Itchy and swollen labia - YI?

[estrellafugaz85.livejournal.com]

I posted yesterday about my inner labia being swollen and being a bit itchy, well it's even worse today. It's a little sore as well. There's no redness inside or outside, and only a small amount of discharge (although it does have a slightly tacky, cottage cheesy texture). Is it likely to be a YI? I recently came off the pill and have had no sexual contact since late August. It was suggested that I wait to see if my period fixes things, but it's not due for a while and I'm not sure it'll even come. The itchiness and discomfort is annoying me. Are there any huge disadvantages of treating it with OTC YI mediciation?  

Comments

[manimalogy.livejournal.com]

I don't think there'd be any disadvantage to treating something that's bothering you, no ;). It sounds like a YI to me, and I get shit tons of the things. I usually use garlic to treat because it's way less expensive and, for me, just as effective. I just pop a whole clove in before bed for a couple nights and poof.

[estrellafugaz85.livejournal.com]

I would be interested in the garlic, but I have some reservations

1) I'd be afraid I'd lose it up there
2) I'd be conscious of smelling like garlic - does that happen?

[pinkminx.livejournal.com]

1) You can use a string. (I recommend this, unless you've long fingers... or a significant other who does. And it's good to keep in mind the vagina is at its shortest when you're squatting!)
2) I detected a very vague whiff of garlic when I did the treatment, but honestly nothing I would've noticed if I hadn't known.

And, yeah, I am seconding the garlic suggestion -- topical OTC medications give me horrible burning, the garlic was easy (and cheap!) by comparison.

[manimalogy.livejournal.com]

1) I understand this reservation, and the first time I used garlic I did sew a string on it, but it's impossible to lose anything in the vagina. It's only so long, and the cervix stops anything from migrating into the uterus. For me, I usually have to put it in when I'm already horizontal or it'll work it's way back out.
2) It does sort of make you garlic-y, but that's another reason why I do it at night. It comes out as I pee in the morning, and then I just hop in the shower.

[archangelbeth]

If you treat for yeast with an OTC medication, and don't have yeast, it tends to breed for resistant yeast in the future.

If you treat with garlic or yogurt, it works in different ways (as far as I understand), and is less likely to breed resistant yeasties.

So I'd start with the home remedies unless you can get a doctor to check. It does sound probable for a yeastie, though.

I hope it clears up quickly!

[estrellafugaz85.livejournal.com]

Really? I've treated for yeast quite a few times in the past when I might not have had it. That's pretty scary. I asked the nurse about treating for a YI before getting test results back and she told me it wouldn't do any harm.

[archangelbeth]

From what I've gathered, it's not as pernicious as using antibiotics casually and/or improperly -- but it's possible. If you run one of the long OTC things, 7-day, I think it is? It's less likely to leave you with Macho "we survived the poison, now we make macho yeast babies!" Yeast.

[estrellafugaz85.livejournal.com]

I usually use Canesten combi which is a pessary with cream to apply externally, over 3 or 4 days. I'd love to try the garlic but am self conscious about the smell, plus there's nowhere I can buy string right now. I've got to the point where I want to start treating asap :(

[archangelbeth]

Got non-flavored dental floss? Stuff's stronger than most string...

If you're pretty sure it's yeast, you can go ahead with an OTC treatment -- I'd just be a little wary of doing it all the time, in case of Macho Yeast.

[estrellafugaz85.livejournal.com]

I've started it and it seems to be feeling a little better. Fingers crossed.