Mild itching after sex

[catfyre34]

I have had several yeast infections as well as BV over the past 10 years. I was just treated 3 times for yeast and 1 time for BV in this last month alone. I was on a slew of antibiotics and that is how I got the yeast infection this time, which turned into BV. I am doing everything that I am supposed to. I've pretty much given up on underwear if I'm not wearing jeans or a dress. I'm drinking milk with acidophiullus cultures in it daily and I am eating more yogart. I've stopped using feminine sprays and washes - I switched to sensitive-skin, scent-free soap (Dove bar,) and when I bathe, I don't use anything in my tub at all, nothing but plain water to relax in. I can't shave in the shower but instead of sitting in the tub where the shaving cream could have some affect on me, I sit on the side of the tub instead.

When I found out that my yeast infection had turned into bacterial vaginosis, my doctor gave me Clyndamiacin and Fluconazole to prevent another yeast infection in case my body didn't like the Clyndamiacin. I started the Clyndamiacin, then three days later I took the Fluconazole. I abstained from sex for 10 days (like I was told to.) I also started a diet that incorporated Acidophillus cultures into my daily intake. I have done everything that my physician has told me to (meds and abstaining) as well as changing my diet and habits to ensure that the likelihood  of this recurring (again!) doesn't happen. Well, today was the 10th day. We used KY Jelly instead of the liquid lubricants (I was told that that might be the problem by a couple of people. I don't think that the amount of lube is the problem,) and now there's mild itching after we've had sex. It's not to the point where I feel like it's going to fall off, but I am worried. Like I said, I have been on antibiotics for the past two months and I don't want this to be happening again.

I am allergic to latex and I seem to be extremely sensitive "down there." I have tried quite a few different types of lubrication and now I just don't know what to do. The last thing that I tried was KY Jelly because the liquid didn't seem to be thick enough. We've used it once. After we had sex, I didn't burn like I had on many occasions before that, but there was still tenderness and mild itching. Sex doesn't do this to me all of the time, but it seems that the older I get, the more often it happens. I have also used both lamb-skin and polyurethane condoms and, although I don't have an actual allergic reaction to them (if the latex condom touches me for even a second, things get painful and ugly really quickly,) they still cut me up and irritate my skin, no matter how much lube I use. I was tested for STDs the last time that I went in and everything was normal.

I have had pain off and on since I started having sex, from fissures to mild itching. Most of the time, it goes away after a day or two. I've been to see my doctor 4 times now in the past month for YIs and BV and I don't want to go back again if I don't really have to.

Does anyone have any opinions, suggestions, insights, etc.? Anything would be great.

[catfyre34]

Something you may also want to look into is called Vestibulitis. It is a condition that happens after a woman has had multiple infections. Pretty much what happens is that, because your body is so used to the infection, it doesn't know that it has gone away - the nerves in the vestibule and surrounding fauna are still irritated and going haywire. That's what I was diagnosed with, after the infections finally managed to disappear, after months of continuous yeast and BV. I will most likely have this condition for the rest of my life. The usual treatment is with anti-depressants, but because of some personal medical history, I can't use them. They just don't work well on my psyche.

Rx strength Xylocaine ointment (Lydocaine,) is used to treat the burning that goes along with the Vestibulitis, and that is pretty much all that I am able to use. If you keep getting infections and you have the burning and itching and such, maybe talk to your Dr. about getting a scrip for the Xylocaine. At least you'll have some relief from the itching and burning that OTC vaginal creams don't give...it numbs you up. Try using an icepack or cool rag also, when your burning and itching feel like they are getting worse. It does help a lot. (even if it's repeated infections instead of Vestibulitis.)

There isn't a lot of good sources on the web about this condition. A lot of women have it due to repeated infections but it's still being researched. I was told by my gyn to read a book called "The 'V' Book" by Elizabeth Gunther Stewart and Paula Spencer. It talks about vulvar pain and stuff like that.

There is a website for this book, as well. www.thevbook.com. I haven't read it yet, but I plan to.

Thanks for the suggestions and good luck!

[roser44]

Oh my god that was like hearing my story all over again the only difference is that im not allergic to latex or get that many yeast infections. My thing is the BV. I've done extensive research on BV and have come 2 learn that antibiotics only make the situation worse cause when taken even though you are killing off the bad bacteria that is causin the infection you are also killing off the good bacteria that is in the vagina aswell. Making it difficult for the infecton to stay away cause their is not enough good bacteria to fight the other off, so it returns. I've had a problem with BV for almost 4 years now and realized that leaving it alone is best. When i leave it alone the BV tends 2 almost go away. Or rather it lightens up. I take these pills called Mega Flora which you can find in your local health food store. It has 20 billion strains of beneficial good bacteria. I take 2 a day in the morning 1/2 hour before i eat. The pills have alot more that acidophilis in it. They seem 2 work for me. Coninue eating alot of yogurt but the natural kind without fruit in it. try to stay away from alot of sugar, and liquer. Liquer has alot of sugar in it, i would notice if i drank the next day i would see the difference. or itch n irritation i also use Femmisil from the Aidance products. That also has helped me. Go onto the web sight and check it out, aidance.com. As far as the lubrication i use Astroglide it is glycerin and paraben free and is non irritating. Thats the first lubrication that hasn't irritated me. I know it's very frustrating. Sometimes i don't feel normal, but i continue to do research on how to help myself. Try these suggestions i told you about and hope you get some relief.