Recurring YIs

[labellavitaxo.livejournal.com]

Hey girls,

I've already read the FAQ here and countless other google search results but nothing is helping me! For months now I've gotten a yeast infection after every single period. It usually happens in the first week after my period. I don't always have the intense itching and burning but I always have the smell and discharge. I am on the pill (a generic version of Loestrin 24fe) so I guess that could be causing it but I was on the pill for a year before I got any yeast infections. I'm away at college and unfortunately can't get home to see my gyno about it but how can I stop these YIs from happening EVERY month?!?? I'm just worried about any long-term damage that can happen (not to mention how uncomfortable it is). I was wondering if you guys knew any ways to cure the actual infection instead of just the symptoms. Thanks so much in advance

Comments

[jaggednib.livejournal.com]

What do you use for your period? Pads? Tampons? Cup? Cloth pads?

[ardat-lili.livejournal.com]

I used to have this problem as well. It was a regular thing, every period = a new yeast infection, my ob gyn just basically started prescribing me birth control and a yeast infection antibiotic regularly. Then I started taking the birth control patch, ortha evra, and I don't remember any reoccurring yeast infections since, or at least haven't had one in a couple years. Discharge sometimes, around the time of my period, but none of the other symptoms.

[archangelbeth]

Anti-fungal, not antibiotics. (Antibiotics are known to cause yeast infections, as the good bacteria also perish, and stop producing the acids (and stop colonizing the surfaces of the vagina) that keep yeast in check.)

HBC can apparently sometimes change the general acidity of someone's body -- many times people start getting yeasties when they start HBC, but it's good to hear that it works the other way around, too!

OP: I'd suggest, as well as looking into possible sources of aggravation that spark a yeastie, taking probiotics in pill form. You might also consider using plain (no flavor!), unsweetened yogurt with live cultures as an ointment or even inserted into the vagina, to get the probiotics directly to the source.

Good luck!

[ardat-lili.livejournal.com]

sorry, yes, that's what I meant.

[paperispatient.livejournal.com]

If you don't already, I'd suggest taking an acidophilus supplement to help keep the good bacteria in your vagina in balance. I've been dealing with recurring YIs that are aggravated by sex, and since I started taking acidophilus they've gotten less frequent and not nearly as uncomfortable when I do get them. You can find supplements at GNC, Whole Foods, and even some grocery stores.

Whatever you're using during your period may be the culprit too. Don't use deodorized pads or tampons, and make sure you're not leaving tampons in too long - the first YI I ever got was after I left a tampon in for about 9 hours overnight, and I think that contributed to it.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

I don't have too much advice beyond what's offered here, but I do want to point out that there are a lot of people in this community who don't identify as "girls", even if they might be female-bodied! In fact, people of many different genders read and comment here and we don't want to accidentally leave anyone out so we're trying to encourage posters to use more inclusive language. If you're interested, you can read more about the reasoning on several of the posts here.

(That said, according to the FAQ, yeast infections aren't generally associated with long term damage: that's generally bacterial infections. That doesn't take way the discomfort or frustration, I realize, but it may offer some peace of mind. Have you tried preventative boric acid capsules?)