Vestibulitis causes swelling, redness and pain in the opening or lower part of the vagina. Although the precise cause remains unknown, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, UIHC, the condition has been linked with recurrent yeast and bacterial infections, chronic use of irritants such as soaps, lubricants or spermicides, and the human papilloma virus. In addition to topical ointments and chemical injections, a low-oxalate diet may reduce your symptoms. Before changing your diet, seek guidance from your doctor.
Function
Oxalates are substances that occur naturally from various foods. Although they are generally harmless, it is believed that a high concentration of oxalates in your urine can contribute to vestibulitis symptoms. Because supporting clinical evidence is limited, a "British Medical Journal" report published in May 2004 suggests a low-oxalate diet as an alternative treatment option for women who are averse to medical treatment. You can also use a low-oxalate diet as a complementary treatment to support conventional medical care.
Guidelines
An ideal low-oxalate diet limits your oxalate intake to 40 mg to 50 mg per day, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Drink plenty of water daily, because proper hydration allows your body to flush excess oxalates out through urine. And, because your body may turn excess vitamin C into oxalate, avoid high supplemental doses, or more than 2,000 mg, of vitamin C per day. To improve your body's ability to resist and heal from infections and illness, consume antioxidant-rich foods.
Foods to Limit
Although you need not eliminate oxalates from your diet, the UPMC recommends limiting high-oxalate foods, which contain more than 10 mg per serving. High-oxalate fruits include berries, except for fresh strawberries; currents, figs, kiwi, fruit cocktail and tangerines. Vegetables high in oxalates include beans, beets, eggplant, celery, peppers, potatoes, squash, carrots, Swiss chard, spinach, olives and zucchini. High-fiber cereals, pretzels, wheat, soy and cow's milk, nuts, coffee, chocolate, black pepper and soy sauce are also oxalate-rich.
Helpful Foods
Antioxidant-rich, low-oxalate foods include avocados, mangoes, papaya, peaches, prunes, asparagus, cabbage, mustard greens and cherry, grapefruit and cranberry juices. The UIHC suggests drinking 8 oz. of cranberry juice per day for improved vestibulitis symptoms. Wheat-free grain products, such as barley, wild rice and whole grain rice cereal, are low in oxalates and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. You can also enjoy herbal tea, natural seasonings, such as herbs and spices, honey, poultry, lean red meat and fish other than sardines.
