antibiotic use. Prescription drugs suppress healthy immune functions and also kill good and bad bacteria. This spells immediate trouble for the vagina – an organ that relies on healthy bacteria colonies to manage those that are unhealthy. The death of both means “bad” bacteria and fungi can grow without determent. You might avoid this by eating probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, to increase the number of healthy bacteria in your body.

Help for Your Vagina

In today’s world, it’s hard to avoid every factor that contributes to illness. We understand this and suggest you take an infection relief formula designed specifically for the vagina. Blended with a variety of herbs that boost immunity and relieve the symptoms of a yeast infection, this formula soothes as it heals. (SEE: Natural Vaginal Infection Detoxification Relief) While intercourse may at some point contribute to future yeast infections, following the advice provided here will help. Continuing to take the herbal formula will also provide crucial protection.