Cosmopolitan South Africa — January 2018

PHOTOGRAPHY

SCOPE BEAUTY/JHP

COMPILED BY

SARAH BROWNING

• DE VILLIERS

HEALTH

Candida infection has also

been linked to wearing tight

synthetic clothing. Tips for

avoiding yeast infections

this summer: slow down

on sugar and refi ned carbs,

avoid tight-fi tting clothing

(especially wet costumes),

take a probiotic (available

over-the-counter) or eat

natural yoghurt. If you

get frequent infections,

see a doctor to ensure

all’s well down there.

Does waxing

increase my chance

of infections and STIs?

The only thing that can

cause an STI is an infection

transmitted through sexual

contact. However, waxing

can (and does) cause micro-

trauma to skin, especially in

delicate areas, which means

you’ll have less of a barrier to

infection if you are exposed

to an STI. If you’re hooking

up this summer, be aware

of any open sores or broken

skin in your bikini area:

it makes you more vulnerable

to infections. Ideally, avoid

sex until they’re healed.

Andalwayswearacondom!

I get really

sweaty down there

in summer. What

can I do to reduce

moisture and odour?

Your vagina sweats like

anywhere else in the body.

Reduce sweating by wearing

loose-fi tting clothing and

cotton underwear. Opt for

loose skirts on hot days

to allow skin to breathe –

and go commando at night

if possible (or try boxers).

By reducing sweating,

you’ll also reduce odour.

I hate wearing a

swimming costume.

I feel that highlights

my labia, which ‘stick

out’. What’s ‘normal’

here – and what

can I do to feel

less self-conscious?

Women’s bodies come

in all shapes and sizes –

and so do vaginas and labia

(the folds of skin around the

vagina). Trying to model

ourselves on something

perceived as ‘normal’ is like

expecting everyone to look

like supermodels. It’s likely

you’re the only person who

notices your labia, and that

you have nothing to worry

about. Try boy shorts as

bikini bottoms, or loose

shorts over a swimsuit if

you’re really self-conscious.

If you experience irritation

or painful sex, see a gynae

to fi nd out whether you’re

a candidate for labiaplasty,

a procedure that removes

excess tissue around the

vagina (and may boost body

confi dence). Bottom line?

Everyone is different, and

we all have labia of varying

sizes. There is no ‘normal’!

Swimming in

summer increases

the number of UTIs

I get. Is there anything

I can do that doesn’t

involve living at the

doctor and being

on antibiotics?

Because of our anatomy,

we women are more prone

to urinary tract infections

than men are. Some ways

to avoid the burn include

changing out of a wet

swimsuit as soon as you

can after swimming; staying

hydrated in the sun (cocktails

don’t count!); emptying your

bladder after sex; and always

wiping from front to back.

Drinking cranberry juice

or a urinary alkaliniser such

as Citro-Soda may also help

(although this hasn’t been

categorically proven). ■

For more about Lila and

its services, visit Lila.co.za

or call 021 911 5388.

I get so many
yeastinfectionsin

summer. What gives?

Yeast infections, caused
by Candida albicans, bother
many women – but it’s
important to know they
aren’t STIs. They’re treatable

• just very uncomfy! If you’re
  pregnant, diabetic, immuno-
  compromised (for example,
  if you’re HIV-positive) or on
  the contraceptive pill, you’re
  more likely to be prone to
  yeast infections, or thrush.

E-MAIL YOUR GYNAE QUESTIONS TO [email protected]

OR TWEET US YOUR QUERY @COSMOPOLITANSA #ASKAGYNAE

Meet Dr Lindi Murray
and Dr Ilana Johnson

• our COSMO gynae
  gurus. Together, these
  clued-up ladies own
  Lila, an ob/gyn clinic
  in Cape Town – and
  they’re here to answer
  all your questions

#Ask

aGynae