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Recurrent Yeast Infection due to Stress? or Herpes or something else?!!

I'm 24 and female, the last time I was sexually active was December 22 of 2007. Around that time I noticed a wart/molluscum around my thigh area and went to Planned Parenthood on December 29th to get it diagnosed and treated. They also took my PAP and culture for a Chlamidya and Gohnorrea (sp?) test. The results came back normal and negative. I have been very stressed ever since. In January I had a Yeast Infection which i was given Gynazole 1 day treatment.

I went on vaction and lived in  bathing suit few weeks ago I thought i  came home with  a yeast infection and bought monistat 3 it didnt help. when it did not I went BACK to Planned Parenthood and this time I saw an actual doctor! apparently the first 2 times i had see a nurse practicioner. The Doctor told me i had no signs of herpes (i had convinced myself I had herpes and have been terrified) and tested me for a BV and Yeast Infection which i had BOTH. He gave me 2 difulcan pills one to take that day and then a second to take when i had finished the 7 day metronidazole pills. I took the final Diflucan pill on Wednesday and started seeing some improvement and i got my period on Friday and now its sunday and I'm dry and itchy and i feel as though the Yeast Infection has returned. today there is some slight thick white discharge, but not too much. I heard that your period can cause another yeast infection but it can also help it? I also found a bump on friday morning and feel as though it might be a wart (has not changed in size color or shape since friday) but my mind has worked its magic and i have been stressing about it.

I also have had cold sores on my mouth since I was a child and I know what to look for i am not seeing anything similar at all but it doesnt help me stress any less. Could i possilbly have a yeast infection that isnt going away? due to stress or something else?
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad we could help.  I think the course you have taken is the right one.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Dr. Hook,

I had a Dr's appointment today where he treated me with TCA for the bump which he decided was a wart. He also told me I had no signs of herpes, and that i needed to relax because i was driving myself insane over this. Afterwards I called the SDT hotline and spoke with someone who said it might be best for me to get tested so I found a testing site and went to my local Quest Diagnostics and got a bloodtest for all seven of the STDs. So hopefully by Saturday/Monday I will have my full results.

thank you once again for your help!

Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The culture performed for yeast would not detect herpes and vis versa.  On the other hand, why impose another diagnosis on yourself when you have a (actually two -yeast and chemical sensitivity).

Many people with herpes do not know they ahve it and/or do not recognize outbreaks.  

In reading your posts, I think that you might benefit from a direct conversation with someone knowledgeable about the disease.  The American Social Health Association (ASHA)  has both a good web site and, perhaps more useful for you, a hot line where you could talk to someone to work these issues out for yourself.  (Disclosure - both Dr. Handsfield and I are on the Board of Directors of ASHA)  EWH
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Avatar universal
Thank you Doctor!

I appreciate your reassurance however, I'm still scared! I am feeling slightly less irritated than I was yesterday when i posted, however there is still some irritation which worries me greatly.

Regarding the possible misdiagnosis of a yeast infection, is it possible that they can do a misdiagnosis when doing a culture of the vagina and testing for yeast? Thats how I've been diagnosed both times. Is through a culture swab. Sorry for the ongoing questions I just want to make sure I fully understand so I dont start to believe I've been misdiagnosed all these times.  I've also been told that the virus can lay dormant for up to 5 years before an outbreak. Is that true?I have been bouncing around the idea of getting tested, I am scared to I already know i have oral from my childhood which I believe most people have, but I am just terrified.

Thanks again!
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the follow-up.  Sensitivity to the perfumes and other substances on tampons or other feminine hygiene products is rather common. Indeed, this could explain your symptoms.

You are correct that herpes can be misidentified as yeast infections but in your situation you have a good explanation for what is going on.  Getting a blood test for herpes might provide you with reassurance if negative or it might open a can of worms if positive since it would not tell you when you got the infection, from whom, or how it was manifested in your case.  As you describe yourself, you are rather low risk but HSV is common, being present in about 1 in 5 women in the US.  Using these data you have to make the call on testing.  My sense is that at this time it is to your advantage to leave things alone. EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your response. I think I might have solved my problem! I accidentally bought scented tampons which could have irritated my already sensitive area! I stopped using them last night and I believe i am feeling better this morning! Hopefully!

I have read somewhere that sometimes clinicians or patients will misdiagnose a herpes outbreak for a yeast infection. I am terrified of contracting this disease and wanted to know the truth behind this. I have had 4 partners my entire life 3 of whom were once, and mostly protected. The partner I had for a long time got tested every 6 months. So should I go get myself tested for herpes or leave it alone? I have no plans on any sexual contact until i am in a serious monagamous relationship. But I live in fear.


Thank you Dr. Hook

Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Recurrent yeast infections are an all too common problem.  They can be related to any number of circumstances including antibiotic therapy, diabetes, steroid medications, menses and stress.  Very, very rarely they are resistant to fluconazole but that too is very unusual.  My advice is to work through this with your doctor.  Sometimes it takes a certain amount of trial and error to get things under control and the perspective of having worked through it with the same clinician helps to bring this about.

As far as the bump. sometimes yeast infections present as bumps but the best way to address this is to also bring it to the doctor's attention when you see him/her to discuss the persistent/recurring yeast.  In a minority of patients longer courses of therapy are needed.  I hope this is helpful. Good luck.  EWH.  
Helpful - 0

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