"Female Problems."

You don't have to suffer just because you're a woman.

Our unique health woes are not terribly pleasant to think about: infections of the vagina and bladder, fibrous growths in the breasts (we won't even get into labor pains). In part, we have our anatomy to thank--mammary glands, enclosed genitalia and a urinary tract that's shorter than men's and more prone to infection. But must we endure these problems just because we're women?

"We're conditioned to think that chronic discomfort and even disabling pain are natural or the result of raging hormones that can't be controlled," says Carolyn DeMarco, M.D., a women's health specialist in Toronto and author of Take Charge of Your Body (The Well Women Press, 1997). But these conditions do not have to be accepted as part of a woman's lot, nor do they necessarily require invasive medical approaches or prescription drugs. Natural medicine--and a simple, vegetarian lifestyle--can be all you need to stay healthy.

VAGINAL INFECTIONS

Characterized by itching and a change in normal discharge, vaginal infections are caused by an overabundance of bacteria, or single-cell fungi called candida albicans. In a healthy vagina, infection-causing microorganisms are kept in check by an acid/alkaline balance and "friendly" bacteria. However, many medications (especially antibiotics), an unhealthy diet or a stress-filled life can throw off your internal chemistry, giving the little devils the chance to multiply.

"Treatment varies depending on the microbe responsible, so it's important to differentiate between a yeast and a bacterial infection," says DeMarco. Yeast typically produces mucous that smells like bread or beer, while bacteria produce a discharge with a slightly fishy odor. Recurrent yeast infections can be a sign of a more serious yeast overgrowth throughout the body. Here are some ways to manage infections. If you're in doubt about the nature of yours--or if you're pregnant--talk with your health-care provider before treating yourself.

* Eat right. "Diet is the single most important contributing factor in recurring infections," says DeMarco. Poor eating habits deliver a double whammy by making you less resistant to infection as well as encouraging the growth of troublesome microorganisms.

"Yeast absolutely thrives on sugar," explains Shari Lieberman, Ph.D., a clinical nutritionist in New York City and co-author of The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book (Avery Publishing Group, 1990). "Think about baking bread. As soon as you add sugar to the yeast starter, it goes nuts." She recommends eliminating refined sugar, concentrated sweets like dried fruit and fruit juices, as well as bleached wheat flour and baked goods.

"But don't turn to artificial sweeteners," DeMarco warns. They'll only trigger more cravings and make it that much harder to skip the sweets. Many women also reduce yeast infections by eliminating dairy.

* Go herbal. If you have an active bacterial or yeast infection, DeMarco suggests using fresh garlic as a vaginal suppository. Peel a whole clove and wrap it in a piece of cheesecloth to resemble a tampon with a cloth "tail." Insert and leave in place for 12 hours. Afterward, douche with a solution of two tablespoons of vinegar in a quart of water. Do this daily for three days.

You also can buy a commercially prepared vaginal suppository that contains tea tree oil, a potent antimicrobial, and follow package instructions. Or add eight to 10 drops of tea tree oil to warm bath water and soak for 20 minutes. (Never apply undiluted tea tree oil to the vagina.)

Grapefruit seed extract also is very effective against a variety of microorganisms, says Margi Flint, an herbalist based in Marblehead, Mass., who teaches herbal medicine at Tufts University Medical School in Boston. Take 20 drops orally three times a day during an acute infection. (Because it's bitter, you may prefer to put the extract into empty veggie caps.) Flint also recommends an herbal tea made from one part each raspberry leaf, sage leaf and mullein flower and one-quarter part barberry. Make four cups every day; drink three, cool the fourth and use it as a douche. Do not use this tea if you're pregnant.

* Douche sensibly. Normally, douching is unnecessary and can actually contribute to recurring infections by disturbing the vagina's normal moisture balance, says DeMarco. But a gentle douche can help wipe out infection-causing microbes. Use either of the douches described above, but never douche more than three times a week.

* Keep things moving. According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian school of natural medicine, vaginal infections are caused by a buildup of impurities called ama. Nancy Lonsdorf, M.D., medical director of the Maharishi Vedic Medical Center in Rockville, Md., and co-author of A Woman's Best Medicine (Jeremy P. Tarcher, 1993), suggests exercising regularly and avoiding cold, heavy foods, especially if you have an infection. Instead, she recommends eating light, spicy foods (seasoned with warming herbs like cumin and ginger) and cooked dishes like steamed vegetables and legumes.