Yeast Infections

Talk to your doctor. Maybe they could culture your infection to find out more specifically what it is. There are some other vaginal infections that mimic yeast infections. Perhaps what you have is something other than a yeast infection, and the steps you're taking to fell better might not be appropriate.

You might want to make sure your husband isn't a carrier or likewise infected with the yeast infection (or another smiliar infection). If he is and is untreated, whenever you have sex you will be re-exposed.

If you have a lot sugar in your diet you may need to cut back. Also if you haven't already you should consider switching to cotton panties and avoiding sitting in wet swimsuits. I had a recurrrent yeast infection last year that I couldn't seem to ditch and ultimately got better after a homeopathic treatment I bought at Whole Foods.

Also consider that many women's hormonal makeups make them more predisposed to yeast infections at certain times in their cycles. Particularly the third week (following ovulation). Your doctor or midwife could check the pH levels of your vagina and also do a wet mount/culture to see if there is anything else going on. Good luck, this can be frustrating.

http://www.coolnurse.com/yeast.htm

Acidopholus (which is a probiotic) is for sure the way to go. Antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in your digestive track along with the bad bacteria that you're trying to fight off. The good bacteria is what inhibits the yeast growth. If your doc is giving you an antibiotic to get rid of the yeast infection, it's helping to perpetuate the cycle of the yeast infections.

The type of acidopholus that you need is the type you have to refrigerate and take more than once a day. This is going to be the strongest type and will give you the fastest relief. I would recommend that you make acidopholus apart of your everyday routine since you're so suceptible(?) to yeast infections. This will help to keep the balance of good bacteria in your system and your chances of getting another one will diminish.

And stop taking the antibiotics for the yeast infection since it's only exasterbating the situation.

Good luck!

A.

I fight yeast infections quite often,especially when I'm on a strong antibiotic. I seem to have a predisposition to it but I have noticed that my diet does make a difference (cutting down on sugar helps a lot eating more veggies too). Also, you mentioned trying not to have sex. It is possible for your husband to be infected and keep reinfecting you. You might want to consult your Dr about a treatment for him as well, we did the external cream for a few days with my hubby and it seemed to help.

Take acidopholus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DAILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was a chronic yeast infections sufferer and developed Vulvar vistibulitis as a result of all the medication and needed physical therapy.. Are you still suffering from one now? I have a great specialist in Northbrook to refer you to if necessary. I also have a nutritionist who is right next to the dr.s' office....Believe me I know what you are going through. Email me back if you are interested.

Hi A., this isnn't something that will go away that easy, you are going to have to starve and kill the fungus or yeast infection, my story is too lengthy to go into, go to www.knowthecause.com and you will find a diet to starve the yeast and there are natural or prescription drugs to get rid of this if I can be of further help let me know. L.

Dear A.,

I kept getting yeast infections repeatedly and the gynecologist said that many times it is a sign of either Diabetes OR High Cholesterol. He sent me for blood work and sure enough, I had both!! Just a thought. One other thing. I began using an over the counter (From Woodman's)PROBIOTIC. My daughter suggested it because I was having problems with my Irritable Bowel Sydrome plus I have been taking Antibotics alot and they take out the good Probiotics in your body. Since I started taking them, I have felt so much better. I have had much more energy and less problems in my system. If you decide to buy the PROBIOTICS make sure you get one that has a high number of ORGANISMS in them. They are live and should be kept in the refrigerator.

If you have any comments or questions, contact me back. Good Luck.

M.

Yes, I had this problem. Finally a combination of taking acidophilus 2-3 times a day & avoiding sugar & baked goods for a period of time took care of it. I also take Omega 3 & drink green tea every day but I dont know if that helped with that issue. I know it has immproved my immune system, though.

Yeast infections can be a symptom of other problems. Hormone imbalances, elevated blood sugars, immune deficiencies etc. You might want to ask your doctor to check for these. In the meantime try to avoid any foods containing yeast or high sugar content such as breads, donuts. candies etc. Your husband may also need to be treated for you to completely resolve this.

A little about me:

Mother with 2 adult children and first grandbaby on the way.

I take a probiotic called multidophillus. you have to keep it in the fridge, but it should help. You need to take it at least once a day if not more. you should use it even if you don't feel like you have an infection to keep you from developing one

I am a mom of three who has diabetes. Sometime stress can bring it on too. Also have your dr check to make sure you do not have diabetes. I would try the creams over the counter and if that does not work call your dr's office.

See your local chiropractor or homeopathy practioner for probiotics. They work well and fast!

A.,

I had recurrent yeast infections for a LONG time. no creams worked, no prescriptions worked, and diflucan didn't work.

the only thing that DOES work for me. Acidophilus. sure, it's in yogurt, but there's not enough. I take sometimes 4-5 pills a day if i have a yeast infection and seriously i feel relief within 24 hours.

Its worth a shot.

i've had recurring yeast infections most of my adult life. it is very upsetting because you know the "feeling" when one is coming on and kinda start to panic. as soon as i get the feeling i start doing little things that i hope will help me avoid getting the full blown symptoms. my doctor suggested to use a hair dryer on low heat to make sure it is dry after a shower and avoid the rubbing, also try and avoid sex at this time and i start the monistat right away.....the 7 day is best because it gives your body enough time to absorb the medicine and work. i agree with the other post that said to have you husband checked, sometimes they have no symptoms but just pass it back to you when you get better. another thing i noticed was that when i was using birth control they seemed to vanish.....i used the ortho patch and i had no yeast infections for about 2 years. as soon as i stopped using any birth control they started up again. good luck and i feel your pain

I used to get yeast infections at least once a month for years. You can buy 1 dose pre-filled applicators of monistat over the counter and you do not have to go to the doctor. I am now 49 years old but during my 20's and 30's had yeast infections at least once a month. I still get them but have found some things that help. I love desserts and I have found if I eat alot of sugar, I will get a yeast infection - so I have tried to cut down considerably on sugar over the years. This includes soda. I also was told by a doctor to always sleep without underwear. I know this works. It seemed that being on birth control increased the number of yeast infections for me. I do not think that you have to not have sex. Just do the monistat one day pre-filled applicator and
then sometimes within 1-2 weeks I have had to do another monistat to completely clear up. Having a severed yeast infections is the worst - just make sure to use the monistat at the very first signs of a yeast infection. If you wait, you will be miserable. Good luck and stay on top of this with treatment immediately. Katie

I was going to also tell you to check with your chiropractor and get this stuff called Acidopholis(I am pretty sure that is the correct spelling). Anyway, myself and my 4 daughters take it. It is wonderful in helping prevent things just like yeast infections. You are probably getting them way more often b/c what happens when you are on antibiotics is that they are killing ALL bacteria-we have good bacteria in our bodies, but the antibiotics dont know that..so what these probiotics do is replace the good stuff the antibiotics killed. If you have trouble finding it I can give you my chiro's phone number. It is not really expensive either and they taste great-they have a few different flavors...

When I feel them coming on I try an oral Acidopholus. You can get it at Walgreens. It is the active culture in Yogurt. It seems to work better. You might want to make it a natural part of your vitamins for a while. Yogurt might not work because of the sugars in the yogurt.

Your doctor tried and failed. He isn't treating the whole problem. Firstly, you don't necessarily need antibiotics to rid yourself of this and I'll get more into that in a minute.

Second, eating yogurt isn't going to do it unless it's organic yogurt and even then you probably aren't getting enough of the beneficial flora. Go to the health food store and get a probiotic supplement--Ultimate Flora is an excellant one. It works for me. There are different potentcies you can buy, I go with the 15 billion. When I am ill, I take two a day instead of just one until I am in the clear. Then continue to take one a day for a couple weeks.

Thirdly, have your significant other get tested to make sure he hasn't contracted it from you. He can be carrying it w/o symptoms and just giving it back to you over and over again. He may need treatment.

About the treatment for you. There are a few different vaginal infections you could have and depending on which it is you have to treat it differently. I used a wonderful book when I was in a similar situation and it helped me identify which infection I had and how to treat it. Now that I know I am prone to it (it starts up when I've been eating a lot of sugary foods) I can treat it effectively and it never fails.

The book is called The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood. I know the title doesn't sound like it would be helpful but with a combination of spring water, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and lavendar and tea tree oils I was able to restore the acid/alkaline balance down there and rid myself of the infection and start feeling relief right away. I shared it with my mother and she swears by it, too. We never have to go on antibiotics for that stuff anymore. It was Vaginalis Gardnerella that was plaguing me which is actually an infection of the vaginal secretion. Basically, the vagina becomes too alkaline making it very itchy. There are a few other similar infections listed along with their treatments. You can buy the book or I can scan and email the particular pages to you if you are in immediate need. Email and let me know if you'd like this further info.

it could be nothing more than the fact your under garments are not letting you stay dry and less moist

Hi, A.. I had the same problem in my late teens and early twenties. There are several things that can help. First, after many months of infections, the doctor prescribed 10 or 14 days of Diflucan. That helped a lot, but I've discovered several things to prevent them. Always wear underwear with cotton crotches--not sexy, but hey. Don't douche or use tampons, especially scented tampons. They disrupt the natural pH balance in the vagina, making you prone to an infection. Make sure you dry yourself completely after bathing, and don't use any powder on your thighs, etc. It might also help to keep yourself trimmed up a little to help with drying, etc. Hope this helps.

I had them a lot growing up. My doctor told me to eat yogurt. Since I started eating it I have not had any.

C. R

Have you changed your cleansing gel or soap since this all started? I have gotten what feels like an infection when I try a new cleanser, if I stop using a new cleanser it clears up. Just a thought to consider.
S.

Make sure your husband isn't carrying the yeast. Men won't get an actual yeast infection, but they can contract the infection by having sex with you. So you're treating you, but not him. Talk to your doctor about how to best treat him. He may have to take antibiotics or something of that nature.

Yeast infections are transfered between husband and wife. So you're hubby may also have an infection, which isn't as noticeable, and you could just keep getting it from him. If that is the case he should also be treated.
C. in Canada

Try wearing boxers instead of panties, and not wearing any underwear to bed. Also, avoid swimming and taking baths. Don't use soap in that area, especially antibacterial, and don't douche. Just rinse with water in the shower, if you need to. I was able to get rid of a mild infection without medication by following these procedures (on the advice of my mom, who is a nurse).

there is a perscription vaginal cream they can order you had same problem it went away when I swichted genocologists It was a very bad yeast infection that took more than the standard treatment and 2 of the oral treatments good luck stay away from powder and douch any kind can alter your ph.

You have gotten many good responses. I would just like to add that you could also check to see if you are having normal blood sugar levels. It most likely has nothing to do with that but if a person has diabetes diagnosed or undiagnosed and they let their blood sugar run higher than normal, yeast infections can become chronic. Those pesky yeast infections can be torturous.

I was told to stay away from carbs, it turns into the sugar that creates the yeast infection. I am a big carb eater but when I stop the carbs the infection cleared up. Maybe even try taking bath with epson salt. It can't hurt. Good luck I know what you are going thru.
C.

Hi-
Sorry to hear of your candida problems as I know they can be more than bothersome! Try picking up the "Yeast Syndrome - How to help your doctor identify and treat the real cause of your yeast-related illness" by John Parks Trowbridge, M.D. and Morton Walker, D.P.M. -book
I've been batteling this off and on as well over the last few pregnancies and this book has helped solve my problems. You will most likely have to go on a very strict diet for a few weeks cycle (as the book will show you)since yeast/candida feeds off of things like sugar, breads, pasta - gluten, fruit and starches. But please go to the library and find a copy as it will help you sort through these things. It's wonderful and I wish you the best with getting it under control fast!

Hi A.,
Sounds like the yeast has colonized your body. I am having issues with the same thing. You can find alot of info on Candida Albicans infections online, but you will most likely have to take Diflucan and limit your sugar intake. I have been dealing with this for 5 months now (I have thrush). Diflucan did not work for me, so I saw a dietician in Northbrook that I love- Bonnie Minsky- and I am doing a special diet to starve off the yeast/Candida so that I can finally get rid of it. Probiotics are great for introducing the right bacteria into your system, but you also have to get rid of the yeast so the probiotics will work. Eliminating sugar, artificial sweeteners, breads and pastas from your diet for a month or so will do much to help. Unfortunately, in our diets today, we end up giving yeast a good place to live in our guts by our carbohydrate-ridden diets. Bonnie would have more info for you, or you can pm me.

Good luck!
T.

Hi A.. I had this same problem after I had my daughter. I take this pill called Acidophilus, which is the active culture in yogurt. I am not a fan of yogurt! You can get it at your local drug store. I take one everyday and if I notice a yeast infection coming on, I dose up on it (I take like 5 a day) One of the ladies I worked with told me about this years ago. Also on top of that if you notice one coming on, use the 7 day Monistat or contact your doctor. It could be something other than a yeast infection, say a bacteria infection. However, it sounds like you have already contacted your doctor. Also, if you are a bather, do not take a bath if you notice one coming on. Always shower instead and be sure to dry the area completely. Also, I always find that cotton underwear and loose clothing help! GOOD Luck!!!

Is your husband circumsized? He could have one and be giving you back a yeast infection after sex.