Not Again

Ask him for a difucan pill. THEY are wonderful!!!! Some other tips are to wear cotton underwear and do NOT take baths, showers only.

my number one stand by is 100% cranberry juice(the white is not as tart) and you can go with the flavored ones so long as its 100% juice. i start drinking it at the first hint of an infection and have never had one last more than 3-4 days. works great for UTIs too!

It might be a bacteria infection. They are very similar. I always get the two mixed up. Try cranberry juice, lots of water and talk to the dr. about maybe needing a round of antibiotics. Good luck

I found this in a book I have "The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies" It suggests, as others have,
1. cut out sugars
2. avoid breads, mushrooms, and alcohol
3. eat plenty of Vitamin C (potatoes, citrus fruits,
broccoli)
It also suggests soaking underwear for 30min before washing them. Then, scrub the crotch with unscented detergent before putting in the washing machine. Make sure they are thoroughly rinsed (double-rinse them). Heat sensitive candida die when underwear are touched up with a hot iron.
It also mentions that you can go to the drugstore and buy a strip of litmus paper. Moisten the paper with a small amount of vaginal discharge. If you have a yeast infection your pH will be between 4 and 4.5 or less. If your pH is higher, it's a different type of vaginitis.
Hope some of this helps and that you have relief soon.

Just a thought, Have you been checked for Diabetis? Just about everyone in my family has Diabetis and one sister gets yest infections easy.
Dr. said it was do to Diabetis.

Hope that isn't the problem.
Hope you find the anwser soon.
D.

I can totally relate! I had a minor gestational diabetes with my most recent child & then ended up with a systemic yeast infection while I was nursing him which wouldn't ever go completely away, even though we were both taking/using Diflucan. Just kept passing it back & forth over & over again. Stopped nursing when he was 8 mos old because of it & infections seemed to clear up. Was having other weird symptoms however & kept questioning the doctor about it & sure enough - I've got diabetes now. They never suspected it because I'm not the least bit overweight. They are stating that my sugar levels were the cause of all of my yeast problems. Before trying anything else, please switch to a low carb diet as has already been suggested. This in itself has made a world of difference in my overall health. Treating the symptoms will alleviate things a little, but you must get your overall body systems corrected before you will be well. Feel free to contact me with any questions, etc. I'd be glad to help if I can.

Jen

You could try some acidophilus/probiotics. This is a culture often found in yogurt, but in supplement form it's much more potent. I find mine in the vitamin section at Wal-Mart, in a little purple bottle. Just remember to refrigerate it after it's opened (this advice is in very small print on the bottle, and I missed it the first time! Oops!).

This may not apply, but it was the first thing that popped into my head, has your doctor checked your glucose levels? People who are getting diabetes, or have diabetes, have a tendency to get yeast infections. I don't know why or what causes it, but my mom was having recurring infections and then her headaches started. She went to the doctor and found out that she had gotten diabetes. The good news is that if you are getting diabetes and you are catching it early enough, you may be able to reverse it with some lifestyle changes and/or excerise. My moms was caught early enough where she doesn't have to do the insulin shots or anything like that, she just has to monitor her glucose levels and plan her daily diet according to what her morning levels are. I wish you the best of luck and I hope that it is not diabetes, I don't mean to frighten you, but I am one of those people that like to be told up front what the possibilities are so that I can be prepared for what is coming.

I would have your husband checked out. I had a friend, who had recurrent infections and they stopped after her husband was treated.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this to you but you and your husband can pass a yeast infection back and forth. So if you had one and had sex, your husband can get it. Yours may have gone away but his didn't, so the next time you have sex, he can give it back to you.
Just a thought.

I'm sure you probably know this but my doctor told me to use Dove soap for sensitive skin and no body wash, no bubble bath. They also told me to make sure that my husband doesn't use body wash either but have him also use the dove soap. I use to have yeast infections all the time and now I will every once in a while but not that much. Hope this helps.

Hey S.! I feel your pain. This happened to my husband and I 7 years ago. By chance do you and your hubby have intercourse without a condom? The reason I ask is because you could have had one, gave it to him (oh yes men can have yeast infections), and he could have given it back to you. The way to tell if your hubby has it is: does he have pain in that area, does it hurt to pee, and the gross way to find out is if he can pinch the tip and puss comes out. I know.....sorry don't mean to be graphic. We encountered this awhile back due to after me having our first child. They had me use over the counter products with my hubby. I don't remember which one, I am thinking monistat. I hope this works for you guys. Good luck!!

S.

Hi S., I recently had the same issue! I never usually have this problem unless i've been on some kind of antibiotic or soemthing. I think i have finally figured out my problem. I changed body wash not too long ago. I love it because it's so silky smooth all over and makes my skin SOOO soft!! But i started noticing that i would start to itch later that night after my shower. After talking with my husband (of all people) he told me to try using shampoo (down there) or one of the usual old soaps that i used to use in that area. Since doing that, I have not noticed any itching! I was very releaved of that! Not sure if that could be your problem or not, but just thought i would mention it. Also if you start sleeping without undies on at night too and letting some air into that area, that is suppose to help also. HOpe this helps you. Good Luck!

I don't know if you've tried acidophilus bifidus. It is a natural minieral and can be found at the pharmacy. Not real expensive either. It helps combat the bad bacteria by promoting the good in your system. It comes in a pill or powder form. Whenever I get a yeast infection, I take this for a few weeks and then it's gone. Good luck and God Bless.

I Didn't read all the responses (my hubby is itching to get online...no pun intended), so...
1) be sure to get your sugar level checked to rule out diabetes or even "pre-diabetes" and be sure you're not preggers!

2) see your doc and ask them to CULTURE it! Usually it is something called Candida albicans...but it can be a different resistant strain.
3) are you treating it at home or with prescriptions?
You might need a sequence of an oral med (diflucan (fluconazole) along with a vaginal medicine (like Terazol 3)
if it's resistant. In addition, they can use a sequence of 3 doses of the oral medicine once a week for 3 weeks if it still doesn't respond (but that's not done often).

DO NOT PUT ANYTHING UP "THERE" THAT DOESN'T BELONG!
I've seen things like garlic in cheesecloth, boiled underwear, tampons soaked in vinegar....etc.
JUST DON't DO IT! It won't help and will likely add a bacterial infection to the mix...(and the combo will just end up smelling like tuna salad or shrimp scampi! YUCK!)
Speaking of which...be sure it is yeast and is not BV (bacterial vaginosis) or coexisting with BV. (both are easily treated)

OH! And see what you're hubby is using to wash his "parts".
Believe it or not, Lever and Axe seem to be a couple the biggest culprits! Have him (and you) use the "white" Dove soap for sensitive skin.

Good luck!

I agree with a couple other posters--it sounds like maybe it's not a yeast infection, but a bacterial one. I could be wrong, but you may want to ask your doctor to be sure it's yeast, because taking acidophilus (including through yogurt), cutting out sugar, etc. isn't going to help much if it's not a yeast infection. Bacterial infections usually require a prescription.

If it IS a yeast infection, make sure the yogurt you are eating (or applying) contains *active cultures* of acidophilus, and NO added sugar. Acidophilus capsules may get you better results. There is also acidophilus milk available in some grocery stores; you may want to try that.

Cut out other sugars as much as you can, too, not just soda. Try to avoid alcohol, white bread, pasta, and other white-flour starches (unless they are whole-grain), because these also create sugars that the yeast can feed off. Drink plenty of water to help flush out your system.

As others mentioned, your husband may be passing it back to you, also. I wouldn't recommend using a condom, but I would say he may need to be treated, too.

Don't douche with commercial douches; it may make the infection worse by washing away the *good* bacteria and yeasts. I've heard, though, that a water and hydrogen peroxide douche may help (I don't know the ratio, sorry).

You might also try adding more cranberries and garlic to your diet, using boric acid suppositories (use caution, and check with your doctor), or putting a few drops of tea tree oil in a sitz bath.

HTH! Good luck!
--A.

P.S. If your doctor doesn't seem to be taking you seriously, get a second opinion. Recurring infections can signal other problems--like diabetes, for instance.

You have so many replies but as a former cronic sufferer I would make some basic changes that worked for me with out all of the doctors and remedies. Although I would check with hubby to see if he has any symptoms.

1. Avoid using colored underwear and towels
2. Dry yourself thoroughly-some docs suggest using a blow dryer down there.
3. Use Ivory soap, no dye or scent.
4. No douching at all. Let your body cleanse naturally.
5. Use a "free" detergent to cleanse your clothes
6. Avoid tight fitting clothing, including pantyhose and shapewear! Only wear them for short periods of time.

Good luck to you.

It may not be you it could be your husband that is transferring it to you. Have him go see his doctor and maybe you can get rid of that pesky problem.
Good luck.

I, too, went through a period of four months thinking I had a recurring yeast infection. I found out that it was actually Bacterial Vaginosis (sp?). Anyways, definately go to the doctor if you have not already. There is one thing the doctor told me when I went that I had not thought of before....when you have a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or a bladder infection you do not want to have unprotected sex because men can be carriers and they will just give it right back to you. So, if you and your husband are having unprotected sex you might want to try using condoms until things have cleared up. I'm hope this was not too personal!!! :)

Hi S., I'd say most women have had this problem at least once and it ain't no fun lol. You may want to take a look at your diet--There are a lot of foods that can make it worse. Especially sugar, and alcohol. Everyone has yeast in their body all the time. It is part of the natural flora. If there is an overgrowth, this is when we notice it. You are right to eat yogurt, in fact , there are capsules you can buy at wal-mart--with billions of the good bacteria found in yogurt that can help get you back on track. Go to google and look it up--Candida infections--and you will find all you ever wanted to know! Good Luck!

You should have yourself tested for diabetes. Cronic yeast infections are a symptom of Diabetes. In the meantime, cut out all sugars, not just soda. You'll need to start reading labels.

Good luck!

I kept having them really bad, and they had me do Diflucan once a week for 3 weeks. Also, I switched my laundry detergent for my underwear to All - free of perfumes and dies. That helped more than anything for me. I had always used Tide with Bleach, and my mom had always used it too, but something happened, and I could not use it on my panties any more. Hope this helps. Thanks!

Some of the other responses are good, but I would also suggest you try Kefir. I know you said you eat yogurt, but Kefir has 10 live active cultures. This should help rebuild the good bacteria in your digestive system. It is a yogurt-like drink that comes in many flavors, and also in organic varieties. You can usually find it in the cold-healthfood section at your store.

You don't say that you're treating the infection with Monistat or any other OTC medication? Are you?

All the other things you are doing are good health habits, but are not a cure.

Have you tried using the Monistate type products for perhaps longer, like for two weeks?

I finally learned that if I used it just one night when I ovulated I did much better.

I had this problem when I was pregnant and stressed out because my husband had gone over the road and I hadn't seen him in many weeks. Is there any stress you can eliminate, and are you sure you aren't PG? That can make them worse. You can also put acidopholus pills up there, or even peeled garlic cloves. Now, I have never tried the cloves, but it is suppose to do the job. The acidopholus orally and inside are the best I have found outside of lessening the stress.

S., you did not mention whether or not you have been taking antibiotics for anything. Two items if you are taking antibiotics:

1. You can easily get a yeast imbalance
2. Antiobiotics negate birth control pills

I also found that if I eat a high amount of acid filled foods (love tomatoes in the summer months) I would get a yeast imbalance.

If you are not taking any antibiotics for anything, protect the sex until you are cleared up.

Good luck!

My daughter is prone to them each time she takes a antibotic so she now drinks alot of cranberry juice cocktail as a preventive measure to stop them before they would start. Hope this helps.

try taking 1 capsule daily of megaasadophlis. you can buy it at GNC.

I don't know if this has been suggested, and it sounds kind of gross but it WORKS!!! Get some cloves of garlic and peel them and score lines down the edges. Wrap one in some cheesecloth with some of the cloth hanging like a tampon and insert it at bedtime and remove it in the morning. Garlic is a natural bacteria killer. Also take garlic capsules....

OK - You may have heard this already, but in regards to treating... I personally can not use any over the counter products and I have to have a prescription prescribed and it is a one dose pill, it is the only thing that cuts it for me. The other this is cranberry juice. Make sure to look for the real stuff not dilluted. Good Luck!

My sister in law had the same problem. Her OB suggested that it could be in her hottub or bathtub. She suggested draining the hottub and getting new water and really cleaning her bathtub. Don't know if either of those are things have any bearing on your situation but there you go.

Most yogurt in stores don't contain enough probiotics. You need live active cultures & or perhaps acidopholus caps from a health food store. They can actually help you find many things that can help you there. Check out the book "The Yeast syndrome" from the library or buy it at the health food store. Avoid sugars also. In the store activia is a good yogurt. Good luck

Have you been on antibiotics or it you may be getting it from your husband, men do get them also just not as often you may want to talk to your doctor about that.

This is what I do. I sleep w/o underwear. I also take a bath with a little (2 T) apple cider vinegar. You swish the water up near your "business". I found this info on a natural health website. That seems to help me. Good Luck

I know it's been a couple of weeks but if you haven't been checked for diabetes you should. also don't just cut the sugar but try cutting out the bad carbs. (think white flour products). maybe watch the milk? hope this helps.

I had that problem a couple of years ago and found that Charmin Toilet paper and Always pads where causing it. Stopped using those products and haven't had a problem since. Something about the powders on them.

I used to have a lot of yeast infections. Now I don't. First of all, sugar and cheese are big culprits--yeast loves both. Make sure there is no sugar in your yogurt--if there is you're mostly defeating the purpose. Dannon plain yogurt has no sugar (not sure about the flavored ones) and some yogurts in the health food store have no sugar. However, I suggest don't get artificially sweetened ones because artificial sugar substitutes have much problems. If I remember right, fermented products and fungus (mushrooms) are also bad for this condition. Do some research, don't depend on the dr completely.
Good luck, E.

#1. Seriously cut back on your sugar intake.
#2. Get a product called Multidopholis (sp?) at your local healthfood store. It'll be in the refridgerator case, and is a bottle of capsules.
#3. Have your doctor check you for DIABETES. Recurring yeast infections are a tell-tale symptom of diabetes. Ask him to do the test that checks your sugar acitivity for the last 3 months. (I can't remember what they call it, but your doctor will know what you mean.)

Beyond that, you know the drill, I'm sure ......
no bubble baths, no pantyhose or tight fitting pants, cotton underpanties only, limit douching, and use good hygene practices, especially just before and just after intercourse.

Hi S.-
I used to have lots of yeast infections too. A conventional doc is not going to be able to get rid of it for you. They don't understand the big picture. There is a chiropractor in North KC who can cure your yeast problem. The yeast is from a systemic candida infection that you have in your body and unless you get rid of the candida then you will continue with the yeast infections on and off. I know firsthand as this was my situation. If you have taken antibiotics or steriods at all in your life then you will have candida. Dr. Salas is the only person in the city doing this kind of work. He will clear your candida out of the system and then no more yeast infections. You do have to be willing to commit a little time though and you must go on a anti-candida diet but only for a short time to keep it from coming back. It is amazing. I am totally free of the yeast and it is worth it!

Dr. Alain Salas
Pain and Stess Elimination Center
www.kcpainandstresscenter.com
###-###-####
405 E. 19th Ave.
North Kansas City, MO 64116

Cut back on dairy products & meat since (unless it's organic) it's all treated with antibiotics, thus leading to continual yeast overgrowth. Yogurt is good, but it must be organic!
Sugar feeds the yeast, even fruit sugar. Cut it out of your diet.
Optiflora by Shaklee is the best probiotic. The health food store brands do not compare. Their bacteria is dead or get killed off before reaching your intestines, even if it's refrigerated.
If you are still having problems, you may need to do a candida cleanse. Most Americans have yeast overgrowth b/c of our tainted food supply.
PLEASE email me if you have questions, I love helping people get healthy!
J.

I had those many years ago and have learned many things over the years. First, if you haven't checked your pH balance, find a nutritionist or chiropractor that can help you with that. Most MDs never check for pH balance and wouldn't know what lifestyle changes to recommend for a pH imbalance.

And yes, as someone else pointed out, make sure the yogurt is organic and it is best to use plain yogurt over fresh fruit or mixed with a fruit juice for a homemade smoothie. You don't want sugar in your yogurt if you want it to help with a yeast infection. Anyone who has ever baked bread from scratch knows that sugar feeds yeast. The best pro-biotic product I have found is called Life-5 and is sold by Young Living Essential Oils. Most popular yogurt brands do not have life cultures and are more of a desert than a source of nutrition.

The thing that always worked for me was to use a tablespoon of white vineger in a quart of purified water and douch. But, for some a tablespoon of baking soda works better. Just don't use both at the same time. And do not douch regularly -- only when there is an infection and avoid the commercial douches with chemicals.

It also helps to understand that yeasts, like candida, live on our skin and some condition is attracting them into the vaginal area. If you bathe instead of showering, put just half a cup of epsome salts into each bath to help normalize yeasts on your skin. Also, what sort of exercise do you get. Bicycles are notorious for encouraging both bladder and vaginal yeast infections in women, especially when wearing synthetic fibers. I would imagine the eliptical machines might have the same effect of encouraging yeasts and bacterias to move upward into the urethra and vagina.

Also it isn't just the panties you have to consider. The types of tight stretchy materials women often work out in or the pantyhose they wear are still an issue.

Hope this helps!

I can tell that once also had the same problem and I found out that it was actually Bacterial Vaginosis. My doctor gave a prescription sorry cannot remember the name. But I do know that it was mixed borit acid and I was to take it for a week. I have never had the problem. I explain to my doctor that it was painful to have sex and my inside just felt raw. I do know that the only place I could get this filled was at a small pharmacy North Oak. I hope this helps. I know how unconfortable this can be. Good luck

I feel your pain I have the same reaction i'm currently 22 weeks pregnant since I found out I was pregnant at 6 weeks I have had a yeast infection they clear up and reoccur again I haven't switched my diet since the dr hasn't told me to I keep getting it is because your pregnant and your bacteria flora is out of wack well i've never had a yeast infection this is my 3rd pregnancy and sick of it I'am going to ban all sex till after the baby since i feel everytime I get cured it comes back.I use no scented soaps and sleep with no undies on at nite to air out and alot of the other suggestions as well.I have alos tried plain yogurt as a cream before bedtime but that didn't last long I had to go ahead and use my prescription

This might sound like a stupid question and I am sure that you have dicussed it with your Dr. but, have you thought about your birthcontrol. I was the same when on one of the birthcontrols I was on. I quit taking it and the infections stopped.

Good Luck with the Dr. visit.

No one has mentioned this - in addition to taking acidophilus orally and eating plain yogart (active) - I was told, by a doctor, to also soak a tampon in yogurt and insert - repeat for 2-3 days.

Hi S.,

You've already gotten some great suggestions.
But remember yeast feeds on sugars and simple carbohydrates. And even though you say you're eating yogurt you may just be defeating the purpose since some 6 ounce cartons of yogurt have as much sugar as a 12 ounce can of soda! True, you can figure it out yourself. There are 4 grams of sugar per teaspoon. So look at the yogurt or anything your eating - find the grams of sugar and divide by 4. That's how many teaspoons your eating!
Plus try to stay away from processed, simple carbs. Think anything white. . .white sugar, white bread, white flour.
Start sprinkling cinnamon on your foods. Cinnamon has been shown to have anti-fungal properties.

I personally would stay away from over the counter supplements. Many do not have the amount of ingredients they say they do and may even have unwanted or un-needed ingredients not even listed.

Oh, and remember alcohol is really a simple carb as well. So until you get this under control, no beer, wine, cocktails. That will just turn into sugar.

In good health,

Lori Krause, RN
www.YourKitchenCoach.net

S.,
Someone else brought up what I was going to say, no unprotected sex while you are treating a yeast infection. You'll just pass it back and forth to eachother.

I had 5 UTI's in 3 months... I feel your pain! My doc ended up putting me on antibiotics for a year straight! Since then I take cranberry pills- 2 a day and I have only had 3 or 4 in the 5 years since I've been taking the cranberry. I hate the taste of cranberry juice- so the pills are easier for me :) (I didn't read the previous responses- there were so many- so this may have already been mentioned!) Also make sure that the yogurt you're eating is a 'live active' yogurt!