A Natural Care Approach to Women’s Health

There are many products on the market that claim to clean, maintain and care for your lady parts. These brands promise that their products are gynaecologically tested, pH balanced and hypoallergenic so you can trust that they are safe for you to use. But the reality is – they are often made with harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, which wreak havoc to your hormones by disrupting the endocrine system. 

A study conducted in 2018 by E.Crann et. al. (1) revealed that 80% of women who used commercially produced intimate hygiene items reported experiencing one or more negative vaginal symptoms. These symptoms included itching, burning, abnormal discharge, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Among the frequently used products were anti-itch creams, moisturisers/lubricants, feminine wipes, baby wipes, and feminine soap.

All those products aren’t necessary for your intimate area, as the vagina has its own self-cleaning mechanisms, maintaining a healthy pH balance and cleansing with natural secretions according to Healthline (2).

In this blog we explore some suggestions when opting for natural methods to care for your intimate health!

 

Time of the Month

 

It has been ingrained in society that periods were just something women had to deal with every month and experiencing pre-menstrual (PMS) symptoms were to be expected for the course. 

However, viewed from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, menstruation shouldn’t inherently be painful or accompanied by ‘crazy’ symptoms like mood swings, cramps, bloating, or diarrhoea. Typically from a Chinese medicine point of view, these burdening symptoms are attributed to stagnation of Liver Qi (Energy), which slows blood circulation and can lead to intense pain, irritability, and agitation during menstruation.

 

 

How to care for yourself when it is that Time of the Month?

 

Here are some tips that you can start practicing when caring for your time of the month:

• Staying warm: avoid cold and raw foods which can be difficult to digest, further slowing down your metabolism and blood circulation. Incorporate hot teas, bone broth soups, and keeping yourself warm and wrapped up in cold damp weather. 
• Exercise: Engaging in moderate activities like walking, yoga, tai chi, or any form of physical exercise can promote the movement of Liver Qi (Energy), easing body tension, stress, and low moods. This can also help alleviate PMS symptoms such as cramps or bloating by encouraging blood circulation throughout the body. However, it’s important not to push yourself too hard during workouts, as this can leave the body depleted of energy while it’s already working hard to shed the uterine lining.
• Get Acupuncture or Herbal Medicine: Rather than resorting to regular painkillers, which may lead to adverse long-term effects, consider exploring natural alternatives. Acupuncture, for instance, can aid in promoting the movement of Liver Qi (Energy) and relieving pain. Additionally, Chinese herbal medicine formulas like Xiao Yao San may address imbalances in the body, reducing PMS symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, sore breasts, acne, and bloating.

 

UTI’s (Uterine Tract Infections)

 

UTI’s are often caused by a lack of hydration, stress, unhealthy lifestyle choices, or a weakened immune system. Contracting a UTI can be quite inconvenient, leading to unpleasant symptoms like a painful burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, and even blood in the urine.

Typically, UTI’s are treated with antibiotic medication. It’s crucial for women to complete their prescribed course of antibiotics, even if they feel better, as instructed by their healthcare provider. This helps prevent an increased risk of recurring infections that could potentially become resistant to those antibiotics in the future.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can offer supportive treatment for UTIs, particularly if recurrent painful symptoms persist or if the infection is non-bacterial in nature. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can aid in clearing heat from the body and boosting the individual’s immune system to prevent future recurrences. Consider trying acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in combination with your Western medicine to see if it works for you.

Other useful lifestyle habits you can start implementing to control UTIs include:

• Drink at least 1.5 litres of water each day 
• Incorporate warm brewed Green Tea, which are high in antioxidants and contain EGC which are useful in combating against bacteria that causes UTI 
• Avoid smoking and drinking excessive alcohol to reduce Heat in the body 
• Ensure you are getting good quality sleep for at least 7-8 hours each night to nourish your Yin

 

Yeast Infections

 

According to Victoria Department of Health (2024) (3), about 75% of women encounter vaginal thrush at some point in their lives, a yeast infection triggered by an overgrowth of Candida Albicans. While this yeast naturally resides in the bowel and in small amounts in the vagina, overgrowth can lead to symptoms such as vaginal itching, excessive white discharge, or a burning sensation during urination.

There are various causes that may contribute to yeast infections, including medication like antibiotics, hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle choices such as wearing tight clothing like pants, leggings, or underwear. 

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, an excess of vaginal discharge may stem from Damp-Heat in the Liver meridian, often exacerbated by stress or a poor diet. Consider these tips if you’re prone to yeast infections:

• Diet: Reduce intake of processed carbs, gluten, sugar, and high-fructose foods, while incorporating more leafy greens to help eliminate Dampness in the body.
• Acupuncture: Getting acupuncture can strengthen and boost the immune system by regulating any imbalances within the body. A strong immune system is key to effectively fight off bacteria and preventing yeast infections.
• Herbal Medicine: Supplementing with Chinese herbal medicine based on the imbalances in the body, while also incorporating herbs that can help transform and eliminate the excess Dampness can be an effective support in treating yeast infections.

 

Natural Women’s Health Care

 

When it comes to caring for your intimate area, a complex multi-step routine with harsh products isn’t necessary. Such approaches can disrupt the vagina’s pH balance, leading to unpleasant side effects. Stick to a simple regimen using mild soap free alternatives and water, and opt for loose, breathable clothing. Additionally, consider incorporating Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine alongside Western medicine if any issues arise.

 

Women’s Health Support

 

At Natural Solutions Acupuncture, women’s health support is one of the things we love doing! If you have any issues, please don’t hesitate contacting us and we can help you get healthy again.

This blog post was written by Dr Wendy Le and you can book a consultation with her here or give our reception a call on 0414 067 874 .

 

References

(1) E. Crann. S., Cunningham, S., Albert, A., Money, D.M. & O’Doherty, K.C. (2018). Vaginal health and hygiene practices and products use in Canada: A national cross-section survey. BMC Women’s Health, 18(52). DOI: 10.1186/s12905-018-0543-y

(2) Healthline. (2023). How to Clean Your Vagina and Vulva. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-vagina

(3) Victoria Department of Health. (2024). Better Health Channel: Vaginal Thrush. Retrieved from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/vaginal-thrush