Mycoses and menstruation: how to treat them?

If you have a heavy vaginal discharge or an itchy vulva all day long, you're probably suffering from fungus or bacteria! Vaginal mycosis is a gynaecological infection: three out of four women will experience one in their lifetime, including episodes of mycosis and menstruation!

Mycosis and menstruation: is the infection linked to the menstrual cycle?

Vaginal mycosis can occur at any time during the cycle, causing menstrual disorders. Menstruation has the potential to weaken the vaginal microbiota and impact the development of bacteria. In fact, at this precise moment, our body produces a hormone called estrogen, which indirectly regulates the sugar-containing glycogen that the fungus responsible for this irritation, Candida Albican, needs to develop.
What's more, during menstruation, your vagina will have a higher PH than normal, making the vaginal area more alkaline, which favors the appearance of yeast within its flora.

How can you recognize a yeast infection during your period?

Vaginal mycosis is easy to recognize during menstruation. In fact, whether they appear before or after the period, they often have the same symptoms:

• more or less intenseitching, impossible or even difficult to relieve
• burning sensations in the perineum
• abundant white discharge, thicker than usual
• abnormalswelling of the vulva, red discoloration, vaginitis
• pain when urinating, similar to a urinary infection

Finally, if you're still not sure, you can ask your gynecologist or general practitioner for a vaginal swab and treatment, or take a self-test, which you can buy in pharmacies!

How do I treat mycosis during my period?

Once you've identified a mycosis before your period, you can start treatment. If symptoms appear during menstruation, you'll have to wait until the end to see if they persist, and if they're not linked to discomfort due to blood loss or to wearing sanitary protection that's too irritating.

Natural remedies

To treat this infection in women, there are natural remedies that don't require medication. These grandma's tricks can be applied during or just after the menstrual period:

• Apply coconut vegetable oil, a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent, to the affected area.
• Grapefruit seed extract, taken as a course of treatment, is also a highly effective antibacterial and antifungal agent! Ask your health care professional or doctor if you can take this supplement in addition to your medication.
• To prevent the appearance of bacteria or help get rid of them, avoid overly sweet foods, dairy products, over-ripe fruit and vegetables, and cold meats, as fungi and bacteria love them!

Anti-fungal medication

Generally and traditionally, these infections in women are treated with antimycoticova and cream:

• 2 or 3 antifungal ova are inserted into the vagina in several doses spaced a few days apart. These are readily available in pharmacies.
• Antifungal cream should be applied several times a day.

To prevent recurrence during menstruation and promote healthy vaginal flora, we recommend taking vaginal probiotics.

How can I avoid discomfort with mycosis and my period?

To avoid and minimizediscomfort, we recommend you follow a few simple tips.

Use a cleansing product that respects the vaginal flora

Here's our basic advice onintimate hygiene:

• Use a PH-neutral or pH7 soap. Wash your intimate area no more than twice a day!
• Don't use wipes containing perfumes that tend to aggravate burning and itching.
• Ideally, wash with clear water. Don't douche, as this will further disturb the acidity of your vagina and could lead to vaginitis.

Opt for appropriate sanitary protection

Disposable or synthetic sanitary pads are not very breathable, and create a moist environment in which infection can thrive.
Opt, for example, for an Elia menstrual panty in organic cotton, knitted to let your private parts breathe! Synthetic-free menstrual panties are a great ally: they're not too tight, they breathe, and they protect you from staining your clothes.

Protect yourself during intercourse to avoid irritation

When you have a yeast infection during menstruation, before or after, it's important to use a condom during intercourse. It's always better to protect yourself with a sexual partner you don't know perfectly well. Beware: in the case of sexual intercourse between two women, the fungus can be transmitted from one vulva or vagina to the other, as the properties of the two organs are the same! Remember to check your contraception, as some pills can alter natural vaginal lubrication and encourage candidiasis.

Use appropriate undergarments

To prevent the proliferation of yeast and Candida Albican throughhumidity, here are a few intimate hygiene tips to apply:

• Once you've showered, use loose cotton underwear that lets your vulva breathe!
• Change and wash your bath towel regularly.
• Don't wear panty liners, which don't allow the area to breathe!

In conclusion, vaginal mycosis during menstruation is not serious and is not inevitable! If, however, these symptoms persist, don't hesitate to consult your doctor or gynaecologist for further treatment and to check that other underlying illnesses are not the cause of your candidiasis.

FAQ about yeast infections and menstruation

How to treat mycosis during menstruation?

Can a yeast infection go away with my period?

Why do I get yeast infections before my period?

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