Keeper causing YI and what to do

[thelastcow.livejournal.com]

Sooo I have what appears to be my fourth yeast infection since February. The first one was random, the second one was triggered by anti-biotics, the third I SUSPECT was from my Keeper cup, and now I really do think it's the Keeper because I have the Ominous Itch & Irritation Duo that started when I took out the Keeper last night.

I've washed the cup thoroughly, repeatedly, and it still stinks. Gross, I know, but nothing I do seems to work and I can't boil it because it'll melt. Frankly, I'm starting to give up on it (it smells and is possibly harboring yeast bacteria - or am I paranoid?) and contemplating just sucking it up getting a Diva. I've had the Keeper for 8 years now (it was a first period present) but have only been using it for the last three or so. Is it time to toss it?

Also, I just went and got plain Liberty Organic Probiotic Yogurt, dipped a tampon in it (I only have tampons lying around because the doctor told me last time that it'd be a good idea to use them so they could pull yeast out), put in the tampon, and tried to put in more yogurt with the applicator. How many times should I repeat this? I've heard it's the thing to do, does anyone have any other input? I want to try to stave this off as much as I can...

Comments

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

Are you thinking about a Diva Cup because it's silicone? If the rubber Keeper fits you well, you might want to buy their silicone Moon Cup instead.

[sublime29girlie.livejournal.com]

this! i love my diva. its boilable and super easy to clean between boils!

[thelastcow.livejournal.com]

I was considering it for exactly that reason, actually. I sometimes have leaks with the Keeper, though, and I know the Diva is slightly bigger.. I guess it's something to look into more thoroughly. Thanks!

[shirasade]

Could you disinfect your Keeper in tea tree oil and water or does that also affect the rubber?

[thelastcow.livejournal.com]

I.. have no idea. I'm going to look it up. Thanks!

[carmensandra.livejournal.com]

Oil degrade the rubber. This one girl was using it and got horrible yeast infections.

[whiterabit.livejournal.com]

I know that when I have a yeast infection, I rinse my vagina out atleast three times a day with apple cider vinegar. Perhaps you could uses the same mixture (1 cup of warm water + 2 tbp apple cider vinegar) and soak your Keeper in it? It kills the yeast in my vagina, maybe it will help your cup??

[tsemed-chemed.livejournal.com]

You can absolutely do this for your Keeper. Good idea, whiterabit!

[whiterabit.livejournal.com]

Aw, shucks. I be blushin'.

[thelastcow.livejournal.com]

I'm going to head out and get some apple cider vinegar right now. That sounds like an excellent plan and I doubt that it'd affect the rubber in any significant way. Thanks!

[poppleshatesyou.livejournal.com]

Could you be developing a latex allergy? Which is triggering the yeast? When i still used the keeper i thought it might be contributing to reoccurring yeast, and it actually turned out that my vagina just was not down with rubber being up in it for such an extended amount of time. Once i switched to the Diva my problems ceased.

You might also have better luck with relief if you start taking acidophilus and or inserting the capsules vaginally. I find it to be much more effective then yogurt. Also as a side note..i can't believe your doctor told you to use a tampon while you had a YI. ouch!!

[thelastcow.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'm developing a latex allergy, and probably not from the Keeper. It IS possible that my vag isnt' down with rubber in it for long periods of time, though, so that's something to consider. I really do just want to switch to Diva - or at least, a silicone cup - and see how it goes. It would be so much easier if I could just boil my cup once a cycle.

I forgot to mention that I'm actually taking acidophilus and bifidus tablets, too!

Kind of gross, but that doctor told me it was the worst YI she'd ever seen. She said it was just sitting there, stagnating, absorbing/feeding on my period and just not going anywhere... short of going in with a finger and pulling it out, she said the only option was to use a tampon to try to absorb it and pull it out so that it wouldn't "curdle further and build up." HOW HORRIFYING IS THAT?! I've never heard anything vagina-related so traumatizing in my life. :(

Anyway, I'm really glad to hear that your rubber issues stopped once you switched. That seriously gives me hope and incentive to switch, too. Thank you so much!

[poppleshatesyou.livejournal.com]

I much much much prefer silicone cups to the rubber option. I find them to be much more comfortable, beyond the obvious not causing me to itch to death. i hardly ever boil my cup, but its nice to know i have the option to do so.

That sounds soooo painful!!! I got my first YI when i was 16 and had recently engaged in..not the safest sex. And the YI was so bad and i'd scratched myself up so badly i had convinced myself i'd contracted herpes and i was just mortified, not to mention uncomfortable. Needless to say i'd never been so glad to hear the words "you just have a terrible YI!" in my life.

I hope switching helps you out as much as helped me. If you haven't already be sure to check out the menstrual_cups community.

[skeas.livejournal.com]

I love my Keeper Moon Cup! I definitely think that a silicone menstrual cup is worth the investment. Sometimes you can find them on eBay for pretty cheap. Otherwise, South Coast Shopping (where I got my cup from) has them for $18.95. (http://www.southcoastshopping.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=353&keyword=moon+cup&searchby=keyword&offset=0&fs=1&CLSN_2536=12396935822536438a281deb27e971dd)

[renee-de-la-mer.livejournal.com]

Have you tried scrubbing your cup with a toothbrush? I do, and it seems to do away with that weird funky ick that accumulates during the period if you don't scrub/boil/voodoo your cup between insertions. When I'm too impatient to use peroxide or a mug of boiling water, I just use an old soft-bristled toothbrush with some Dawn in a foaming soap pump. Works like a charm.