Yeast infection .. i think

[woody21]

Hello to all.  I would like some advice please :)  
For the last week I have had a vaginal yeast infection.  I tried Monistat 1 ovule insert and that hasn't really helped much.  I'm having Acidophilus tablets twice a day and I'm eating plenty of natural "live" yogurt too.  I have also tried inserting some yogurt which has helped quite a bit but it just seems to be hanging in there.  Should i try another Monistat product or continue with the yogurt?  I'm Australian and am living in the United States.  I do have travel insurance but it seems alot of doctors won't see to me without health insurance.  It's awfully expensive to see a doctor, even though i do have travel insurance, i still have to dig into my pocket first then it takes some time to put in my claim.  With this yeast infection i have experienced some lower abdominal pain and prior to the infection, i was experiencing abdominal pain during and after intercourse.
I have had 3 yeast infections in 6 months, which I'm not to sure if that is "normal".  
Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[niobe]

Well - ideally you should go to the dr. or urgent care clinic and get checked out.  While there you could get Diflucan, which is a yeast infection treatment (as you probably know) only available by prescription.  I wish it were available over-the-counter, but unfortunately, it's not.

If this isn't an option, I'd try Monistat 7.  It's annoying to take the seven-day treatment, but my friends and I have found that the one-day treatment doesn't always work.

Also, I do think three yeast infections in six months can be normal, if you're the type of person that's susceptible.  If you're in this position, you might want to consider upgrading your supplement intake (vitamins, minerals) and also taking probiotics of some sort.  I used to get recurrent yeast infections and bladder infections and finally solved the problem by doing just that.  Haven't had a yeast infection in two years since then!  Incidentally, it might also help to have your sexual partner use condoms, if he's not already.  good luck.

[woody21]

Thanks for the help!

I have just started taking a green powder supplement and the acidophilus tablets.  I'm also on the contraceptive pill.  I think i read somewhere that they can contribute to yeast infections too.
When you have your period, does that help "flush" out the infection at all?  I'm due today so I will have to see how the week goes before i start the Monistat 7.

Thanks again, I appreciate the help.

[niobe]

Funky things can happen when you're on the pill, 'tis true.

I'd be curious to ask a dr. if one's period helps "flush" out the infection.  I really don't know.  On the one hand, it makes sense to me that it would.  At the same time, I know vaginal pH becomes less acidic during menstruation.

I'm with you ... it would be weird to try Monistat again while you're on your period!

You are handling this really well.  Yeast infections used to drive me crazy... esp. if I had one during my period.  If Monistat didn't work, I'd be off to the dr. b/c I couldn't take it anymore!  But I understand why you hesitate to go to the dr.

BTW, if you have frequent infections, which seems to be the case, you may have built up some kind of 'immunity' toward the Monistat.

I also know one woman who swears that her yeast infections stopped when she started to shower with an antibacterial soap (like Dial).  That sounds like an urban myth to me, but she swears it's true.  I've never tried it myself.