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The '80s are back - with a vengeance. Many college-age women don't know that the increasingly popular leggings and skinny jeans they borrowed from a prior decade may have fostered a different trend - yeast infections. After designer jeans exploded onto the fashion scene in the late '70s, styles became progressively tighter, as seen by the popularity of tapered-leg and "Marilyn" ankle-zip jeans at the time. And the aerobic exercise boom of the '80s made leggings a casual accessory among women throughout the decade. These styles are alive and well today. And although leggings and skinny jeans are the latest craze, medical experts say wearing tight clothing in combination with moisture can propel dormant yeast organisms into the "active" stage - a trend no woman is lining up to join.
CLOTHING, MOISTURE AND YEAST The yeast organism Candida albican and other forms of yeast grow naturally in the vagina. In a healthy vagina the presence of some yeast is not problematic. "Most often the organism is present in spore form in many women but suppressed by the normal ecosystem of the vagina," said Philip Hindelang, Women's Center physician. "Tight clothes don't cause yeast infections but may facilitate the spores' ability to attach to the skin and proliferate." Thong underwear is usually worn to pull off some of the new body-hugging styles as it eliminates noticeable panty lines. The style was introduced to the United States in the '80s when Americans saw thongs worn on beaches in Europe and Brazil and brought them home. Thongs have since become a popular, sexy alternative to regular underwear. But Hindelang said thongs may also pose a problem for women and their health. "Thongs tend to cause more sweating and trap moisture against the skin," Hindelang said. "Moisture in and of itself can cause [vaginal] irritation." Gynecologist Lisa Masterson appeared on "The Tyra Banks Show" in November providing tips for wearing thong underwear. Masterson said women should opt for a butterfly style thong (wider in the back) with a cotton crotch - a hygienic alternative to a thin, synthetic material that does not absorb moisture or allow the vagina to "breathe." When infected, yeast organisms grow profusely and deliver a thick, light-colored, curd-like discharge. Women may suffer itching, redness, chaffing or a burning sensation during urination or intercourse. Hindelang said he treats patients with yeast infections with an ointment or anti-fungal steroid.
A HIDDEN ENCROACHMENT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES Yeast infections are common among college women, second only to bacterial vaginosis. Fifty percent of American college women experience at least one yeast infection before age 25, and about 75 percent of all American women develop at least one infection during their lifetime. Since the tight-fitting fashion upsurge is relatively early in its span, medical professionals have not determined whether the trend has caused an influx in infections. But Hindelang said yeast infections are still common among younger, reproductive-age women because "pregnancy and [oral contraceptives] can predispose [one] to yeast." Other common causes of yeast infections among college women are antibiotic treatments, repeated intercourse over a short time period, stress and high carbohydrate and alcohol intake. Louisiana college women are especially susceptible because hot weather combined with nonventilating clothing increases moisture and warmth in the vaginal area, fostering infection. Crystal Duplichan, psychology and sociology junior, said she experienced one yeast infection since coming to college. Duplichan said having a yeast infection "sucks," and she hopes to never experience another one. But more than 40 percent of women have more than one yeast infection in their lifetime. And 5 percent have frequent, recurring episodes. Duplichan said her yeast infection came during the wintertime when she was wearing tight jeans on a regular basis. "And it could have had something to do with all the beer I was drinking," Duplichan said. "One of my roommates had one like three weeks before I got mine." A mass communication junior had a yeast infection after coming to college. She asked to remain anonymous because she was discussing her medical history. "I think it was from exercising, maybe from sweating and keeping on the same clothes and not showering right away," she said. "It was in the summertime." The student, who suffered itching in the vaginal area, said she was advised by doctors to wear loose clothing for the duration of the infection. "They said not to wear tight jeans," she said. "It could kind of increase the chance of getting it again." The student said she wears tights on a regular basis and would not stop wearing them even if they could aggravate yeast organisms. "Maybe I would stop wearing them so often, but I don't know if I would stop completely," she said. "They say everything causes cancer, and you can't stop everything."
FASHION SLAVES' BLIND EYE Some textiles, apparel design and merchandising students said students will not stop wearing the latest fashion crazes even if it puts their health at risk. "Some people are slaves to fashion," textiles, apparel design and merchandising senior Isabel Varela said. "People wear those pointy-toe shoes even though they're extremely in pain." Varela said she noticed skinny jeans and leggings start to trickle onto the college scene in March. "Besides them being cute, they accentuate the body pretty well, and they're pretty versatile. You can wear them with a sweater or dress," Varela said. "But I could really see the leggings being a problem in the summertime." Kimberly Smith, textiles, apparel design and merchandising senior, said she noticed the trend is becoming more popular as the cold weather allows for tucking leggings and jeans into boots. "There's different inch openings. And people go to the excessive by getting super-skinny or cigarette [jeans]," Smith said. "It's a trend [college women] are going to stick with, and they'll deal with the consequences." Smith said most women are not aware that tight clothing combined with moisture can trigger a yeast infection. "I certainly wasn't," Smith said. Ashley Smith, textiles, apparel design and merchandising junior, said women often feel they have to follow the fashion trends. "I'm actually wearing leggings right now with boots," Ashley Smith said. "Obviously [women] would stop [wearing tight clothing] if they had a yeast infection, but if it went away, they would keep wearing them again." But Duplichan said she is not fazed by what everyone else is wearing. "I didn't like the '80s the first time around; I'm not looking forward to leggings and big hair," Duplichan said. "I like skinny jeans, and I think they look nice. But I don't care how small you are; leggings just don't look good on anyone."
----- Contact Leah Square at lsquare@lsureveille.com
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