Navigating Holistic Summertime Vaginal Health with Dr. Jessica Nazareth, ND

In this episode, Dr. Jess is back!! Dr. Jess is a naturopathic doctor in Ontario, who is going to help us zoom in to the topic of vaginal health in warm weather from a holistic approach. We’ll address some listener questions about reproductive and vulval/vaginal health, and chat about how the products we use and the weather outside can affect our skin and hormones. Our most-asked question was: “What does someone need to do to keep everything clean in the summer?” First, Dr. Jess helps us deep dive into the products we’re using, so we can know how to avoid toxins and pH-altering ingredients. Some common problematic ingredients in lotions, wipes and lubes are glycerin (which can cause yeast overgrowth), chemical fragrances (which may damage the vaginal mucosa), parabens, and other endocrine disruptors (which can mess with out hormone levels). “Less is more” when it comes to taking care of our vulvas. Past marketing gimmicks like douching are not helpful or necessary, and the labia minora usually only need to be washed with water. Vaginal deodorants are very, very rarely needed for anyone. Warmer weather can lead to more showers, more shaving, and more wipes, so Dr. Jess suggests that this might be one of the reasons some people see eczema, dermatitis and other irritation on their skin in sensitive areas during the hotter months. We also talk about how to be intentional around our clothing. Organic cotton underwear is usually a healthier choice than sporting spandex, lacy undies and super tight shorts non-stop. Plus, swapping out wet swimsuit bottoms for something dry as soon as you can may help reduce your change of yeast infection. Another question that came in was: “Can you get sunburnt in that area, and what should you do to avoid that?” Dr. Jess teaches us that for those of us removing hair, we do need to keep in mind that the skin is thinner there, and way more sensitive than other skin. So make sure you look for a natural sunscreen (they’re usually zinc-oxide based), and don’t over-do it with the sun exposure between 10 am and 2 pm. Finally, we look at this question: “When do I need to go to the doctor, and when is it ok to self-diagnose?” Research shows that candida albicans (a common yeast) is growing a resistance to over-the-counter anti-yeast treatments, and that around 75% of people who self-conclude they’re dealing primarily with a yeast infection are incorrect. So, Dr. Jess recommends reaching out to a practitioner that you can trust whenever that’s possible. Connect with Dr. Jess: IG --> @drjessnd Website --> https://jessicanazareth.com/