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Recurrent Yeast Infections

Please help me find relief! I have recurrent yeast infections monthly. I have gotten one a month since I gave birth to my last child in November. I have been to my gynecologist multiple times for this issue and I get no where. I call every month and get a diflucan pills & it usually always clears it up quickly, however, this month has been AWFUL! I am currently dealing with another yeast infection which is much worse this time. Extreme itchiness, swollen, red, and now burning because I woke up scratching in the middle of the night. Only sitting in the warm bath seems to ease my symptoms up. I’ve taken a diflucan pill and am now treating with a prescription cream. How is boric acid? I’m about to buy some and try it. I’m desperate!
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134578 tn?1693250592
COMMUNITY LEADER
Here's a good rundown from the Mayo Clinic's website. I like it because it doesn't just stop by suggesting an antifungal medication.

______

For mild to moderate symptoms and infrequent episodes, your doctor might recommend:

    Short-course vaginal therapy. Taking an antifungal medication for three to seven days will usually clear a yeast infection. Antifungal medications are available as creams, ointments, tablets and suppositories. They include miconazole (Monistat 3) and terconazole. Some are available over-the-counter and others by prescription.
    Single-dose oral medication. Your doctor might prescribe a one-time, single oral dose of fluconazole (Diflucan). To manage more-severe symptoms, you might take two single doses three days apart.

See your doctor again if treatment doesn't resolve your symptoms, or if your symptoms return within two months.

If your symptoms are severe, or you have frequent yeast infections, your doctor might recommend:

    Long-course vaginal therapy. Your doctor might prescribe an antifungal medication taken daily for up to two weeks, followed by once a week for six months.
    Multidose oral medication. Your doctor might prescribe two or three doses of an antifungal medication to be taken by mouth instead of vaginal therapy.
    Azole resistant therapy. Your doctor might recommend boric acid, a capsule inserted into your vagina. This medication may be fatal if taken orally and is used only to treat candida fungus that is resistant to the usual antifungal agents.

Alternative medicine

No alternative medicine therapies have proven to treat vaginal yeast infections. Some complementary and alternative therapies may provide some relief when combined with your doctor's care.

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

    Have you recently taken antibiotics?
    Are you sexually active?
    Are you pregnant?
    Do you use scented soap or bubble bath?
    Do you douche or use feminine hygiene spray?


    

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Avatar universal
Thank you for all of this info. I have taken any antibiotics lately, I am not pregnant, I do not used scented soap, and I don’t douche or use hygiene spray. However, I am sexually active. This actually started the day after I had sex.
Helpful - 0
134578 tn?1693250592
COMMUNITY LEADER
Well, I guess you could consider asking your partner to get checked for fungal infections, but that's not the most common way to get yeast infections.

Here's from a different website. Not all of it applies, since for example you don't douche, but I'll post it all because you're not the only person ever to write in with this question. One of the ideas I had is that you might have passed the yeast infection to your partner (as mentioned here), who then passed it back to you. If that is what's going on, he should get the Difulcan when you do.

Lifestyle Choices That May Cause a Yeast Infection

    Sexual activity – Many women report getting a yeast infection after sexual intercourse. If you can, it is best to clean your genitals after sex to get rid of any foreign bacteria. Men can also develop yeast infections in their genitals (although not usually as frequently as females). In these cases, sexual contact can transmit a yeast infection from one person to another. Be honest with your partner if you have a yeast infection to avoid spreading the infection.
    Poor eating habits – A healthy diet will help protect your body against infection. Changes in diet may weaken your body’s defenses.
    Immense stress – stress can change the balance of your body’s chemistry, which can lead to surprising and uncomfortable physiological changes.
    Tight clothing/new clothing; detergent – Wearing tight clothing, especially pants and underwear can restrict airflow to your vagina. Yeast thrive in warm, moist, protected areas. If you find that tight clothing leads to itchiness or discomfort in your genital area, consider wearing more breathable fabrics. New brands of detergent may irritate the sensitive skin in contact with your clothing. If the problem coincides with switching to a new detergent, consider trying a different brand.
    Lack of sleep – A lack of sleep can throw off various functions of your body and in conjunction with other lifestyle changes, can lead to imbalances in bacteria.
    Taking baths – Taking frequent baths can cause yeast infections because they provide a warm, moist environment for yeast. Try switching to showers some of the time if you find that baths irritate your vaginal area.
    Douching – Engaging in douching may cause yeast infections because it disrupts the balance of bacteria and yeast in and around the vaginal area.
    Taking birth control/hormone treatment pills – As your body adjusts to a new regimen of contraceptives or hormone treatment, you may experience yeast infections. With treatment and after adapting to the introduction of hormones, these symptoms should go away.
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