An infant can develop a vaginal yeast infection from an overgrowth of the fungi that thrive naturally in and on the body. Oral thrush, a yeast infection of the mouth, can lead to vaginal yeast infection when the fungi is passed through the feces...
Bacterial vaginosis is actually quite common. With vaginosis, the bacteria that are normally in small amounts in the vaginal area grow, replacing other kinds of bacteria that keep the pH of the vagina steady. Symptoms include itching, fishy odor,...
Echinacea is a commonly used herbal remedy in the United States whose use in traditional medicine dates back to the American Indians, says the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. In addition to its broad use in relieving cold and flu symptoms,...
Competitive female athletes may fear that during pregnancy they need to stop exercising, give up their fitness training goals and resign themselves to growing fat and flabby. Fortunately, though, a serious woman athlete can remain fit even during...
Advertising is notorious for telling women that their bodies are unclean and that they would benefit from a myriad of personal and feminine hygiene products. This isn't just a recent trend. Advertisers in the 1950s told women they would have...
Vaginitis is an infection of vagina that can be caused by fungi or bacteria. The fungal infection is caused by a disruption in normally occurring organisms of vagina. According to University of Maryland Medical Center, fungal vaginal infection...
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that results from an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterium found in the vagina. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal...
Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is a bacterial overgrowth that leads to uncomfortable vaginal symptoms, including itching and discharge with odor. While the primary treatment for BV is antibiotics, other treatments include use of probiotics to...
Feminine odor is an embarrassing problem that can be difficult to treat. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection such as trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis. These infections often occur in women trying to prevent feminine odor by using...
A woman's body must prepare for conception. It must nurture and release the egg that will become fertilized. The process by which a woman's ovaries release an egg is known as ovulation, and it marks the only time frame during the menstrual cycle...
The vulva comprises the area around the opening of the vagina, including the opening itself, the clitoris, the vaginal lips or labia, and mons pubis, the pad of fatty tissue over the pubic bone. Vestibulitis means irritation or inflammation of the...
In the months leading up to labor and delivery, your focus was on growing a healthy baby and getting through the childbirth experience with minimal pain and complications. But now that the baby has arrived, you are no doubt thinking about getting...
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or Group B strep, is a type of bacteria found in 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women, says the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). GBS can be passed to the baby during labor and delivery. The...
Every pregnant woman should gain some weight during pregnancy. The baby, placenta, amniotic fluid and normal maternal fat stores are the reasons for this weight gain. If you were a normal body weight when you got pregnant, you should gain 25 to 30...
Women should have a Pap smear test done at least once per year. A doctor, physician assistant, nurse midwife or nurse practitioner administers the exam. Women are asked to remove their clothing or at least undress from the waist down and cover up...
It's a popular and unfortunate misconception that the vagina is dirty, fishy or otherwise unclean. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that needs little care and maintenance to keep itself healthy. Feminine odor does happen, but can usually be...
Vaginal bleeding after menopause is considered abnormal, according to HealthCentral.com, a website that empowers woman to improve and take control of their health and well-being. Vaginal bleeding after menopause occurs when irritated vaginal...
Probiotics are live micro-organisms that can be beneficial to your health. Acidophilus, also known by its scientific name Lactobacillus acidophilus or L. acidophilus, is the most commonly used probiotic. Other micro-organisms that are often used...
Candida, a yeast-like fungus, lives in every person's body and normally does not cause any issues. Sometimes it can grow unchecked and excess can build up in areas like the vagina, intestines and mouth. Some health care practitioners believe...
Exercise during pregnancy can boost your mood and increase your energy level, as well as alleviate backache, constipation and bloating. Exercise might even help you have a smoother and easier delivery. Although sedentary expecting moms might worry...
Most times, vaginal dryness can be treated by using an over-the-counter lubricating product. These lubricants prove especially helpful for use during sexual activity. When using the lubricant, place a moderate amount of the substance on your...
The Mayo Clinic reports nearly 60 percent of women experience pain from intercourse. Genital pain that is experienced before, during and/or after sexual intercourse and causes personal distress is considered dyspareunia. However, the levels of...
The moist, slightly acidic environment of a normal, healthy vagina supports a population of bacteria, protozoa and yeast living together in balance. Factors such as exposure to allergens, harsh chemicals, or infectious agents can alter the normal...
Vaginal discharge is common among women in their child-bearing years, states the National Institutes of Health. The texture, color and odor of vaginal discharge may vary within normal parameters, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle....
Many women have hemorrhoids after giving birth. This is due to pushing the baby out of the birth canal. Make sure you're keeping the area as clean as possible after a bowel movement. Using Tucks pads or similar pads is very helpful. You should...
Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, urethra, uterus, and rectum in the so-called pelvic floor region of the body. Doctors often recommend Kegel exercises for urinary incontinence or overactive bladder syndrome in both...
Methods of inducing labor should only be attempted under the advice of a medical professional and once the pregnancy has reached or exceeded 37 weeks to ensure the baby is fully developed. Medical inductions are usually performed after 40 weeks...
The female condom is a plastic pouch inserted into the vagina for purposes of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Female condoms first became available in the United States in 1988. This type of birth control is effective...
Vaginal itching can be the result of a number of causes. Dry skin, irritants such as creams and soap, too-tight jeans and infections can all create uncomfortable itching. Before turning to any kind of natural remedy, you need to find the source...