Aunt Vadge: Am I cutting myself shaving or is a yeast infection?

TL;DR

Addressing a common concern, this article explores the dilemma of distinguishing between cuts caused by shaving and those resulting from yeast infections. It dispels fears of other conditions like herpes, highlighting the likelihood of yeast infections causing such symptoms. The piece provides a comprehensive guide on treating recurrent yeast infections with a focus on biofilms and recommends a combination of probiotics and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for effective management and prevention.

Hi Aunt Vadge, 

So about a week or so ago I was shaving my vaginal area, I don’t think I felt anything get slit but I’ve been noticing these cuts/slits, and they sting when I touch them but that’s it. Right now there’s about four or five of them. I can’t tell if it’s from shaving or something else.

I was diagnosed with a yeast infection the other day (they are recurrent yeast infections) and although I’ve heard of getting slits and cuts from yeast infections, I’m kind of scared that it’s herpes. My last girlfriend had unprotected sex with somebody who had herpes, and I didn’t know until after we had already had sex. She said she got it taken care of. But I don’t know, that was two years ago and this is the first time I’ve noticed anything.

Yours,
Cut
Age: 20
Country/Area: United States

_____

Hi there Cut,

It seems very unlikely to be you cutting yourself shaving (you would know if it was that) or herpes, but very likely to be a result of a yeast infection. Yeast infections are famous for causing cuts. I’ve literally just answered this here, and your answer is exactly the same – recurrent yeast infections have a root, often, in biofilms, so your treatment needs to get rid of the biofilm that keeps your yeast infection returning time and time again.

This treatment will cost some upfront money, so have a look around for something you can afford if you are on a budget. (And if you are really stuck, write back to me and we’ll see if we can tweak this treatment a bit.)

You will need:

  • A good women’s probiotic designed to get rid of yeast – ask at your local health food store for a good one. It should be in the fridge. At first, until your symptoms go away, take 2-4 capsules per day with food, to help resolve the immediate problem, but then continue to take at least two per day either at once or morning and night for as long as the bottle lasts. If you still have symptoms after a whole bottle of probiotics, you need to write back to me/see another doctor, because there is something else happening.
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which you should take orally on an empty stomach, 2-4 grams per day, for about three months. If you get the crystals, mix them with water and drink it, but tablets will also be fine. (I prefer the crystals – it also works in your mouth too, so if you have plaque, the NAC will break down the biofilm that is plaque on your teeth – it’s pretty great stuff!)

Things to know:

  • You may feel a tiny bit nauseous from the NAC, but it passes and it’s not bad for you at all – in fact, it’s really good for you.
  • Biofilms are a major cause of chronic, recurrent yeast and other vaginal infections.
  • A biofilm is a slimy coating on your inside cells that is created by a fungus or bacteria. It gives them a safe place to stay.
  • Your good bacteria also create biofilms, but can get knocked around by antibiotics and crappy food.
  • You can use the probiotics both vaginally and orally, but if you use them vaginally, make sure they are in veggie caps, not gelatin caps, because gelatin must be broken down by acid (like stomach acid), because it’s a protein, whereas veggie caps are broken down in a neutral pH like water, and your vagina.
  • Try adding in some live yoghurt to your diet on a regular basis (check the label and make sure it’s alive!).
  • Cut back on carbs (potato, white rice, sugar, wheat, bread, pasta) for a few days at the start of your treatment, and any time that you feel a yeast infection coming on later in life. Remove the food source and you remove the fuel for the bloom.

You need good bacteria to keep yeast at bay, but you also need to address your biofilms, so this combination of treatments should take care of that properly. After, if the job has been done right, you will no longer get yeast infections, despite trigger activities (often that’s certain foods, sugar, bread, beer).

Write back if you want to talk over your treatment.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge  



SHARE YOUR CART