The Dreaded Itch

The condition I am referring to is medically known as vulvovaginitis, but all the women I know simply call it 'the itch'! Unfortunately, this problem is very prevalent during the long hot summers that we in the sub-tropical zones experience.

Symptoms range from a mildly annoying irritation that may or may not be accompanied by a discharge, to extreme burning and an itch that is only relieved by scratching, until the pain from the scratclung itself is worse than the original itch.

If you are a female and you have never experienced either, then count yourself very very fortunate.

Often the condition is mistakenly confused with or called cystitis, as it is aggravated by the passing of urine, but cystitis is more often a secondary condition which develops from the inflammation in the vulva and the vagina, or when the infection ascends to the bladder via the urethra.

Other conditions besides the hot weather that can cause 'the itch' are an imbalance of pH in the vagina, which allows Candida to develop, or the acid/alkaline imbalance occurs when the glycogen, oestrin and lactic acid levels in the vagina are being secreted incorrectly.

The reason this is more likely to happen in the summer months is due to our increased intake of acid-forming foods during the holiday season, or because we are not drinking enough water to keep the body's fluid output properly maintained. We also tend to consume more alcohol during the summer months, which also creates an imbalance in the pH of the body.

In the summer we also tend to use more deodorant sprays etc, which can also cause irritation to sensitive skin. Soaps are another frequent cause of vaginal irritations, so it is always advisable to use non-acid-based cleansers. The tight non-breathing synthetic fabric often used for female underwear is cause for suspicion, so panties with a cotton inner lining are advised to be worn next to the skin.

Laundry detergents and fabric softeners are usually chemically based, and as such can interfere with the delicate chemical balance of the vulva and vaginal cavity, as can additives to the bath water such as bubble baths and scented oils.

Contraceptive spermicides, condoms and douches, because of the chemical formulation, are also frequent causes of vaginal irritations that can be an aggravating factor if the body chemistry is out of balance.

I have found over the years through talking to women with this problem that the itch seems to be most prevalent in young women, women on the pill and older women around or prior to menopause. The one thing these three groups have in common is a lesser degree of vaginal secretions.

The young ones have not as yet developed the ability to secrete; the girls on the pill have less vaginal secretions, as the pill and ovulation can cause dryness in the vagina; and menopausal women are slowing down in their output of vaginal secretions.

Which brings us back to the beforementioned situation where the oestrin production within the vagina is out of balance causing the whole body to become too acidic.

The discharge is usually worse when the glycogen levels or sugar output are high, so the diet or the increased level of alcohol or sugar consumption must be assessed. It should be noted here too that glycogen is excessively secreted in the diabetic and those who have a susceptilibilty to sugar, so the problem of an imbalance in the pH of the vagina could also be a sign that the pancreas is having a little bit of difficulty coping with the diet.

If there is an imbalance within the internal chemistry, we are prone to invasion of bacteria and infection, which leads us to antibiotics and the threat of thrush and a worsening of the pH imbalance. The patient is then facing the all too familiar merry-go-round of infection, antibiotic, infection, and so on.

The first steps to take to assist a sufferer are:

(a) isolate the cause of the problem, and then (b) balance the pH by using a suitable alkaline balancing and producing formulation.

Ural is probably the easiest to obtain from the chemist, but check with your doctor first about the sugar output aspect.

There are available many herbs and homeopathic remedies that can treat and prevent vaginitis and most other conditions relating to the female reproductive system. It should be remembered that it is best to have a reputable therapist blend these for you, but generally speaking the herbs used are Ladies Mantle, Echinacea, Cornsilk, Evening Primrose, Uva Ursi, Buchu, Meadowsweet and Marshmallow.

Homeopathic remedies would need to be chosen to suit the individual symptoms but, generally speaking, the remedies that could help would be: Cantharis, Sanguinaria, Hydrastis, Sepia, Pulsatilla, Chamomile, and Helonias. Minerals that can be of benefit too are: Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, and Zinc. So really, there is no reason why any woman should suffer this terrible embarrassing and painful condition.

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