Best way to remove yeast discharge?

[prettylyineyes.livejournal.com]

I went to the dr today who informed me my vulva is "covered in thrush" and I have to take flucanazole every day for 7 days. My vulva was practically swollen shut and feeling very sore. I now know that I obviously have a lot of build up that is (hopefully solely) causing the pain along my clitoral hood and folds, and I'm wondering what the best way is to remove it when it hurts so badly to touch, and is so swollen it's hard to gain access (lovely!).

I had an epsom salt bath with coconut & tea tree oil earlier and thought that'd be a good way to clear it but I have a very narrow bath tub and was too conscious of getting any water in my vagina, so that failed miserably (it did make my skin feel wonderful though).

I'm thinking the best way would be to use the shower head but as I am so sensitive I'm really worried it'll hurt. She sent a swab off to the lab to test for thrush but said it may be inconclusive as she couldn't get too far in without a speculum, and didn't want to attempt to use one as I was too swollen and sore.

I'm very conscious of only using harmless products of natural origin on my vulva area so if there's anything I can use to help dissolve the yeast or to soften it for easier removal, any naturally sourced suggestions would be helpful.

Should I just accept that it may not be completely painless to remove and keep going? Or should there be a more comfortable way to remove it?

Thanks in advance

Birth control

[thusbands.livejournal.com]

I am reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility and I have a couple questions. I've been taking the pill for almost a year now. That is the only form of birth control we use. As far as I know I haven't been pregnant but now I am really curious about something. I thought that the pill worked by preventing ovulation which I thought meant that you wouldn't have changes in cervical fluid. I have definitely had "fertile" cervical fluid in the last year according to the books description. Is that how the pill works or does it actually just prevent fertilized eggs from implanting? I am also curious if semen will change the consistency of cervical fluid during your cycle? I would think that it would make it more watery. Is that true or does it leak out quick enough that it doesn't affect it? Another questions has to do with effectiveness. All I can find is the effectiveness of single methods of birth control. I know that on their own condoms and withdrawal aren't as effective as the pill or IUD's but what about together? Are there any places that have the effectiveness of two or more methods? I would assume that condoms and withdrawal would be very effective. Is that a wrong assumption?
Thanks so much!