My dear friend,
Today we tackle a topic that affects all of us: candida and cystitis, two inflammations we have suffered from at least once! 😥
It often happens that I am asked whether the two are related, so today we will see if we can answer this fateful question.
In this article we will look at:
Ready? Let’s get started! 💪🏼
Candida affects about three out of four women at some point in their lives (usually between their twenties and thirties and during menopause), and half of them are affected more than once.
This infection causes symptoms such as:
Interestingly, some studies suggest that the use of pH-balanced intimate hygiene products can help prevent candida by maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.
But what is it caused by?
Candida is an infection caused by a yeast (called Candida), which normally lives in balance in the body; when this balance is disturbed, the yeast multiplies, causing the well-known symptoms of itching, burning and discharge.
It is often and frequently caused by taking antibiotics that threaten the bacterial flora and eliminate lactobacilli (good microorganisms in our bodies).
In the second and third places of causes instead we have:
In addition, it is important to note that hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, can increase susceptibility to candida.
To tell if it is candida, you can opt for vaginal swabs, common blood tests or urine tests.
To treat its symptoms, my advice is to apply our Dimann Comfort moisturizing and soothing cream, which is excellent for this condition, which, as you will soon find, is quite different from cystitis.
Let’s see why. 😊
Cystitis is a common urinary tract infection that most frequently affects women for a variety of reasons. In 80% of cases it is caused by a bacterium known as Escherichia coli.
Specifically, it is inflammation of the bladder mucosa caused by bacteria infecting the bladder (called severe cystitis) or inflammation caused by irritation.
Common symptoms include:
Remember that adequate fluid intake, particularly water, is essential to dilute urine and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
At this point you may be wondering what causes bacterial cystitis.
As I anticipated earlier, it is often caused by bacteria, and in most cases, it is E. coli. Then there are other intestinal bacteria-Klebsiella, Shigella, Salmonella, Proteus Mirabilis, etc. – that reproduce at the expense of the bladder mucosa.
It is important to note that some risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing cystitis, such as prolonged use of urinary catheters, being post-menopausal, or having a weakened immune system. In addition, certain conditions such as diabetes can make the urinary environment more conducive to the growth of bacteria.
Other times cystitis can be caused by poor intimate hygiene.
As you might imagine, an infection can easily develop if anus bacteria come in contact with the urethra (the small tube that carries urine from the bladder).
This is why it is crucial to always clean yourself starting from the vagina toward the anus and never the other way around. ❌
Keep in mind that the female urethra is much closer to the anus than the male urethra, so cystitis is much more likely to occur in women.
Finally, this inflammation can be caused subsequent to sexual intercourse (known as postcoital cystitis).
There are several ways to diagnose cystitis: one among them is urinoculture.
However, if you should not have the time to perform this test you can opt for urine sticks.
What are they?
These are a quick test to make an initial diagnosis and consist of strips that change color if they detect the presence of bacteria.
It is useful to know that urine sticks can also detect other important indicators such as nitrite, leukocyte and protein levels, which can provide additional clues to the presence of a urinary infection. In addition, for effective management of cystitis, it is advisable to take preventive measures such as drinking plenty of water, avoiding irritants such as coffee and alcohol, and maintaining good personal hygiene. Remember, prevention is just as important as treatment.
In addition to this, you may decide to consult your gynecologist or, alternatively, tell me your story. We Dimann girls take care of so many women, and sharing their experience helps them find the best solution for them.
Finally, you may decide to take the’Find Your Path’ test in which you will find out what the real causes of your cystitis are.
If you have any doubts or questions please do not hesitate to write to me, I would be happy to help you. 🥰
I give you a big hug,
Lorenza