First and foremost... mommy, if you’re reading this, stop now. We’re getting into some real topics today and I don’t want you to be repulsed. But trust me, I’m doing this for educational purposes. I love you and I miss you and I wish you were here right now. (No, she’s not dead, guys. She’s just in another state for the day.) You can continue reading if you want but, I’m just warning you. Now... back to our scheduled programming.

Funny, right? Well, I thought so, too. Then, I got to this ignorance in the comments...

Click here to see my actual blog post for today , below is kind of a rant

September 2, 2018

Yeast infections are uncomfortable and can occur at any time and for any reason. Some common reasons are:

● Too tight clothing/underwear

● Use of the wrong type of soaps or douches

● Antibiotic intake. ● Pregnancy

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I even had to step in and speak some knowledge myself and this 15 year old appeared but rest assured, he got spoken to and corrected...

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So, I decided, today, we’re going to talk about yeast infections and maybe possibly shed a little light on vaginal health in general. Clearly, people are uneducated and what we aren’t going to do is shame anybody for going through things that really can’t be controlled such as yeast infections. I did some research and here are some facts:

So, I was scrolling on Instagram and saw this post.

It is said that at least 75% of women have Candida inside of them as we speak. Around 5% of women have 4 or more yeast infections in a year. TMI? Sorry but, you need to know this. YEAST INFECTIONS ARE A PART OF FRIGGIN’ LIFE PEOPLE. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Yes, it CAN be gross. Yes, mainly women get it. But, it’s NORMAL and nothing to shame anyone about. There is a difference between a yeast infection and BV, though.

Neither yeast infection or BV makes you “dirty” and you shouldn’t feel ashamed for having either. Please clean your flowers regularly, though. Me, personally, I use only warm water down there and I stay fresh and clean. I used to use Summer’s Eve but it was kind of a waste considering warm water and a towel can achieve the same effects for free. I have not ever, and probably won’t ever use a douche. Do NOT let anyone with dirty, crusty fingernails touch your precious treasure. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT keep on dirty or wet panties for any longer than you HAVE to. The absence of any discharge whatsoever over the span of a few days is NOT healthy. Discharge is the vagina’s way of cleaning itself out. Do NOT put lotion inside of your vagina or too closely to the vaginal opening. It can easily cause an infection. If he isn’t clean, DO NOT LET HIM INSIDE YOU GIRL. And I mean it. An unclean penis can also cause issues with your pH balance and have you uncomfortable.

Yeast infections can be treated with kits that can be found at most grocery/drug stores for less than $30. They usually come with suppositories and a cream to help with the itching and discomfort. I’ve used one that lasts for 3 days. It came with 3 suppositories, 3 applicators, and a tube of topical antifungal, anti-itch cream. I ended up only using it for two days because the third suppository wouldn't stay in place but it worked still. I’m actually on antibiotics as we speak and I am expecting a yeast infection, honestly, because I don’t normally take medications. My body always reacts to antibiotics this way so I am not ashamed to admit it. I will post about my experience with whatever kit I end up getting once that time comes. My goal is to

help people and not have anyone feeling bad about themselves over things that are normal so I don’t mind sharing such delicate parts of my life with my Illumiyati. (Yes, my supporters/fans/whatever you want to call yourselves is called the Illumiyati. Welcome to the Illumiyati, guys. Glad to have ya!) But, if you don’t want to go through with the suppositories, you could just buy a tube of anti-fungal and anti-itch cream. I use Vagisil. I put about a pea sized amount on a few CLEAN Q tips and apply it that way instead of using my hands. I think it’s cleaner that way. But, if you MUST use your hands, please wash them thoroughly first. Any germs from your hands can and will add to the problem.

I don’t plan on buying a kit to treat my yeast infection until I finish my antibiotics because it’ll just come back and it would’ve been a waste of money. The Vagisil helps a lot but petroleum jelly (vaseline) or anything petroleum jelly like without fragrances would help soothe the irritation as well. I would get a bit on a Q tip still, though. I’ve also read that a tampon dipped in plain yogurt or a piece of garlic (used as a suppository) would help as well but I have not tried either of those methods before so it’s only a suggestion.

● MOST, but not all, yeast infections are caused by the organism Candida Albicans.

● It CAN be transmitted through sex but it isn’t deemed a STD because even people who aren’t sexually active can get it.

● MEN can also, have yeast infections. Not only women.

● The main symptoms are itching, burning, discharge and some discomfort. Pain during urination and sexual intercourse is also not unheard of.

● It can be treated with topical and/or oral antifungal medications.

IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH, HAVE A WEAK STOMACH, OR SIMPLY JUST NOT INTERESTED IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, SKIP OVER THIS PARAGRAPH.

Yeast infections usually stem from certain circumstances altering your pH balance or otherwise irritating the vagina. BV, bacterial vaginosis, comes from the overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Only women get BV considering men don’t have vaginas but I can look further into men’s taboo reproductive issues later on if the demand is there. Where yeast infections are characterized by a “yeasty/bread” smell and a grayish, dim white, cottage cheese like discharge whereas, BV is characterized by an abnormally large amount a thin grayish white discharge, a fishy or otherwise foul odor, and these symptoms are often intensified after sexual intercourse. The traits that makes the two almost difficult to differentiate between is the fact that they both cause discharge and itchiness in the vagina. The smell may be your best bet at knowing what you have without consulting a specialist BUT, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be attempting to self diagnose so just look out for the smell. But, do as I say and not as I do, if you’re feeling unhealthy “down there” and want to know for sure that everything is alright with your girl, GO SEE A SPECIALIST. Not everything is cancer or an STD or pregnancy. And even if it is, God forbid, it’s best to catch those things as early as possible.