Sara (52) works as an administrative assistant, has four children, and is divorced. When she entered menopause, she suddenly started experiencing vaginal yeast infections. "Menopause is something every woman has to deal with sooner or later, I was aware of that. I can handle the hot flushes, but those vaginal issues? They were driving me mad."
It took quite some effort, but by taking better care of myself, I regained more control over my health. And also over my vaginal health. I feel so much better now than I did before.
When Sara suddenly developed a vaginal yeast infection during menopause, she was shocked. The last time she had dealt with one was during her teenage years. Sara: "The itching and pain were intense, and I felt very uncomfortable. I knew vaginal infections were more common during menopause, but I didn’t realise how unpleasant they could be. I went to my doctor and was prescribed an antifungal cream, which thankfully relieved the symptoms quickly."
But a few months later, she experienced new symptoms, which were different this time. "I didn’t have itching or a burning sensation, but my discharge was unusual and had a bad odour. It turned out I had a bacterial vaginal infection. I went back to the doctor and was prescribed antibiotics. The symptoms disappeared, but I was afraid they would come back. Thankfully, they didn’t after I started living a healthier lifestyle."
Sara began looking for a solution to her vaginal issues and decided to change her lifestyle. "I read that the bacteria in the vagina play an important role in maintaining vaginal health and that diet can influence these bacteria. So, I started cutting back on sugar and eating a lot more vegetables. I also stopped washing my vagina because I read that the vagina is self-cleaning and soap only makes things worse."
This didn’t yield immediate results, but it did help her in the long run. "I have to admit, it didn’t go very smoothly. Cutting back on sugar is much easier said than done. But in the end, it was definitely worth it."
As a single mother with three children still at home and caring for her father, Sara found it difficult to relax more, but she knew it was necessary to take better care of herself. After all, stress has a negative impact on the immune system.
"Who doesn’t experience stress in this hectic society? It’s just a lot," she says. "Still, I started scheduling more time for myself. On Saturday mornings, I get up early to exercise. When I get home, I make a healthy breakfast and sit on the sofa with a book. The kids know not to disturb me until 1:00 PM, and after that, I’m available again."
Just as my first yeast infection cleared up, the next problem started: a bacterial infection. I really thought: again?
Finally, Sara sought professional advice on supplements she could take during this phase of her life. "My vitamin D levels turned out to be low, so now I take extra vitamin D. I also take magnesium and red clover. Magnesium is good for my immune system and helps prevent infections. Plus, it helps me sleep better, which I really needed," she says with a laugh. "I also take red clover. It’s a kind of natural oestrogen, as it was explained to me, that reduces hot flushes."
How is she doing now? Well. Slowly but surely, her efforts are paying off, Sara says. "The vaginal infections haven’t completely disappeared, but they occur less frequently and are less severe. I’m so happy about that. And when one does pop up, I’m glad I can treat it with the medication from my doctor. And just as important: I feel more energetic and more positive about my health."
Perhaps you recognise some of the symptoms in this story. Are you wondering if you might be going through menopause? The menopause test can provide you with some initial answers.
