CANDIDIASIS
Candidiasis is nothing
to joke about. Women BEWARE of CANDIDA CREAMS inserted down there with the aim
of treating candidiasis. Every female once in her life time will experience the
effect of the yeast like fungi infection called candidiasis. Some may
experience severe infections while many others' infections may be mild
depending on the condition in which the person may find herself. About 80% of
females experience candidiasis during their early twenties and mid-thirty’s which
comes as a result of the individual failing to observe personal hygiene,
failing to cut down the consumption of sugary foods, hormonal imbalance,etc. Again, 10% of ladies get affected with candidiasis during menopausal stages which comes
as a result of hormonal imbalance and other factors. Lastly, 10 % of females
also experience candidiasis during period of pregnancy and delivery, which comes
as a result of hormonal imbalance, precisely Estrogen and the intake of certain antibiotics as well. Research has shown that estrogen, precisely 17-β-estradiol increases the growth of Candida albicans.
A study
done by researchers stated that 40% of women who used petroleum jelly as a
vaginal lubricant had bacterial vaginosa- an infection that can be caused by a
number of common bacterial species compared to 18% who did not use them. Again, according to Dr. Vermund, Director of the Institute for Global Health, petroleum jelly might promote the growth of bad bacteria because of its alkaline
properties.
I personally visited some markets and pharmacy shops to find
out the ingredients used to make some vaginal creams which are applied by insertion into the vagina with the aim of treating candidiasis. To my utter disbelief, I found out that more than 80% of the vaginal creams sold to the unknowing consumer had
petroleum jelly as an ingredient with an unknown percentage content. Some brands don’t even write it as an ingredient at all.
I had the chance to speak
with about 36 middle-aged women and 50 young ladies in different communities in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. The 36 women were
all married and the other 50 were young ladies between the ages of 18- 30. About 89% were affected with candidiasis and were using or better still
inserting creams (with petroleum jelly as an ingredient) in an attempt to treat their infections. These women and ladies voiced out complaints to suggest that their attempt at treatment had worsened their predicament. Petroleum jelly, according to a representative for Vaseline manufacturer Unilever told Reuters
Health by email, "Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is for external use only, and
we state this on our packaging for consumers. We do not recommend Vaseline
Petroleum Jelly be used as a vaginal lubricant and have not performed any
testing to support this use.
Doctors have always
advised against using petroleum jelly intravaginally, according to David Katz,
a professor of bio-medical engineering and of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke
University in Durham, North Carolina. Meaning, it is only meant for skin application and not for vaginal insertion as a lubricant or with the
aim of preventing or curing candidiasis. The study did not
determine why petroleum jelly might promote bacterial vaginosis.
Petroleum-based products suck water out of the surfaces they are in contact with, and could
make the sensitive skin of the vagina more prone to infection, said Katz, who
was not involved in the new study.
According to Celeste Lutrario, Vice-president of Research and Development
for Burt’s Bees, petroleum jelly or petrolatum is an occlusive
barrier, locking in moisture but not allowing moisture to be absorbed from
the atmosphere.She again stated that, using other product as an alternative to petroleum
jelly will cost much more than using petrolatum, because petrolatum is cheap,
plenty and generally safe, and mixes up easily in the laboratory to create the
products being used out there as compared to the alternatives which are more
expensive and trickier to formulate.
According to Minkin, oil-based lubricants are thicker and don’t wash out very easily, so they can get stuck in your vaginal canal and eventually trap bacteria along with it, resulting in infection.
The vaginal area is
packed with sweat glands which breed bacterial when you sweat. The moment you
used these creams and you begin to sweat and some of the bacteria gets into
your vagina they will change the natural microbial flora in there and you will
be prone to yeast infection. Whenever possible,
refrain from using products with petroleum-based ingredients, including
multipurpose lubricants like Vaseline petroleum jelly, on your genitals. They
may contain impurities linked to cancer and other health conditions; they can
also coat your skin, impeding its normal functions and not allowing it to
“breathe" by doctors. Freshen up anytime you back from work or from the exercise
grounds and make it a point to contact your physician or gynecologist
before you use any creams inside there...
TAKE NOTE: This is
general information about candida creams containing petrolatum REMEMBER to
contact your clinician if you’re not convince about anything
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