Is it effective to prevent vaginitis by eating cranberries and probiotics? Doctors reveal: How to improve vaginal immunity

The weather is hot and humid in the morning, and women are prone to repeated attacks of vaginitis. Vaginal discharge increases, and it is always wet and sticky, which is very troublesome. There are many myths about diet in the market to prevent vaginitis infection, such as, is eating cranberries really effective? Can supplementing with probiotics also prevent vaginitis? Does it really work? Let’s hear what Zhou Ning, a nutritionist at Daqian General Hospital, has to say.

Poor immunity can lead to vaginitis caused by yeast infection

Vaginitis is a common gynecological disease that may occur at any time of the year, among which Candidal vaginitis is particularly common. Candida is a common fungus in the vagina. Before, during, and after menstruation, when vaginal acidity decreases and the normal balance between good and bad bacteria in the vagina is disrupted, the number of Candida increases rapidly and causes infection.

Zhou Ning, a nutritionist at Daqian General Hospital, said that the main characteristic of Candida infection is grayish white cheese-like leucorrhea, which is extremely itchy. Other possible symptoms include: acute inflammation, burning pain, swelling, urination, pain during sexual intercourse, and sleep disturbance. Candida infection often occurs in women with poor immunity, such as diabetics and pregnant women, and may also occur if you wear pants that are too tight.

The main characteristic of Candida infection is grayish white cheese-like vaginal discharge and extreme itching. Other possible symptoms include: acute inflammation, burning pain, swelling, urination, sexual intercourse pain and sleep disturbance.

Improve vaginal immunity, good hygiene habits + proper diet

To prevent recurrence of vaginitis, in addition to implementing good living and hygiene habits, including: quitting smoking, regular exercise, stress management, keeping the perineum dry, wearing cotton underwear, and refraining from sanitary napkins during non-menstrual periods, proper diet can also enhance the immunity of the vulva, preventing bacteria and fungi from attacking in large numbers and inducing the annoying vaginitis.

What foods can help prevent vaginitis? Nutritionist Zhou Ning recommends maintaining a balanced diet and eating more natural fresh fruits and vegetables. She also analyzes the three methods that are popular in the market:

Option 1: Does eating cranberries really help?

Cranberry contains extremely high levels of natural anthocyanins (concentrated tannic acid), which can prevent bacteria in the urine and urinary tract from adhering to the walls of the urethra, making it easier for the bacteria to be excreted from the body with urine, thereby reducing the risk of urinary tract infection. In principle, drinking cranberry juice mainly reduces the risk of urethritis infection, but is not so effective for vaginitis. However, in terms of the female physiological structure, the vagina and urethra are very close, and the chance of concurrent infection is very high. Therefore, while cranberry can reduce the risk of urethritis infection, it can also reduce the occurrence of vaginitis.

Cranberry can reduce the incidence of urethritis while also reducing the incidence of vaginitis.

Option 2: Does supplementing with probiotics work?

There are normal lactic acid bacteria in the normal vagina, which maintain the pH value at a weakly acidic environment of 3.8 to 4.2, forming a natural protective barrier that can inhibit the excessive reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and prevent the early onset of infection, inflammation, and aging and dryness. When the basophilic bacteria in the private parts are active and the native lactobacilli in the body cannot resist the foreign bad bacteria, vaginal infection is likely to occur.

Many people believe that taking lactic acid bacteria or probiotic products, just like taking care of the stomach and intestines, can also help balance the flora ecology in the vagina and prevent vaginal infections. Nutritionist Zhou Ning explained that lactic acid bacteria are a healthy species of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Appropriate supplementation is indeed beneficial to gastrointestinal health, but whether the effect can last into the vagina still needs more empirical data to support it. Even if it helps, the health care effect may be very small, and it can only be used for prevention and cannot be compared with the effect of therapeutic medication.

Therefore, if you are experiencing an attack of vaginitis, you should quickly seek treatment from an obstetrician and gynecologist. Do not be overly superstitious about the effects of probiotic products and miss the opportunity to receive early treatment and restore your "little sister"'s health as soon as possible.

Don't be overly superstitious about the effects of probiotic products and miss the opportunity to receive early treatment and restore your baby's health as soon as possible.

Option 3: Is it okay to take vitamin B complex and C?

Vitamin B group is related to the production of antibodies, white blood cells and complement in the human body. Vitamin B group is used to supply cells for proliferation, oxidation and reduction. In particular, B2, B5 (also known as pantothenic acid), B6 ​​and folic acid are related to maintaining the health of cell mucosa, producing antibodies and other immune functions. Therefore, appropriate supplementation of B group can enhance immunity and prevent vaginitis infection.

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and anti-aging nutrient for the body. It has the function of removing peroxides and reactive oxygen free radicals produced by oxidative stress in the body. Supplementing with an appropriate amount of vitamin C can help the formation of collagen in body tissues, promote wound healing and reduce the risk of infection. In addition, it can enhance the phagocytic function of white blood cells in the body and increase antibody formation, promote the maintenance of the human immune system, and thus prevent the occurrence of vaginitis.