(no subject)

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

I'm on the birth control pill Triphasil-28. I've been on the damned pills for almost 4 years now. The only bad side affect appears to be infections of all kinds. Before taking these pills I had never once suffered a yeast infection or vaginitis. Ever. Now that I'm on the pills I find myself dealing with a yeast infection every few months along with almost constant vaginitis.

Does this happen to anyone else on the pill?

Comments

yeast infection/vaginitis and the pill

[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

Although there is no study or evidence that would indicate a connection between the pill and your infections...your own personal experience speaks for something. I'd be curious to know wether the start of these monthly infections coincided with you taking the pill...or if you possibly are taking antibiotics (in either the pill or cream form) that could be causing the infections. There are cases where once the cycle of yeast infections gets started, it's hard to break. For example: you may have started the pill...and yes, it probably changed your pH enough to allow growth of bacteria. And, while this could be the cause of your recurrent monthly infections... I'm skeptical. Without taking a full and complete history, it's impossible to accurately diagnose causes or suggest treatmens. HOWEVER, some people experience recurrent yeast infections because their first exposure was never completely treated. This leads to the growth of more resistant bacteria...which leads to more and more severe infections, or a lingering infection. It's also possible that you have a chronic yeast growth in the vaginal area and you notice it more at certain times of the month. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS THIS.... did you start taking the pill when you started having sex??? Or, are you taking the pill to regulate periods? If the answer is the first, I think it's likely that your partner(s) could be attributing to the infections. Or more precisely, sex itself could be the cause of your vaginitis and yeast infections...as the bacteria introduced in bodily fluids can also lead to both of your problems. I'm not saying "DON'T HAVE SEX!", I'm just saying,...you have to look at all the possible causes. Hope this has given you some ideas to discuss with your doctor!!

Re: yeast infection/vaginitis and the pill

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I wonder if these doctors are even listening to me. I've discussed this with three doctors already. All have said that there is absolutely no correlation between taking the pill and vaginal infections. My boyfriend is being treated for a prostate infection. I thought there might be some sort of issue there also but every doctor has just looked at me like I'm nuts, one actually laughed at me, and said that it's impossible.

Re: yeast infection/vaginitis and the pill

[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmm... I would look into finding a doctor who listens to you. Rule number one: never rule out what the patient is telling you! While they're technically right, there has been no "PROVEN" relationship between the pill and infections, in masse. You should always listen to what the patients suspects. Since I don't know your complete history,...I really can't suggest more than I have. I would definately see a new physician and tell him the following (in fact, jot the answers down before you go in).
1) Track the cycle in relation to the infections.
ex: Day 12 of cycle = vaginal discharge
2) Keep a diary/calender with the length of your cycles and the flow (heavy, light, clotted, thin..)
3) Does the infection/discharge react to changes in diet or sexual activity/frequency.
4) If you abstain from sex (for a whole cycle), does the infection improve?
5) Overall health- write down recent infections, medications you've been on, problems....

If you walk in with all this information, the doctor will HAVE TO pay attention to you. Good luck!

Re: yeast infection/vaginitis and the pill

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

That's a great idea that I really should have thought of. Thanks I'll start writing things down :)

[danskpige.livejournal.com]

i also have problems with frequent yeast infectins. and i also took triphasil, several years ago... that was around the time that my yeast infections started. but it was also the time that i first started having sex.

i know how annoying that problem can be! i've tried a couple of alternative things to get rid of the frequent infections, my latest plan is to go on a 2-week diet severely restricting my sugar and carbohydrate intake, to try and kill the little buggers. i'm pretty sure that i've got yeast overgrowth all through my system (have found some interesting information about yeast, my starting point was the about.com website on yeast).

just to say, you are not alone...

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

I've been having sex for about 3 years longer than I've been on the pill and never had this problem until I started taking Triphasil. Well at least I'm not crazy...

[jaipur.livejournal.com]

Yes--I've picked up a couple of books on what to do with non-stop yeast infections, the yeast-free cookbook, all that stuff. The first thing they all tell you is if you're on birth control pills, get off. I found switching to Micronor (no-estrogen mini-pill) took care of most of my yeast infections. You could try that--it's not as bullet-proof as the full pills, but it works.

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

Lately it's more bacterial infections which aren't quite as symtomatic as yeast infections but I think much worse. I'll ask about the Micronor.