BIO-FEM Actigel

What causes vaginal discomforts

External factors

The external factors that can cause a disbalance in the vaginal environment are subdivided in mechanical, hygienic, chemical factors, sexual intercourse.

Sexual intercourse should be considered as a combination of all of these factors and will therefore be discussed separately.

1. Mechanical factors

Mechanical factors can cause damage to the tissues e.g. a rough internal examination or the conduction of a vaginal smear by your nurse/Gynaecologist, a medical intervention, small damages caused by sex etc. Repair processes of the body for the elimination of inflammation, infection and those for tissue repair will be activated. Trousers that are too tight (occlusion and chafing) and underwear (occlusion) as well as poor application of tampons (wounding) could cause damages as well.

2. Hygienic factors

Hygienic factors are bad hygienic measures or the neglect of vaginal hygiene. A very bad hygienic measure is washing with normal soap, as soap is alkaline and disturbs the acidic environment. Wash with just water or slightly acid water (1 spoon white vinegar to half a litre of water) or a special soap dedicated to this area are the best practices.

It is important to change tampons and sanitary pads very regularly. Women who use a pessarium should pay extra attention to vaginal hygiene and clean the pessarium thoroughly. Although internal vaginal cleaning with a vaginal douche is not a common practice, we do advise douching after intercourse (without a condom) and when you have an "intimate complaint". After douching, the cervix is clean, the cell debris that has been collecting in the fornix and the surplus of micro-organisms from an infection are removed.

It is also important to apply correct toilet habits, e.g. in wiping with toilet paper women should always wipe from front to back and not the other way around. This avoids the spread of micro-organisms like yeast from the bowels into the vagina. So both inadequate and wrong vaginal hygiene can cause unnecessary growth of undesirable micro-organisms in the vagina.

3. Chemical factors

Some vaginal sprays and anti-conceptive gels are harmful. Some women can develop an allergy to the rubber of condoms or hygienic/cosmetic products.

4. Sexual intercourse

It is a combination of mechanical, hygienic and chemical factors. The hygienic factor is the possible transmission of all sorts of micro-organisms. These are not only the ones that cause venereal diseases but also other bacteria and viruses: from a bladder infection, to skin diseases, through oral sex (such as fever blister's Herpes virus), etc. The danger lies not only in the transmission of undesirable micro-organisms, sexual intercourse disturbs the vaginal environment chemically as well. Sperm is alkaline and changes the pH of the vagina and is also very rich in proteins. Both of these factors are favorable for the growth of unwanted micro-organisms.

The capacity to repair the vaginal environment after sexual intercourse is different in every woman. Some are able to do this easily while others have great difficulty or even lack in the recuperation of the vaginal balances. Some woman will also notice a bad smelling discharge a day after intercourse this is because overgrowth of unwanted bacteria can produce substances that have a bad smell. These women should clean their vagina with an acidic flush around 8 hours after the intercourse, this will help to remove the alkaline sperm and the surplus of bad bacteria and to restore the pH balance easier. With the use of a condom there are of course no real changes in the vaginal environment.

Internal factors

The internal factors that can influence the vaginal environment are the general health of the woman, the balance of the sex hormone levels, the use of medications and drugs.

1. General health

General health includes the psychological health, stress and tiredness reduce our resistance as well. Pathogenic microorganisms will have a better chance to attack and invade the tissues of the vagina.

2. Sex hormones

The vagina is optimally protected during ovulation (approximately 2 weeks prior to menstruation) and minimally with very low hormone levels (little girls and postmenopausal women). Oestrogens stimulate the growth and ripening of the mucous tissues. Progesterone enhances the sugar deposition in the cells of the vaginal lining. This hormone dominates the second half of the menstrual cycle and also pregnancy. The pill imitates pregnancy and as a result there is a lot of cell sugar in the vaginal tissues. Yeast needs sugar to proliferate. We most often observe infection by candida (candidiasis) in pregnancy, in women who take the pill and in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Diabetes is a condition that gives rise to yeast infections as well.

3. Medication and drugs

Some medication e.g. the use of some antibiotics such as tetracyclines for the treatment of acne or repeated courses of antibiotics for infections may influence the condition and the environment of the vagina.

The use of drugs can influence the vaginal tissues as well.

Infections and seasonality

	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Trichomonasis			x	x
Candidasis			x
Pelvic Actinomycosis	x		x
Chlamydia			x
HPV		x
Genital Herpes			x	x

How to prevent discomforts

1. Wash with lukewarm water only and do not use ordinary soap. If necessary you can obtain special products for intimate hygiene from your pharmacist.
2. Don't close off the intimate area with tight pants or underwear. Preferably wear cotton underwear.
3. Ensure tampons are inserted correctly as incorrect application can damage internal tissues.
4. Check for possible allergies you might have to perfumes or foods as these can influence intimate complaints.
5. Take care that bacteria from the bowel don't get into the vagina by wiping from front to back.
6. When you notice an abnormal discharge or odour, apply BIO-FEM Actigel to restore the proper vaginal condition. BIO-FEM Actigel provides natural protection against undesired micro-organisms.
7. Change tampons and sanitary towels very regularly.
8. Make love when you are aroused and not "dry" because that may cause irritation of the tissues.
9. When you suffer from yeast infection, a sugar-free diet might be of help. Know that your partner can be a source of re-infection so anti-Candida medication for both of you should be considered.
10. Maintenance of general good health should help to boost your resistance.