Paula, 35, recently came into my office complaining of pain in her vagina and pelvis.

She had been experiencing chronic discomfort with sensations of stinging, itching, irritation and rawness for many months.

Some women also experience burning pain across the pubic bone, shooting pain through the buttocks or thighs and stabbing pain in the vagina.

Paula decided to try a naturopathic approach when a friend of hers also received benefit for a similar condition.

This condition is called Vulvodynia or Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome depending on the specific location of the pain. there is much emotional distress that accompanies this condition not only because conventional medicine may have little help to offer, but also a women’s sexual life declines due to pain.

It may have a sudden onset after a vaginal yeast infection, after medical procedures to the vulva or changes in sexual activity. in most cases the vulvar pain becomes chronic, lasting for months to years.

I started with a general assessment including a physical exam including blood work, EAV (Electroacupuncture) testing for underlying organ weaknesses, an evaluation of her diet, stress, exercise and hydration and an evaluation of her food sensitivities.

The biggest underlying culprit is candida or yeast overgrowth in the body though there are few studies to confirm this. Another possible cause is an autoimmunity factor. However, treating the candida works clinically in most cases.

Candida or yeast overgrowth affects over 50 percent of the patients I see to some degree or other. This results in a dysbiosis or mix of unhealthy bacteria in the gut flora that affects the the reproductive organs of both men and women. (In men it can cause “jock itch” and chronic prostatitis)

This dysbiosis can generate foreign substances and toxins in the gut that penetrate the lining of the intestines creating a “leaky gut syndrome.”

When these foreign substances enter the blood stream the body sets up an immune reaction to them resulting in a number of possible symptoms: diarrhea, heartburn, reflux, bloating, fatigue, hives and in this case vulvadynia.

In vulvadynia often fungal cultures are negative and it is theorized that the pain may be caused by hypersensitivity to the candida fungas.

Paula wanted to know what causes the overgrowth of candida in the body? well, she had taken many antibiotics in her life for various infections and she had used the birth control pill for many years as well. She was never breast fed as a baby so her intestinal tract did not get a good inoculation of the proper bacteria at a young age.

She also had a terrible craving for sweets. on the EAV machine she tested a 10/10 for candida overgrowth and I got her started on a three-month candida program right away.

I suggested she come in for a free candida retest on a monthly basis to assess her progress. some need to be on the program longer.

Once Paula had improved, the trick was to maintain her gut flora and immune system so the candida would not have a chance to re-colonize.

I educated her on other treatments for her frequent infections so she could avoid the antibiotics as much as possible, and we discussed alternate birth control methods.

Paula was very motivated to make changes and very happy with the resulting benefit.

Dr.Ingrid Pincott, naturopathic physician, has been practicing since 1985 and can be reached at 250-286-3655 or DrPincott.com

Dear Pharmacist: I’ve felt sick for 10 years, and no one hashelped me. I read on the Internet about Candida, and I have everysymptom possible. I’ve eliminated sugar already, and after 2months, I feel better. I just found your site and hope you canteach me more about this infection. – N.H. San Francisco,Calif.

A: just amazing, 10 years and YOU had to find out what’s wrongwith yourself on the Internet? Candida is a fungus, and even thoughmost physicians dismiss this organism as harmless, I don’t. It ispart of the normal flora in the gut, but it can be dangerous forsome people. Eat the standard American garbage diet, and you willdestroy your intestinal microflora and then get yeastovergrowth.

Candida is a highly invasive micro-organism that can make youvery sick. there are about 80 potential symptoms of systemic yeastovergrowth, including athlete’s foot, yellowish-green toenailfungus, vaginal yeast infection, intolerance to perfume,iron-deficiency anemia, hypothyroidism, diarrhea/constipation, gas,cystitis, prostatitis, spots in front of eyes, joint pain, acne,headache, brain fog, memory loss, bad breath, heartburn, belching,allergies, mouth sores, hemorrhoids, painful intercourse, eczema,psoriasis, chronic fatigue, asthma, itchy/burning eyes, depression,gluten or dairy allergy, and inability to gain weight (or wasting)because the Candida is ‘eating’ everything you put into your systemso you develop malabsorption.

See how confusing this gets? Doctors may overlook or dismiss asystemic Candida infection in a person and just begin prescribingmedications for one illness after another.

There are tests, treatments and dietary changes that I willshare in future columns and Facebook posts.

Candida can spread to your organs. The fungus grows like a plantdoes, spreading “roots” that poke holes in your intestinal wall;then it invades your sinuses, lungs, skin, reproductive organs,pancreas, liver and so forth.

Some health experts believe that Candida fuels cancer growth.The problem is not so much the fungus itself, but more the toxiccompounds it produces, about 75 toxic substances.

One Candida by-product is a potent neurotoxin calledacetaldehyde. That’s the same exact substance you make when youdrink alcohol or get drunk. I believe wholeheartedly that this iswhy Candida sufferers experience so much brain fog or hangoverfeelings.

Candida is a mold, so it thrives in heat and in humidity. Thisexplains why many of you feel better in dry or cool climates.

Another surefire way to kill Candida is to eliminate sugar andstarches from your diet while taking antifungal supplements orteas. I’ll outline those in a future column.

Certain medications or lifestyle choices can cause Candidaovergrowth: birth control pills, steroids, antibiotics,chemotherapy and many blood pressure pills, alcohol and processedfood.

Did you know: Studies suggest that eating 20 tart cherries a day(or drinking the juice equivalent) can provide more arthritis andgout relief than aspirin or ibuprofen.

This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose yourcondition.

Suzy Cohen, author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist,” can be reachedat DearPharmacist.com.