Chronic Yeast Infections

I just need an opinion. I have had a recurrent yeast infection for the past three months. It goes away and comes back even with medication. The only sympton I have now is itching. Can recurrent yeast infections be an early sympton of HIV, infection started 8 days after possible exposure. Just had 3 month HIV test done, waiting on results. My doctor seems pretty optimistic thats its not HIV related but I'm still very scared. Has anyone heard of a woman having recurrent yeast infection as her first HIV sympton? Thanks!

[gretchen36]

I've heard of women having recurrent yeast infections every month right before their period starts....especially if they're on the pill. How recurrent are they? Once every month? Or more often? Please try not to worry so much, you'll make yourself sick. I know that on the leaflet inside the box of yeast infection meds tells you about possible causes of reccurent yeast infections and HIV is one of them, but that doesn't mean it is. I personally don't know of anyone who had that as a first sign of HIV. There could be something else going on. Yeast infections are more common in the hotter weather too. There are alot of other causes out there for recurrent yeast infections. I hope this helps.

[woody21]

I have also been a suffer of recurrent yeast infections.  I just found out i have ovarian cysts, on both sides, one side having quite a large cyst.  
However I did try going the natural way after Monistat didn't help.  I started taking Acidohphilus tablets twice a day, Olive Leaf Extract twice a day and Pau D'Arco Bark Extract twice a day.  It worked very well for me.  I found a website about natural remedies for yeast infections.
There is a list of different remedies you can have.. worth a look, it worked for me :)
Hope this helps :)

[worriedaboutoral]

thanks! My 3 month HIV test was negative, so its not HIV! So thats good, maybe the anxiety of the whole test caused it. Ive heard alot about he acidophilus tablets so maybe ill try that. Gretchen36, ill be fine for a couple of weeks, then the itching will return for about a week. its only itching, no discharge.

[gretchen36]

That's great to hear. At least that takes a load off your mind. Acidophilus tablets are great and they work too! Best of luck to you.

[worriedaboutoral]

thanks that takes a load off. thats all i could think that it was. Thank god!

[brokenwoman]

i have also noticed that when I eat alot of sugar or sweets i get the yeast infections.  Especially right after Halloween, Easter and the Holidays.  also, warm weather and increased sweat causes them.
yogurt daily and acidophilus really help.

[worriedaboutoral]

Thanks!

[saturnine]

i too had recurrent yeast infections for a while. my doctor would treat me and then i would get a bacterial infection from the yeast treatment, and have to go on antibiotics....the cycle was terrible. i religiously took acidophilus and it NEVER helped me. as someone mentioned before, birth control pills seem to make women more prone to an overgrowth of yeast. i can certainly attest to this, i ended up changing my diet a bit, drinking more water, and i also noticed a big change when i went on another type of birth control.

[gretchen36]

I agree with the overgrowth of yeast while on BC pills. When I was on them I would get a yeast infection at least every other month before my period would start and every time I took antibiotics. I've been off of the BC pill since February and I haven't had one yeast infection since.....even when I took antibiotics a couple weeks ago. I do think the pill has alot to do with it.

[worriedaboutoral]

I am on BC, but was on it almost 2 years before I got this recureent yeast infection. Right now I am on a steroid ointment for itching. Im going to back to the doctor sometime to see if she can give me an oral prescription. Shes still not exactly sure I have a yeast infection, I have no discharge, all the paps have not shown yeast, the only sympton I have is itching and redness. She thinks it could be a contact dermitis, but we can't figure out the cause. but since I know now Its not related to HIV, it has gotten better, I think stress was a big cause of it. Thanks!

[gretchen36]

I remember that for a period of time I used to have the itching and burning in my vaginal area. They treated me for yeast infections and bacterial infections and it never seemed to stop. One doctor told me I had cervical erosion and that was what was causing it. I would get more irritated after sexual intercourse. They found this out after months and months of discomfort. It seems after I got prgnant and had my daughter everything stopped. I hope they figure out what is wrong and get it taken care of for you. It can be torture to live with..... and I undersand completely what you are going through.

[saturnine]

yeah, i was on BC for years before i had the whole yeast problem..but i still maintain that it had something to do with the particular one i was on

[worriedaboutoral]

I've never had sexual intercourse, my HIV scare was oral. Im suppose to be getting married next summer to the greatest guy ever, I just want everything cleared up before then haha.

[Meggie904]

Which BC were you guys on because I have had the same issues for the past few months.. I also have Large ovarian cysts (not cancer thank god) but it's like every month about a week and a half left to go before my period the sypmtoms start up again.... Its very annoying, my gyno is always telling me its not yeast because he doesnt see "enough" stuff when I am being examined.  It is awful but I have been tested for like everything else and it always says there is nothing wrong with me... What BC would you recommend changing to if any of you have had releif from doing so??

[gretchen36]

I was on triphasil and got those symptoms. I don't think there's much you can do. I think it's caused from the estrogen in the pills. I've been off the pill for 6 monghts or so and I haven't had a yeast infection since. Before those pills I was on and Ortho brand and still got the yeast infections.

[free spirit]

Negative yeast cultures along with itching and redness, or burning may be signs of vulvodynia.  Lots of info on vulvodynia.com in the FAQ section.

The estrogen in bcp does help feed yeast if you are susceptible to it.  Things change.  I was on bcp for 5 years without a problem and then bamm,  major problems getting rid of a hard to treat subspecies of candida.  They pain and discomfort from the yeast infection can lead to tight pelvic floor muscles. This chronic tension can cause your nerves in the vulva and surrounding area to constantly be 'on', signaling pain.  

Stay away from Always pads.  Many women are allergic to them.

[Meggie904]

I just wanted to add that I am so grateful for this site... I was really beginning to think that I was dying or had like HIV or diabetes.... It was like no one could help me or understand what I was going through.. So thank you ALL.

[Meggie904]

OMG... I just stopped using Always. I have not noticed a large difference yet but I def noticed some difference.  I am on the Femcon FE... When I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, I think I had issues but not as bad as I have them now... Is there a test they can do for Vulvodynia.?  I think I need a new doc, mine is getting old, maybe I just need someone more "modern"?????