Feminine hygiene

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Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness Tori Hudson, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

High or low estrogen states such as pregnancy or menopause; hormonal medications such as contraceptive devices, including OCs; feminine hygiene products; and vaginal sexual activity, including friction, lubricants, and semen can all create a challenge for the vaginal ecology to maintain homeostasis. Nutrition I cannot overemphasize how the health of the entire body affects the internal ecosystem of the vagina.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Do not use "feminine hygiene sprays," packaged douches, bubble baths, tampons, sanitary pads, or toilet paper containing fragrance. The chemicals these products contain are potentially irritating. Q If you suffer from frequent urinary tract infections, use sanitary pads rather than tampons. Q If urination is painful but harmful bacteria cannot be found, discontinue use of all types of soaps and use only water to cleanse the vaginal area. Some people are sensitive to soap; an all-natural soap from a health food store is recommended.

Dioxins are chlorinated hydrocarbons and can be found in feminine hygiene products as a by-product of the bleaching process. Dioxin can be absorbed into the body where it collects in fatty tissue. Pesticides are another source of dioxins, as is the effluent from some types of waste incinerators. Q Endometriosis is a benign (noncancerous) condition, but research shows that women who have endometriosis are at greater risk of developing breast cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, and ovarian cancer than women who do not.

Do not use "feminine hygiene sprays," packaged douches, bubble baths, or tampons, sanitary pads, or toilet paper containing fragrance. The chemicals these products contain are potentially irritating. Q Do pelvic exercises such as Kegel's exercises. (See under prolapse of the uterus in Part Two.) These are useful because weak pelvic muscles are often involved in bladder control problems. Daily exercises can strengthen pelvic muscles and improve bladder control. Exercising your muscles for just five minutes three times a day can make a big difference.

The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals Leslie Taylor, ND See book keywords and concepts

It can be found in hair tonics, antidandruff preparations, and feminine hygiene sprays and as a natural fragrance in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes. Balsam of tolu was also included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia in 1820 with similar uses as balsam of Peru. Additionally, it is a cough suppressant and respiratory aid used in cough lozenges and syrups, for sore throats, and as a vapor inhalant for respiratory ailments. The internal dosage is reported to be to 1 g taken three times daily. Balsam contains 50 percent to 64 percent volatile oil and 20 percent to 28 percent resin.

Critical Condition: How Health Care in America Became Big Business Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele See book keywords and concepts

For women at a certain time of the month, with a condition that could not be mentioned by name at the time, Lambert promoted Listerine "for feminine hygiene." A stark headline warned: "The Harm that WOMEN DO Themselves. Intimate use of harsh antiseptics leads to untold damage. Women now hail a gentle, safe means." The text began: "The use of harsh, powerful antiseptics in connection with feminine hygiene often results in illness that may lead to an operation. Women suffering thus crowd the hospitals. Will you sooner or later be one of them?

Staying Healthy in a Risky Environment: The New York University Medical Center Family Guide Arthur C. Upton, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Feminine Hygiene Sprays Despite their names, most feminine hygiene sprays contain only perfume—not antibacterial ingredients—and are not necessary for proper personal hygiene. They can cause irritation and rashes in women and men whose partner uses the product before intercourse. Simply rinse the vagina with water during regular bathing. If an unpleasant odor or discharge is present, do not try to mask the odor; consult a doctor. Tampons The major risk of tampon use is toxic shock syndrome, a disease caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

Everybody's guide to homeopathic medicines Stephen Cummings and Dana Ullman See book keywords and concepts

Avoid potential irritants such as deodorant tampons, feminine hygiene products, and strong or perfumed soaps and bubble baths. Use cotton underwear. Avoid caffeine, which may irritate urinary tract tissues. Diaphragms should be fitted properly to prevent pressure on the urethra. If you use birth control pills, get a low- or no-estrogen kind. If you do begin to notice symptoms, immediately begin drinking more liquids to dilute the bacteria in the bladder and flush them out.

Specific causes of such irritation include vigorous sexual activity, substances in products such as diaphragm jelly, feminine hygiene products, or tampons and foreign objects in the vagina. Vaginal discharges that result from forgetting to remove a tampon also are fairly common. In such cases, the vaginal lining becomes red and swollen with extra blood, and secretions increase as an effort is made to flush the irritation away. Infection may result if the irritation allows germs to enter the tissues, but discomfort and a discharge don't necessarily mean an infection is present.

Critical Condition: How Health Care in America Became Big Business Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele See book keywords and concepts

The text began: "The use of harsh, powerful antiseptics in connection with feminine hygiene often results in illness that may lead to an operation. Women suffering thus crowd the hospitals. Will you sooner or later be one of them? Are you going to let half truths or ignorance of proper measures rob you of vitality, health, and peace of mind?" Madison Avenue had crafted a winning formula to get people to buy products based on their anxieties, fears, and hopes. No industry ultimately would embrace the concept more eagerly or with more stellar results than the pharmaceutical industry.

Intelligent Medicine: A Guide to Optimizing Health and Preventing Illness for the Baby-Boomer Generation Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Inadvertent application of chemicals present in water, deliberate applications of chemicals in vaginal deodorants, inadvertent applications of bleaches or dyes present in clothing or in toilet paper and feminine hygiene products — these can all increase the incidence of vaginitis. Many women haven't been given satisfactory answers about their vaginitis. I'm aware of this because I am very often consulted by women for just this problem. One problem in the treatment of vaginitis is that in medicine it is treated as an infection with a "find the bug and use a drug" mentality.

DES), antibiotics, antifungals, bleaches in toilet paper and feminine hygiene products, environmental toxins, genital herpes, and HPV —it's no wonder normal vaginal health is at risk! Too many women suffer from the symptoms of vaginitis: itchy, burning sensations, uncomfortable and malodorous discharge, pain on intercourse. Causes of Vaginitis Why is vaginitis such a pervasive a baby-boomer phenomenon?

Get Healthy Now with Gary Null: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Treatment and Healthy living Gary Null See book keywords and concepts

Avoid feminine hygiene sprays and powders, which can cause irritation. Douching is not necessary; a healthy vagina is naturally clean. Keep stress under control. Take a few deep breaths. Go for a brisk walk in the open air. Do something to alleviate the stress that builds up. homeopathy Since homeopathy treatments are chosen according to symptoms, deciding on a remedy depends on the quality of the discharge and the sensations, according to Dr. Ken Korins. Here he offers some of the major remedies for vaginal yeast infections: Pulsatilla. This remedy is often indicated in vaginitis.

The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing: A Comprehensive A-Z Listing of Common and Chronic Illnesses and Their Proven Natural Treatments Gary Null, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Other particular lifestyle strategies that work, specifically, to decrease the incidence of vaginal yeast infections, are as follows: Allow air to circulate in the genital area by wearing cotton crotch underwear and avoiding pantyhose and tight clothing; keep anal bacteria from entering the vagina by wiping from front to back; and avoid "feminine hygiene" sprays and powders which can cause irritation. Also, you should understand that douching is not necessary, as a healthy vagina is naturally clean. iet either inhibits or accelerates yeast-related problems.

A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients Ruth Winter, M.S. See book keywords and concepts

CHLORHEXIDINE • A white, crystalline powder used as a topical antiseptic and skin sterilizing ingredient in liquid cosmetics and in European feminine hygiene sprays. May cause contact dermatitis. Strongly alkaline. The CIR Expert Panel (see) concludes on the basis of present data, chlorhexidine and its salts are safe for use in cosmetic products at concentration of up to 0.14 percent as chlorhexidine; 0.19 percent as chlorhexidine diacetate (see); 0.20 percent as chlorhexidine digluconate and 0.16 percent as chlorhexidine dihydrochloride.

The Garlic Cure James F. Scheer, Lynn Allison and Charlie Fox See book keywords and concepts

Aluminum also assails us in antacids, antidiarrhea formulas, antiperspirants and deodorants, some cosmetics and feminine hygiene products (including douches) some hemorrhoid salves, lipstick, skin creams, lotions and toothpaste. One important theory maintains that aluminum contributes to or causes Alzheimer's disease. This will be explored in the next chapter. Beware of Mercury And Lead!

Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Do not use feminine hygiene sprays, packaged douches, bubble baths, tampons, sanitary pads, or similar products if they contain fragrances. These products contain balsam, which can activate allergies that increase irritation in the lining of the bladder and give bacteria new places to grow. þ If you are a woman who suffers from frequent urinary tract infections, use fragrant-free sanitary pads rather than tampons. -J Avoid holding in urine for long periods of time. This increases a woman's risk of bladder infection and, possibly, bladder cancer.

A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients Ruth Winter, M.S. See book keywords and concepts

Colors, and Aluminum Lakes. feminine hygiene SPRAYS • See Vaginal Deodorants. FENNEL OIL AND EXTRACT • One of the earliest known herbs from the tall, beautiful shrub. Used in astringents and perfumes. The fennel flowers appear in June and are bright yellow. Compresses of fennel tea are used by organic cosmeticians to soothe inflamed eyelids and watery eyes. May cause allergic reactions. FENUGREEK SEED • Greek Hay. An annual herb grown in southern Europe, North Africa, and India, and used in hair tonics, supposedly to prevent baldness; also added to powders, poultices, and ointments.

The Woman's Encyclopedia of Natural Healing Dr. Gary Null See book keywords and concepts

Avoid feminine hygiene sprays and powders, which can cause irritation. Douching is not necessary; a healthy vagina is naturally clean. Keep stress under control. Take a few deep breaths. Go for a brisk walk in the open air. Do something to alleviate the stress that builds up. HOMEOPATHY. Since homeopathy treatments are chosen according to symptoms, deciding on a remedy depends on the quality of the discharge and the sensations, according to Dr. Ken Korins. Here he offers some of the major remedies for vaginal yeast infections: Pulsatilla. This remedy is often indicated in vaginitis.

The Green Pharmacy Anti-Aging Prescriptions: Herbs, Foods, and Natural Formulas to Keep You Young James A. Duke, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Douching is not necessary or appropriate for routine feminine hygiene. It raises the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious infection of the reproductive organs. CALENDULA (CALENDULA OFFICINALIS). The flowers of calendula have a long history as a treatment for inflammation. Certain compounds in the herb have demonstrated some antibacterial activity, especially against staphylococcus. Naturopathic physicians recommend washing the vulva and vagina with calendula juice. I suggest throwing some calendula flowers into a blender and processing them until they're a pastelike consistency.

I've already cautioned against douching as routine feminine hygiene. I'd especially discourage it if you have a problem with vaginal dryness. The repeated application of douche water eventually dries vaginal tissues by rinsing away beneficial lubrication. If you smoke, quit. Smoking constricts your blood vessels, including the ones located in your vaginal wall. This accelerates vaginal atrophy and the loss of vaginal lubrication, especially after menopause. Smoking also contributes to hormonal changes that aggravate vaginal dryness. Include sex in your treatment plan.

Earl Mindell's Secret Remedies Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Avoid irritants—Do not use oils, feminine hygiene sprays, or talcum powder in your genital area, and don't douche with any chemical substances. Avoid bath oils or bubble baths; take showers instead. During menstruation, change sanitary napkins and tampons frequently. Both have been known to provide a route for bacteria. In addition, tampons may put pressure on the urethra, encouraging infection. Wear cotton underpants—avoid synthetic fibers that can block the proper circulation of air and promote the growth of bacteria.

Natural Prescriptions: Dr. Giller's Natural Treatments & Vitamin Therapies For Over 100 Common Ailments Robert M. Giller, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

In addition to proper wiping from front to back, you should avoid feminine hygiene sprays, douches, and bubble baths. Try to avoid tight clothes, and wear cotton panties. Recent studies have shown that another practice can foster cystitis and may be even more important than poor hygiene or sexual activity, and that's failure to urinate frequently. We now know that women who "hold" their urine for a long time after they feel the urge to go are far more likely to develop a bladder infection than women who go immediately upon feeling the urge. Why?

Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, douches, and bubble baths. • Avoid tight clothing, and wear cotton panties. • Urinate frequently, as soon as you feel the urge. Never hold your urine. • If bladder infections are persistent, but urinalysis does not reveal bacteria, try a yeast-cleansing diet by avoiding foods containing yeast including bread, cheese, mushrooms, vinegar, soy sauce, fermented foods such as alcohol and olives or pickles. In addition, take acidophilus supplements: one capsule three times daily. For more information on yeast, see Candidiasis, page 61.

For example, a number of substances can irritate the bladder including smoke, caffeine, perfumes in soaps and bubble baths, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products. Cranberry juice is acidic and is known to be beneficial to the bladder, so add it to your diet. You should also be reasonable about the amount of fluids you drink. One woman came to see me with incontinence that had confined her to her home for months. She learned the Kegel exercises and found some relief but still was trouble by occasional accidents.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking, perfumes in soaps, bubble baths, and toilet papers, and feminine hygiene products. • Drink cranberry juice. • Unless there's a medical reason indicating otherwise, drink no more than four glasses of liquid daily. • Empty your bladder regularly, at least eight times a day. IN ADDITION: I suggest that all my patients with incontinence subscribe to a newsletter called "HIP: Help for Incontinent People," published by a nonprofit, self-help organization. You can get a free copy by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to HIP, Box 544, Union, SC 29379.

The irritants can include chemicals and/or allergens such as those from laundry detergents, spermicides, feminine hygiene products, latex condoms, or soaps; foreign bodies including tampons or diaphragms left in too long; or traumatic irritants that include sexual activity or physical trauma to the vagina. Finally, there's hormonal vaginitis. The most common hormonal vaginitis is atrophic vaginitis. This is usually a problem for postmenopausal women and women who have had their ovaries removed. Its symptoms include itching, burning, and a watery discharge.

The Woman's Encyclopedia of Natural Healing Dr. Gary Null See book keywords and concepts

Avoid feminine hygiene sprays and powders, which can cause irritation. Douching is not necessary; a healthy vagina is naturally clean. Keep stress under control. Take a few deep breaths. Go for a brisk walk in the open air. Do something to alleviate the stress that builds up. homeopathy. Since homeopathy treatments are chosen according to symptoms, deciding on a remedy depends on the quality of the discharge and the sensations, according to Dr. Ken Korins. Here he offers some of the major remedies for vaginal yeast infections: Pulsatilla. This remedy is often indicated in vaginitis.

A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients Ruth Winter, M.S. See book keywords and concepts

VAGINAL DEODORANTS • feminine hygiene Sprays. Introduced in 1966, vaginal deodorant sprays have grown very popular. Marketed as mists or powders in aerosol sprays and widely advertised as products to keep women feeling "feminine," they are designed to prevent "feminine odor" and to give that "clean feeling." Classified as cosmetics, these deodorants did not need clearance for the ingredients.

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