Tips and Treatments for Common Female Ailments

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Burn! You’re pretty darn lucky if you’ve reached (or passed) your teens without fearing a trip to the loo because of the dreaded burning sensation associated with a UTI.  Luckily, nature has a balancing symptom to prevent you from ‘holding on’ out of fear, as when you’ve got to pee…the urge is urgent!

Possible Causes: Most UTIs are caused by bacteria infecting the urinary tract. Susceptibility increases during pregnancy, after sexual intercourse (that’s why you should always try to ‘go’ after sex, even if the urge or energy isn’t there…)

Diet: Avoid alcohol, caffeine, refined or processed food, citrus fruits and refined sugars. Include celery, parsley, blueberries and watermelon in your diet

Supplements: Vitamin C, Garlic capsules, Colloidal silver

Herbs: Cranberry capsules (the sugar from juice products actually increase bacterial growth), Uva Ursi, Buchu and Goldenseal

Other: Drink at least one glass of quality water every hour to help ‘flush’ the infection out

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

They say that variety is the spice of life, but when it comes to bowel movements, cramps and the runs one day and then constipation and bloating the next hardly sounds like fun diversity! Throw excessive gas into the mix, and you’ve got good reason to want to get on top of this bad boy. IBS affects about 1 in 5 adults, and causes, triggers, symptoms and treatments really do vary a lot with this one.

Possible causes: Stress, food intolerances, poor diet, accumulation of toxins and mucous in the colon

Diet: Avoid all carbonated drinks, alcohol, coffee, fried foods, sugar, pastries, the additives ‘mannitol’ and ‘sorbitol’. Limit your consumption of gas-producing foods such as beans, broccoli, and cabbage. Eat a high-fiber diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables, plus whole-grains and legumes, oat-bran and flaxseed oil

Supplements: Acidophilus, Slippery elm

Herbs: Licorice, Peppermint, Aloe vera, Chamomile, Ginger

Other: Chew your food well and don’t overeat or eat in a hurry/when stressed!

Candidiasis/Thrush

It’s not something you rock up to a coffee catch up with your girls and announce when they ask how you’re going ‘Pretty uncomfortable actually. I’ve got an itchy vagina and weird discharge and apparently there is an overgrowth of fungus happening down there. But hi Lovelies!’ It’s fair to say that it’s an embarrassing subject, but the reality is, again, being a female, we’re likely to have suffered an overgrowth of Candida at some stage in our life. And so probably too have our friends, Mums, sisters…

Possible causes: Food allergies, a diet high in sugars, antibiotic use, oral contraceptive use, low immunity, stress, sexual intercourse (it can be transmitted by partners)

Diet: Eat unsweetened, acidophilus yoghurt, loads of garlic, vegetables, fish and gluten-free grains such as brown rice and millet. Limit fruit to 1 piece per day. Avoid aged cheeses, alcohol, baked goods, yeast, chocolate, dried fruits, fermented foods, mushrooms, sugar and honey

Supplements: Probiotics, Oregano oil

Herbs: Pau d’Arco, Goldenseal, Olive leaf, Aniseed, Aloe vera juice

Other: Avoid wearing underwear made from synthetic materials. Opt for natural, white cotton instead

Low-Libido

First up, this is such a normal and natural affliction to hit us at some stage of our lives or relationships…so don’t panic! You can turn around a lack of ‘turn on’ and get amped up for some lovin’…

Possible causes: Emotional stress, hormonal imbalances or changes, depression, menopause, fatigue, pregnancy, alcohol overuse.

Diet: Oysters actually have a deserved rep for being an aphrodisiac! They’re high in zinc, which raises testosterone production and they also contain dopamine, a hormone known to increase libido. Chocolatecontains a natural chemical that helps produce the feeling of “being in love”. Choose, dark, organic chocolate for the best results! Garlic contains allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow to the sexual organs. Bad on the breath, but good for the sex-drive! You can always give the odourless capsules a go if you don’t want to have to stock up on mints pre love sesh…

Supplements: Maca berry, odorless garlic capsules

Herbs: Damiana, Horny Goat Weed, Ginseng

Other: Try the powerful aromatherapy aphrodisiac combo of Ylang ylang, Neroli and Sandalwood.

Sweet Cravings

Who doesn’t crave a little sweetness in their life? We can argue that it is literally ingrained in us since birth as a Mother’s milk is sweet, nourishing and comforting…so what can we tend to do as adults? Turn to sugary treats when we are feeling sad, lonely and stressed. Sometimes, those sweet cravings can turn from innocent to savage pretty quickly though!

Possible causes: Blood sugar abnormalities, depression, stress, Candida overgrowth

Diet: Include healthy protein options with all of your meals (eg. eggs, lean meats, fish, nuts and seeds, tofu, legumes and quinoa). This balances your blood sugar levels meaning that you don’t have a major ‘sugar slump’ a few hours after eating, which inevitably leaves you reaching for that choc bar!

Supplements: Chromium, Zinc

Herbs: Gymnema, fenugreek

Other: Address your stress. If your food cravings hit when you’re anxious or stressed, seek consolation in other ways. What is it that you really need? A comforting conversation with a co-worker, a walk, or a shoulder massage from a friend may do the job

Cellulite

The ‘dimple effect’ is best prevented by reducing the size of fat cells through diet and exercise; improving circulation to the effected area; and increasing the integrity of the connective tissue structures. Remember that most females ‘suffer’ from cellulite at some stage of their life, or on some part of their body. Be confident and smile…create the most beautiful lines and dimples and proudly share them with the world.

Possible causes: Weakened connective tissue, bad circulation, increased fat cells, lack of exercise, poor diet

Diet: It’s very important to eat a diet high in complex carbohydrates (eg. brown rice, whole wheat, wholegrain oats, millet, quinoa) and low in refined carbohydrates (eg. sugar, white breads/baked goods).

Supplements: Essential fatty acids eg. fish oils

Massage and Exercise: Self-massage is really beneficial – make sure that you massage towards the heart for best results. Also, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 5 days a week

Acne

Acne is the most common skin problem in the world, and, unfortunately it’s not just exclusive to your teenage years. It can be so distressing and really knock your self-confidence to the floor, so combined with a quality skincare regime, natural support can go a long way in clearing up your skin.

Possible causes: Hormonal disturbances, stress, poor diet, Candidiasis, allergies, hydrogenated fats, some types of drugs (eg. steroids)

Diet: Eat a high-fiber diet, increase your intake of raw foods, eat more foods rich in zinc including shellfish, whole grains, sunflower seeds. Avoid alcohol, butter, caffeine, fried foods, hydrogenated oils and soft drinks and sugar.

Supplements: Probiotics, Essential fatty acids, Vitamin A, Zinc, Vitamin E

Herbs: Burdock root, Dandelion leaves, Milk thistle, Red clover, Chaste tree berry

Other: Don’t squeeze! Get a around 15 minutes of sunshine a day, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep

Headaches

Headaches are as common as the common cold and flu which is probably why the ol’ ‘Not tonight honey, I’ve got a headache’ call is so often joked about being the excuse for not wanting to make love (not that you need one, of course!) Headaches a hard one to treat, as the causes are so numerable and the pain and experience is so subjective. Whether it’s thumping, pounding, drilling, piercing, or stabbing pain, it’s soothing to know that there are some natural preventatives to (hopefully) keep you away from painkillers…

Possible causes: Stress, tension, anxiety, allergies, constipation, coffee consumption, eyestrain, hunger, sinus pressure, muscle tension, hormonal imbalance, and alcohol consumption

Diet: Eat a well-balanced diet, including protein with every meal. To help prevent headaches, eat small, healthy snack between meals to help stablise blood sugar levels. Avoid chewing gum; consuming ice-cream and iced beverages, MSG, artificial sweeteners

Supplements: Calcium and Magnesium, Evening Primrose oil, Bromelain, Vitamin B6

Herbs: Chamomile, Gingko biloba, Guarana, Ginger, Meadowsweet, Skullcap

Other: Apply cold compresses to the spot from which the pain is radiating. This helps relieve headaches by constricting blood vessels and easing muscle spasms. Leave a damp facecloth in the freezer for ten minutes or use a cold gel-pack.

Live well, live long, live naturally

Renée