Fungal infections in the genital area affect women all year round, but during the summer, the infections increase.
If you have many fungal infections, you may have an increased risk of developing pain in the long run, says senior physician Cathrin Alvendal.
75 percent of all women get fungal infections in the genital area at some point in their lives, and 8 to 10 percent get what is called recurrent fungal infections or chronic fungal infections. This means having more than three fungal infections per year.
If you have many fungal infections and do not treat them properly, you may unfortunately get other problems later on, such as pain during intercourse, explains Cathrin Alvendal, senior physician at the women's clinic's vulva team at Danderyds Hospital.
The pain condition is called vulvodynia (formerly vestibulitis). About half of those with vulvodynia have a history of recurrent fungal infections.
If you have had a fungal infection, recognize the symptoms, and do not get them often, it is enough to go to the pharmacy and buy prescription-free medication. But if you have recurring problems, Cathrin Alvendal recommends contacting a gynecologist to get better treatment.
Chronic fungal infections are a concern for many patients as they get their fungal infections back despite long-term treatments.
Summer tips against fungal infections
It's probably a myth that it's much worse in the summer, but it's a bit more common compared to the rest of the year, she emphasizes.
Mainly, it's about the fact that it's warmer and that you change your lifestyle during the holidays. For example, you bathe more and wear wet swimwear.
You should avoid the tissue in the genital area drying out. With many summer baths and without re-moisturizing the mucous membrane, it becomes dry easily.
When you shower, you should absolutely not use soap in the genital area, as it dries out, but use a little oil that becomes a protective layer, advises Cathrin Alvendal.
With summer heat plus tight clothing, it becomes confined for the tissue in the genital area, which needs to breathe.
Why do you get fungal infections?
Some people are more prone to getting fungal infections. Exactly what it depends on is unknown, but there are some risk factors: pregnancy, impaired immune system, other skin diseases, such as eczema in the vulva area, diabetes, and antibiotic treatments.
If you have an increased tendency to get fungal infections and the mucous membrane is exposed to a lot of friction, it can trigger a fungal infection.
Then it doesn't matter if it's about having a lot of sex for a period or wearing very tight clothes or cycling a lot, explains Cathrin Alvendal.
Fungal infections are present in many women's normal flora in the genital area. If you have fungal infections that cause symptoms, it's called a fungal infection - something all women can be affected by, regardless of how the flora in the genital area looks.
Fungal infections are not classified as a sexually transmitted disease, and sexual partners do not need to be treated if they are symptom-free.
For a long time, it was believed that sugar intake increased the risk of fungal infections, but there is no scientific evidence that it has anything to do with diet.
There are home remedies that are said to help against fungal infections in the genital area. Some of the most well-known are yogurt and honey, but there is no research that shows it would help. But it's not harmful to try, thinks Cathrin Alvendal.
Source: Cathrin Alvendal, senior physician, women's clinic, Danderyds Hospital.
