What Could Possibly Be Worse Than Menstrual Cramps?

I'm no expert. I'm just giving my opinion on what could possibly be something worse than menstrual cramps. I'm going to approach this subject in a honest and open manner. No holds barred. That way we can fully understand the issues with our bodies and quickly solve the problem. I'm just going to jump right into it. Are you ready?

Have you ever heard of Vaginal Yeast Infection, Vaginal Bacteriosis or Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)?

I'm certain that at least 1 out of 4 of women have heard of such terms or maybe even experience them before. Now I know this post may seem a little more curated for my female readers, but if you're a guy, don't be too quick to close this tab! You could learn a thing or two about your girlfriend's lady parts and hopefully be a little more prepared should she ever face such situations in future. In fact, those infections don't only affect women. Guys could get them too but you wouldn't know since symptoms hardly show up on male genitals. 

Menstruation is widely known to be a pain in the arse. Apart from the constant need to visit a toilet to change the pad or tampon, we also have to deal with the other issues associated to having a period - extreme thirst, sore boobies, monstrous cramps, just to name a few. I personally can't do shit on the first two days of the cycle. I get really bad cramps. And just when I thought that's the worst thing I would ever face, I contracted a vaginal infection. It's nasty. Trust me, I'd choose having cramps any day.

Why are you talking about this Eunice? Shouldn't it be kept as a secret? Well, that's the problem! People don't talk enough about sex and the possible problems that may come with it. Often we hide and suffer in solitude. But I think it is important for us to discuss such matters. 

Even Zayn thinks so.

"Everybody has sex, and it's something people want to hear about. It's part of everybody's life, a very big part of life! And you don't want to sweep it under the carpet. It has to be talked about." - Zayn Malik on his single "Pillowtalk".

It hit me when I brought the subject up during one of the After Hours shoots. I went something like "I think we should talk about Vaginal Yeast Infections. It's an issue I'm sure many woman would like to hear about." The response I got was pretty disappointing - "You mean like STDs and stuffs? I don't think we should talk about it." LIKE HELLO???? Yeast infections do NOT equivalate to STDs. 

People have the misconception that such infections are life threatening, but they have no idea how common those infections are! If you've had one of those infections before, I'm sure you felt lost and alone a little at the start while finding a cure. 

Well, don't worry! Eunice is here to tell you that such infections are perfectly normal and it is scientifically proven that 3 out of 4 woman will experience a yeast infection at one point of their lives. So even if you've never experienced one, I suggest you read on and listen up so that you'll be better prepared should that day come. *Choy! Touch wood!*

First of all, I think it is important that we all understand that these infections do not only occur due to sex. They aren't STDs or STIs. Which means your partner can't pass it to you. Which means... these infections occur due to changes that happen within your body, with your own bodily fluids. But could be aggravated by your partner's hoo ha. 

Allow me to talk briefly about the infections and my experience with each of them. If you need more information, I suggest you Google! The following are written based on my experience, and everyone could have a different opinion.

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Vaginal Yeast Infections

What is it?

Firstly, everyone has yeast in her vagina. It is a naturally occurring microorganism. When the pH value of a vagina (good pH range is 3.8 - 4.5) is disrupted, there is an imbalance in the system, which leads to an overgrowth of yeast. That's when you may get symptoms like itching, swelling and irritation. Your discharge may even be clumpy, like cottage cheese. Nasty. There shouldn't be any foul odour, but it's still nasty cause the itch is enough to put you off. 

Causes

The following may cause a yeast infection.

- Antibiotics

- Pregnancy

- Diabetes

-Weak immune system

- Poor eating habits (lots of sugary food)

- Hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle

- Stress

- Lack of sleep

Basically, as long as you do something that disrupts your vagina's healthy pH balance, you may get it. Prolonged usage of soiled pads, tampons, panty liners or underwear may contribute to your risk of contracting a yeast infection too. The best way to prevent it is to make sure your nether regions is kept happy and healthy. 

If possible, try wearing bottoms that allow your privates to breathe. I've learnt that tight skinny jeans just won't cut it. And make sure your underwear is cotton or made of natural fibres, and if that's too troublesome, just go commando (or at least do that at night when you sleep). 

Also, make sure that both you and your partner are clean before having sex. Means go wash before you do it, even if it kills the mood. This is a no brainer, but wash thoroughly after sex too! Your partner's bodily fluids or any bacterial caught within the foreskin of this dick may upset your vagina's pH balance, which may lead to a yeast infection too.

AND! Wash with water only. Though there are many feminine washes available that promises to keep your privates smelling like a garden, don't use them! They do quite the opposite. Your vagina cleans on its own, feminine washes only disrupts the process.

My experience and how I cured it.

My experience with yeast infection lasted for about 1 week, but could have been cut short if I'd use proper medication earlier. I started out feeling really itchy down there, it was also painful when I had to use the bathroom and there was clumpy discharge. I went online, did a little bit of research, found out what it was and treated it immediately with a home remedy. 

I'd use virgin coconut oil to soothe the itch (dipping a tampon in coconut oil and inserting it overnight) but the infection just wouldn't go away. I consulted one of my girlfriends and she recommended Canesten vaginal tablet to me. It is an anti-fungal tablet that contains Clotrimazole, which is inserted into the vagina over night. It basically kills the yeast nucleus. (FYI, yeast is a fungus.) The next day my vag was back to normal! Yay!

There are other ways to solve the problem. Other organic ways if you're the anti-chemical tree hugger sort. But if you wanna get it done fast and effective with minimal mess, go with Canesten. You can purchase it at Watson's or Guardian Pharmacies. Don't be afraid to ask the pharmacist for help, they're professionals in this field and wouldn't judge ;)

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Vaginal Bacteriosis 

What is it?

Unlike my knowledge for yeast infections, I honestly don't know much about vaginal bacteriosis except for the fact that it emits a REALLY FOUL odour. When your discharge turns to a greyish colour and is watery and thin, accompanied by a fishy smell, you know you have vaginal bacteriosis. It isn't as uncomfortable as having a yeast infection cause it isn't itchy but the smell just makes you feel insecure and rather embarrassed, especially during sex. 

Causes

The following may cause Vaginal Bacteriosis.

- Douching

- Bath with antiseptic liquids

- Having a new sex partner

- Having multiple sex pertners

- Perfumes bubble baths and scented soaps

- Smoking

As I mentioned earlier, as long as you disrupt the healthy and natural pH balance of your vag, you're putting yourself at risk of developing infections. Prevention is always better than cure! So just don't do whatever's causing them. 

My experience and how I cured it.

Unlike yeast infection, this infection isn't caused by overproduction of fungus (aka yeast), so it can't be cured with Canesten. It is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring bacterial flora.

My best advice would be to eat 140ml of yogurt everyday if possible. Yogurt is rich in healthful bacteria, or live cultures, called probiotics, which will help keep your vagina's pH balance in check. If you can't stand the taste of pure yogurt, opt for flavoured non-fat ones! I didn't do much to cure my vaginal bacteriosis infection. I literally just stopped using a feminine wash product and ate yogurt. The infection cured almost immediately the next day ;)

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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

What is it?

UTI oh UTI. This is something I'd try to avoid and prevent at ALL cost. It is the most annoying and the most uncomfortable of the lot. Ask any girl who has had UTI before, and she'd tell you the same thing. The last time I had this was about two years ago and I've been doing everything I can to NEVER experience it ever again. It hurts like hell when you pee and you'll constantly feel the need to pee, which results in frequent bathroom visits with disappointing outcomes. 

Causes

- Introduction of bacteria into the urethra and bladder.

(This is reason why we're often told to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. If you do the opposite, you're introducing bacteria from your anus to urethra - the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body - which will then infect your bladder.)

- Having sex can also introduce bacteria into the urinary tract (specifically anal sex)

Men may contract UTIs too but ladies are more prone as we have shorter urethras, allowing bacteria to access the bladder quicker.

My experience and how I cured it.

Since my last UTIs experience was quite some time ago, I can't remember how long it lasted. The pain is the only memory I have of it. Oh yeah! I also remember my pee looking cloudy and slightly dark. Curing it wasn't a hassle though! All you have to do if you get UTIs is drink lots and lots of water and cranberry juice to flush it all out. I honestly don't know how it works and am a little tired to search since I've been typing for the last couple of hours, so you can do yourself a favour and just Google it.

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The whole point of this post is just to let you know that if you have any of those infections, please do not be alarmed or ashamed! They're perfectly normal and you're NOT alone in this battle. I managed to cure each and every one of my infections with home remedies or over the counter medication, but please seek professional medical help if you feel the need all right?

Also, talk to your girlfriends if you ever feel something isn't right about your vagina. We're all women, we all have the same thing, there's nothing to be shy about! Trust me, it's one of the topics my girlfriends and I enjoy talking about. It builds a stronger bond and trust between us.

If you're attached, talk to your partner about it too! I know how scary or embarrassing it can feel to talk about something so personal to your boyfriend, and you're afraid that he might judge you after. But trust me! If he loves you, he'll listen, understand and try to solve the issue with you. It will also strengthen your relationship!:)

The more open you are about something, the more confident you'll feel. 

Alright gotta go! I'm falling asleep! Didn't expect to write so much about this topic. hehe

Let your dreams lead you through life; not the news, facts or figures. Do what you want, and not what others expect of you. Only you know what's best for yourself, so go with your gut feeling. Only then will you lead a fulfilling life with no regrets.

Thoughts (Jan 2016)

I hope the break up season is officially over and that everyone's in love again. Falling in love is some tough shit. It comes as a package with heartbreaks and disappointments, so if you're not prepared for all those, just do yourself a favour and stay away from being in a relationship. I am currently single, again, and that's perfectly fine. Being single gives you the opportunity to learn how to be independent and to grow as a person before the next special one comes into your life. 

It's that special period of time in your life where you get to do all the crazy YOLO shit and get away with it, you don't have anyone to answer to, but yourself. There aren’t any expectations to meet, but your own. If there's something you've always wanted to try but never had the time or opportunity to, because you were so busy being in a relationship, now's the chance to go for it! Get on a plane and go on a solo trip! I've never done it but I have friends who have experienced it, and they always go on about how rewarding the experience is.

Being out of love isn't a bad thing at all. In fact, we shouldn't depend on a guy (or a girl, if you're a guy reading this) to make us happy. At the of the day, we still have our friends, family and even pets with us, and they love us just as much as a companion would. 

Life really isn't as tough as we think. To be very honest, I was going through some dark times late last year. Some of the choices I made weren't exactly the best, and hell they didn't benefit me in any way. But that didn't cross my mind at that point of time because I thought life had no meaning and that there was no point in trying anymore. If you ever find yourself at such a cross road, simply take a step back and analyse why you're facing such a situation. It could be because of the people you're hanging out with, the environment, or it could even be due to the type of music you're listening to. Your thoughts attract whatever's coming into your life. So if you want to be carefree and happy, just tune your mind to think of optimistic stuffs instead.

I know it's easier said than done, but I've proven to myself that it works. I was so down, I thought I needed professional help; in fact I almost got one. Thankfully time allowed me to view the world in a different perspective, and I was able to alter the way I thought and felt in time. I'm 22, back on track and I am super excited for this New Year. 

Should Horoscopes Matter? #JustMyTwoCents

Every time I sit down for a conversation with a friend and if we happen to talk about her love interest, I always find myself asking the same thing; what is his or her horoscope. It seems to me that someone's horoscope matters, it helps me understand and gauge what sort of person he or she is. I know it's not a right way to judge how someone is but I think we can all agree that horoscopes are true to some extend. I know it is for me, I am an Aquarius and 90% of everything I've read about an Aquarius is true and relatable. 

I just feel that some how someone's horoscope determines whether or not he or she is even worth my time befriending and hanging out with. I believe that there are some people of certain horoscopes that would not click well with me and if I happen to know someone of that horoscope, I tend to keep my distance immediately. But if I find out that that person has a horoscope that is compatible to mine, I'd find myself putting in a lot of effort to build a friendship with him or her. This troubles me because I'm allowing something superficial to help me decide on things in my life, so I really want to know if horoscopes should even matter or not. Or if they're even true to begin with.

This is such a controversial topic and I am certain that many will have a lot to say about this article, but please note that I'm just voicing out my thoughts and penning them down.

Not only does one's horoscope help me determine whether or not I should keep the person in my life, but it also matters when I try to find a romantic partner. Whenever I go out on a date with a new guy, I'd find myself asking him the same question and the moment he mentions something that isn't compatible to an Aquarius, I won't put in any effort and give up. I don't allow the person to show his true personality because before he is even able to do that I've already judged him based on his horoscope. It has come to that point and that is pretty damaging because it doesn't allow me to open myself up to others, and to allow them to open themselves up to me as well, because I've already built a wall in between.

I know most people would say the same thing to me, that horoscopes are only true to a certain extend and we shouldn't fully believe it. But I think I've become too immersed in it that I've allowed it to control who I befriend and such. However, on a good note, ever since then my life has kind of improved because people of certain horoscopes that are compatible to mine constantly surround me, so we have similar thinking and interests. We complement each other and there isn't a dull moment, which is excellent for me because I enjoy being around people. You see my theory is if I hang out with someone of an opposite star sign, which in my opinion are people who are usually too emotional and vulnerable, I would feel down and negative about myself too. This is because Aquarius people like myself are very easily influenced; we morph and take shape from whatever environment and situation we're in. 

I just hope horoscopes won't dictate everything I do for the rest of my life. As it is now, whenever Fai and I have an argument, I'd put the blame on our clashing horoscopes. He is a virgo, which isn't compatible to mine. Virgos tend to be very sensitive, analytical and too particular about details, whereas an Aquarius like me just don't give fuck and we just want to see the bigger picture for everything. We're also very stubborn people and Virgos always try to input their opinions into others, whether right or wrong and an Aquarius just wont stand for that because we have a mind of our own.

With that said, learning about someone's horoscope has some sort of benefit as well. You'd be able to understand why someone reacts and behaves a certain way towards a situation. You'd understand his or her motives for doing or saying certain things, and you'll realize it's just the way people are and you can't change them. All in all, you'd definitely be more accepting of how others are.

Just my two cents on horoscopes, and believing in them. Everyone has his or her own opinions, this is mine.

Realization 1: Impulsivity & Recklessness

I have an issue with controlling my impulses. I used to think that sets me apart from most of my peers because I was always willing to do things they wouldn't. To some extend, I guess it is a positive trait of mine, that I am able to take the road less travelled and pursue what I truly desire, such as taking a break from school to pursue acting etc. However, a little too much of something can be detrimental, and I've only recently realized the negative effects my recklessness has caused over the last 10 years of my life.

You see the cause of my constant reckless behaviour often sparks from a moment of anger or sadness. When I am overwhelmed with those emotions, which can be triggered by the littlest negative connotation, my mind goes blank; I can't feel or hear anything and I'd have a strong urge to lash out on anything I deem unworthy at that point of time.

When I was 10, I broke a peer's ballpoint pen into two with my bare hands upon a heated argument with her. A second after the deed was done, I felt confused and surprised at how much strength I had in me. I mean I was a scrawny kid with tiny hands. I didn't know I had so much energy in me. So you can only imagine the kind of things I'd be able to do now.

Anger to me feels like a pit of fire consuming every last cell in my body. It's as though I'm in a trance, feeling my entire body dissociating from everything. To simply put it, I have no sense of control over what I do, say, hear or feel.

That can be very dangerous because it is in those moments where I make the stupidest mistakes, the most irresponsible and irrational choices and when I use the harshest words about or on others. It breaks friendships, destroys relationships and tarnishes any reputation I have as a person.

I know what you're thinking. It's just in your head, you're thinking too much and everything can be controlled by your mind. Well, it's not that simple, at least it isn't for me. All my life, other then turning to violence, I've never known how to direct the negative energy to something else. And I'm still figuring that out.

This has never really been an issue to me because I never thought I even had an issue to begin with. But I think we can all agree that my life was a roller coaster ride over the last 5 months and it's proof that something is really wrong about me. When I look back at pictures taken during those months, I almost can't remember why I did most of the things I did. Like I said, I almost had no control, and it feels like I just woke up from a dream, or rather a nightmare.

I know I have to do something about this because it has proven to repeat over and over and over again throughout my life. I've had enough of not being able to control my emotions, and I urgently need to set things straight before more damage is done. Let's see how things go from here.