Sexual health is an important factor of a person's overall well-being. One indication of health in sexual terms is the functionality of one's sexual or reproductive organs. One of the most common sexual health problems is Cyctitis. This is an infection of the bladder, but the term is often used randomly and cover a wide range of both infections and irritations in the lower urinary system. Cyctitis causes burning sensations during urination and a frequent need to urinate. An estimated number of 50 million a year suffer from this condition, mainly women from North America. Few ever forget the first attack, its severe pain upon urinating, and the constant running to the bathroom, and finally having blood appear in the urine.
Urinary infections can be due to a variety of causes and are usually cured by antibiotics within a few days. But in recent years the overuse of this medication has resulted in bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. Among headlines regarding sexual health, there is a link between estrogen and breast cancer, heart attack and stroke, resulting in an increased number of cases of cyctitis. Women who are now fearful of estrogen may develop a thinning of the bladder lining making it more prone to recurrent infections.
When dealing with sexual health, preventing infections is a must do. A ring around the bathtub is often responsible for frequent infections, and if in case a shower is available, forget about taking a bath. Sexual intercourse may also be an instigating factor, and that urinating after sex is recommended. Second, do not forget what your mom told you about cranberries. A study several years ago at the Harvard Medical School proved that indeed, cranberry juice is a simple way to cicumvent recurrent bladder infections without any antibiotic complications. Cranberries have many nutritional benefits, but most people never consider cranberries as a source of protein, although they contain all the essential amino acids. They're also a source of powerful antioxidants. Plant sterols, which have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels in the blood and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, are also present. The big startling discovery at Harvard was what researchers found out about E. coli, the main bacterium causing cystitis. E. coli, they discovered, has hair-like protrusions that enable it to stick to the bladder wall, allowing it to multiply. But fortunately, cranberry juice possesses an anti-sticking factor that prevents this. this study showed that by oiling the bladder with cranberry juice, it was possible to flush out bacteria during urination.
However, problems arise when large amounts of cranberry juice is used day after day in preventing cyctitis. Cranberry juice is loaded with sugar and that means excess calories. Studies show that the digestive system is unable to digest the seed that contains most of the beneficial nutrients. Seeds pass through our intestines very easily so the problem is not just what you eat but how much your body actually holds onto. In any case, with a good number of cranberry intake on hand, then the less risk for cyctitis.
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