yeast and periods

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

My whole life so far, I've considered myself near yeast-proof. I spent a long time with chronic itching, but eventually realized that it was an allergy to laundry detergent, and not yeast.

One year ago, I went in for a pap smear and the doctor said I had a yeast infection. I had no discharge that I could see, no smell, no itch, but I was cottage-cheesy around the cervix. She gave me meds, it cleared up, and I had the pap the following month.

Now I'm insanely itchy again. I was thinking it could be detergents, but I've been running around nearly pantsless for a day, and it still itches. (I also wash my undies with almost no detergent, and that a very "pure" detergent, and I haven't had detergent-related itching in years.)There has been no smell, no discharge. What have I been doing differently? Oh! I just finished a massive treatment with Keflex! I'll bet this is a yeast infection. So this morning I decided to go to the doctor tomorrow to ask, and what should arrive but my period, with no warning. (I've gotten so used to particular PMS symptoms that I rarely check the calendar.)

I'd like to self-treat, in the meantime. I can't imagine, with my first-coupla-days flow, that I'll have visible yeast symptoms. But I can't see yogurt working well when I've got the faucet running full bore, either.

What treats yeast during menstruation? Should I skip tampons and use pads only? What'll help the itch?

Mary, yeast-itch clue-impaired

Comments

[wyliekat.livejournal.com]

There is a topical application that you can buy over the counter (monistat and a few others make them). Texture wise it's a bit like polysporin, so it's pretty impervious to being rubbed off by menstruation. It will probably get rid of the itching temporarily, and I'll say that at least once in the past, just a quick topical application actually cleared up a yeast infection for me.

[princessblondie.livejournal.com]

I am a FIRM believer that every woman, whether yeast infested or yeast-free should take Acidophilus (spelling?) regularly.

It promotes healthy intestinal function, and does your body the same good that eating plain yogurt does. It's the good bacteria that fights off the nasty bacterias that cause yeast infections.

It's simple, easy, and is taken just like a vitamin. I swear by it. I'm not a fan of over the counter solutions unless desperate. Homeopathic, herbal, and natural remedies are my preference, as I find with most over the counter meds, there are always some form of side effect & you find yourself dealing with something else, or over-doing whatever you're trying to do.

best of all, it's not a messy cream, nobody knows but you, and you genuinely feel good knowing it's a preventative as well as a cure.

Princess
xoxoxo

*while you're not sure what you've got, you might want to cut down on your bad carbs (i.e. white bread & things of that nature, as your body turns them into sugar, and sugar is a big contributor to yeast infections, as well as cut back or cut out your caffiene intake... that's a biggie)

[zentariana.livejournal.com]

it's even easier to just buy the milk with it added.

Re:

[princessblondie.livejournal.com]

milk with acidophilus? Never heard of it...

*and I also have a very hard time digesting milk...

Many women in their mid to late 20's develop a form of lactose intolerance.

[zentariana.livejournal.com]

yeah. well. at least they have it here.
milk plus acidophilus plus biophidus.
it's good for people who hate pills and can deal with milk.
without milk, definately take the pills.
it's such wonderful stuff!

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I've seen milk with acidophilus added all over the place, but some folks don't drink much milk.

[feroluce.livejournal.com]

acidophilus is the ONLY thing that gets me through antibiotic runs any more. i took biaxin once and got such a HORRIFIC yeast infection...man, i thought i was burning. so i take them daily now, and slightly more when i'm on any meds.

this only started after i went to guatemala a few years ago and got an intestinal amoeba (this needing acidophilus with antibiotics thing) so i'm assuming there's a connection.

OH!

[princessblondie.livejournal.com]

I should have also mentioned for any women who aren't aware...

we all have yeast. Our yeast levels rise & fall in & around our period. That's why so many women get a yeast infection shortly before their period.

Acidophilus can be taken before, during & after your period, and if you're suffering from a yeast infection, there's nothing harmful in taking an extra 2 or 3 caplets of the acidophilus to kick up your system.

My doc once recommended to me that I take an anti yeast treatment after my period, while my yeast levels were at their lowest. Make sense?

To lower my yeast levels even further, so that the next time my period was coming around, my yeast levels would rise, but not enough to bring on an infection.

Some women go through life never having one at all. Unfortunately, it's one of those things though, where once you have one, you're vulnerable to more...

Don't use anti-bacterial soap down there, as it's too strong & often kills the good bacteria we have, thus making a lovely environment for an infection.

um... I think that's all. Sheesh, I'm on a roll today.

Princess
xoxo

Re: OH!

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I'm 39, this is only my second yeast infection ever, and my eating and coffee-drinking has been all over the map at various phases of my life. I'm not inclined to think that carbs matter a lot to yeast in my own system. If yeast infections become an issue for me, I'll explore whether my system has changed, and whether food might be a culprit. I do eat live-culture yogurt a lot, and it makes sense to add acidophilus.

I don't use any soap on my inner vulva, I don't use anti-bacterial soap anywhere on my body, and I use low-pH glycerine soap on my outer vulva.

My guess is that this time, it was the Keflex that kicked it off. I took a massive course for a cyst.

[sugarpuss.livejournal.com]

When I had the one yeast infection that I've ever had, my doctor prescribed something right over the phone that involved something that looked like a hypodermic needle without the sharp part, and involved shooting thick white cream into myself three nights in a row before bed. Cleared it right up.

[gigglinggorgon.livejournal.com]

most over the counter yeast infection creams can be used during menstruation. :)

[inanna.livejournal.com]

i think you've gotten some great advice... my only suggestion is to confirm NO TAMPONS while dealing with this. The last thing you want to do is add to the yeast breeding ground.

i hope you are feeling better soon... this is just so uncomfortable, i hope it is over soon!

[solsistr3.livejournal.com]

The best thing if you are on your period is probably diflucan. It is this pink pill. You take it once, and the infection take 3-7 days to clear up, depending how bad it was. You have to get it from your Gyn, but a nice one will give it to you if you have had those infections before.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

And it turns out (as I arrive home from the doctor's office) that it's not yeast, and not bacteria. It seems to be an allergic reaction, though we don't know yet to what.