Lyme Disease And Women
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Not only is it more difficult for women to get an accurate clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease, especially if it is well disseminated, the disease creates unique problems for women. The main reason for this is the hormonal cycle, usually every 28 days. This is prevalent in women receiving estrogen replacement therapy as well as those who are still menstruating.
Women are often told they're menopausal, emotional and are hypochondriacs when describing Lyme symptoms to a doctor, especially if they can't recall being bitten by a tick. Since the symptoms increase when a woman's hormonal level drops every month, most doctors will relate that to "female problems." Unfair? Yes. Unusual? No.
The fact that most women wear some degree of make-up, comb their hair and "look too good to be sick" actually works against them when they are trying to get a correct diagnosis. Perhaps going to a doctor without make-up or just washed hair would be a better approach, not that it would guarantee a correct diagnosis. However, it may help and definitely would not generate a "you look so healthy" comment.
Although inroads have been made for sexual equality, discrimination is still a factor for a woman with Lyme disease symptoms if the doctor is a man and if he is not aware of recent clinical diagnosis methodology and testing. Not all male doctors, but most unfortunately. Female doctors are not completely excluded from that group, however, they may be more aware of the complexities of the female body. This is some consolation, but unless they are lyme educated their diagnosis will also be incorrect.
Even after starting on an antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease women will still have exacerbated symptoms every month when hormonal levels drop. This is the time when the immune system function is influenced and a woman is more susceptible to viral infection. Remember, antibiotics will kill bacteria but not a virus. This is the time to boost the immune system with Echinacea, garlic and vitamin C, especially if it's the flu season.
A complication of antibiotics for women is yeast infection or candida. Not the usual vaginal yeast infection, but symptoms that range from blisters in the soft tissues and swollen genitals. Some over the counter topical applications will help, however, a prescribed medication will be more effective. This does affect libido and a normal sex life and can test the depth of a relationship beyond that of the months of undiagnosed symptoms.
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