Have you ever found yourself saying, “Not tonight, honey” not because you weren’t in the mood but because you were in pain down there? If you suffer from vaginal yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other chronic feminine problems, you may have picked up a package of Monistat or that new ‘RePHresh’ product that’s supposed to improve your vaginal pH. Unfortunately, you’re only worsening the problem.

Painful Sex Affects 1 in 4 Women

If sex is painful for you, you may view lovemaking as more of a chore than a joy. You’re not alone in your struggle. Millions of women just like you wonder why they can’t get rid of that terrible itching, burning, and swelling they feel all the time. According to statistics, a startling 1 in 4 women experience unexplained vaginal pain for at least a short period in their lifetime.

The Real Cause of That “Not So Fresh” Feeling

Using over-the-counter yeast creams, douches, and pH suppositories may mask your symptoms for a short while but they don’t do anything to address what’s causing them in the first place. If you have vaginal odor and discharge, this is a sign that something is going wrong in your body.

Once you’ve ruled out sexually transmitted disease, it’s important to look to your environment for the cause. Poor diet is a common contributor to vaginal yeast infections. Processed foods such as fast food, frozen meals, canned food, boxed food, and soda have little to know nutritional value and they are loaded with synthetic sweeteners and chemicals that harm your digestive system.

When your digestion is thrown out of whack and you’re not getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy, symptoms develop. They may be chronic headaches, back aches, stomachaches or gynecological problems. This is your body’s way of telling you it needs real nourishment, not chemicals in a box or a greasy paper bag.

One of the easiest ways to heal chronic feminine problems is to clean up your diet. Eliminate possible food allergens by removing gluten and milk products from your diet for at least one month. Gluten and lactose intolerance are prime causes for digestive problems that lead to poor feminine health. Load up on organic vegetables, fruits, whole (non-gluten) grains, beans, legumes, organic meat, wild-caught fish, and healthy fats such as coconut oil and avocado.

Dangerous Feminine Products

Aside from a poor diet, the feminine products you use everyday are also wrecking your sex life.

For example:

• Tampons

Tampons are terrible for your sex life. This is because conventionally-made tampons are made with pesticide-ridden cotton or synthetic rayon. Rayon is made more appealing to the consumer by bleaching with a chemical called dioxin. Dioxin is on of the deadliest chemicals known to man and was once used as a contaminant in Agent Orange.

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that these pesticides and bleaching agents increase a woman’s change of developing endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis due to weakened immune system.

Even if you prefer to use sanitary pads instead of tampons during your menstrual cycle, you’re not much better off. In addition to bleaching agents, many of these feminine hygiene products contain highly-absorbent chemicals that interrupt your delicate pH balance.

• Douches

I’m not sure when it was the natural feminine scent was considered offensive or not-so-fresh. Was it the 70s? Despite what the commercials may tell you, douches are not good for your health. They are filled with synthetic chemicals and fragrance that can cause serious allergic reaction, pH imbalance, and immune system dysfunction. If you use them, stop. They’re part of the reason sex causes you pain.

• RepHresh

If you’ve been living with chronic feminine problems, you may have been tempted to try this new product on the market called, “RepHresh”. Apparently, it’s supposed to improve your pH balance and cut down on those terrible symptoms. What they don’t tell you on the box is that it can actually cause a lot more harm than good.

Here’s what’s in it:

Purified water USP, Glycerin, Polycarbophil, Carbomer Homopolymer Type B, Ethylparaben Sodium, Methylparaben Sodium, Propylparaben Sodium, and Sodium Hydroxide

I don’t know about you, but I don’t even like to eat stuff with ingredients I can’t pronounce, let alone put it “down there”. This supposedly magical formula contains not one, not two, but THREE parabens! Three!

Parabens are deadly!

Not only have these synthetic additives been scientifically proven to cause breast cancer, they have been linked to infertility, autoimmune dysfunction, and neurological dysfunction. If your immune system isn’t functioning correctly, chronic candida and bacteria can take over your body, causing vaginal yeast infections and general ill health.

• Sprays, Wipes, Soaps

These feminine hygiene products can also destroy your sex life because they’re all made with synthetic chemical fragrances. These fragrances interrupt the natural pH balance and interfere with the healthy bacteria in your vaginal tract. Your vagina was not meant to smell like a white peony anyway and if you’re using these products to mask unusual odors, you’re only making the problem much worse.

Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Feminine Products

One of the best things you can do for your feminine health and your sex life is to switch to all-natural tampons and pads. Naturacare is a great line. I used their products myself. Also, get rid of the douches, washes, soaps, and suppositories. Gently wash your genital area with organic unscented soap and water only.

If you’re experiencing itching, burning, and discomfort, buy a small tub of organic plain Greek yogurt and mix in some chopped organic garlic. Soak it in an all-natural tampon and insert overnight. The garlic is an excellent natural antibiotic while the yogurt is a soothing provider of healthy bacteria. You should also add a high-quality probiotic supplement to your diet. It can be taken orally and inserted into the vagina at night and removed upon rising.

You can also bathe in organic apple cider vinegar (with “the mother”) to gently raise the acid level of your vagina and prevent bacteria and yeast outbreaks. Be sure to clean your tub thoroughly with an organic cleaner then fill your tub less than halfway. Add one cup of apple cider vinegar and soak for 20 minutes.

No matter how inviting those feminine health products look in the commercials, they can do serious damage to your sex life. If you want to stop chronic genital infections, you need to clean up your diet and get rid of all the unhealthy products that are only making things worse. You should also add a whole-food dietary supplement to address any nutritional gaps in your diet.

Once you get healthy again, you’ll be amazed at how good your sex life can be!