recurrent yeast infections

[chipie.livejournal.com]

Hi VP!

Since getting a Mirena 3 years ago, I've been getting recurrent yeast infections.  I had my Mirena taken out two years ago but I still get infections.

I'm trying to figure out what sets them off.  They seem related to sex, as my boyfriend and I don't always live together and I only get them when we're together.  (I was getting them almost monthly when we were living together, and now that we're in different cities I get one every time we see each other.)  But what puzzles me is that I don't really have intercourse (I have vulvodynia and vaginismus).  I do sometimes, but whether I do or don't doesn't seem to affect when I get a yeast infection.

I then thought it was related to getting oral sex but I stopped that (which sucks because no intercourse no oral sex doesn't leave a whole lot) and I'm still getting yeast infections.

Even stranger, I teach med school students to do pelvic exams (which means several exams will be done on me in a day), and that doesn't seem to set off yeast infections, so it's not lube or anything like that.

What could possibly be happening?

I am so so frustrated.  Three years is way too long to get monthly yeast infections.  I already have so many problems with sex and this yeast infection business is making my sex life even more stressful and not fun.  Just thinking about it makes me cry.  (Although I guess that's not helped by the fact that it's late at night and I can't sleep because I'm all itchy and I always feel sadder at night.)

I've already tried basically every treatment possible so I'm really just wondering what your opinions are regarding what could be setting off these infections.

Thank you!

Still more slippery consent issues.

[relight-it.livejournal.com]

I last posted six months ago ("Slippery consent issues with boyfriend..."). I am writing because I am still grappling with the themes and types of incidents discussed in that post. 

( Behind a cut in case it's triggering for anyone... )