Question:
Yeast Infections
I'm 37 and have had my first yeast infection. I find this to be strange as I never ever had any problems like this before in my life. At first I was scared to death wondering what I had, because I never would have thought a yeast infection could cause such severe itching. I went to my gyn and she told me to take 7 day treatment of monistat and gave me a prescription lotion. I did and it seemed like it cleared up. Now, I started my period and I am again getting itching like it is coming back. I have a lot of excess skin in that area and I'm wondering if maybe the skin is coming together keeping that area moist so that the yeast can grow. The itching is all around, but a lot of it is around my clit where it is pretty closed in. This happen to anyone else? Any advice? — Gay S. (posted on September 26, 2003)
September 25, 2003
Yes. Unfortunately I have chronic yeast infections and Urinary tract
infections due to my prolapsed pubic area. I have to pick up the skin to
wipe myself. I got tired of having to call my doctor all the time for
diflucan (wonderful little pill) that she finally gave me a prescription
bottle of diflucan which are usually sold as a single pack. I am having an
abdominoplasty done December 31st and he will throw in a pretty extensive
pubic lift on me cutting the area in two places vertically and then
tightening it up together. I am absolutely certain and he is too that this
is the cause of my problems. I dont always get discharge, a lot of the
time it is just extreme itching and dryness too. Like an external yeast
infection in the folds around the inner labia. Sorry to be so graphic but
this is a problem that makes my surgery medically necessary even though
insurance wont pay for it. I wouldnt even mess with that nasty monistat.
Get diflucan, one pill usually clears it up but sometimes it takes two
because we dont absorb all of the medicine.
— danabky
September 26, 2003
Like Jennifer, I use a diaper rash ointment and baby powder in the folds of
my skin that are prone to infection (did even before surgery). The awful
smell in Desitin is the cod liver oil, which does nothing to help with the
healing. There are many other brands of diaper rash ointment that do not
contain cod liver oil. I recommend any of them.
— Vespa R.
September 26, 2003
Thanks for the responses. I had the abdominoplasty which did not pick up
much from that are. Then I had a pubic lift, but it still sags a lot. I
could tell my doctor I am not pleased with it and have it redo it, I guess,
but to be honest, I don't want any more surgery in that area. I just
thought it was strange to be in my mid 30's and get my first yeast
infection
— Gay S.
September 26, 2003
I heard wearing all cotton underwear can help prevent yeast infections. I
also wear a thin pad or pantyliner to help control moisture.
— Sarahlicious
September 26, 2003
You might still need a prescription medication like diflucan to clear up
the infection on the inside of your body. After I had my brachioplasty,
due to the high dosage of IV antibiotics they gave me, I developed my first
yeast infection. They gave me a prescription for diflucan. I took it and
it seemed to help. However, after a couple of weeks, the infection was
back and when I went to the OB/GYN, she explained that I had probably
cleared up the infection inside my body but not completely on the outside.
I then took monistat and the associated cream for a few days and it cleared
it up and I haven't had any problems since then.
— Patty H.
September 27, 2003
Yeast nfections are usually caused by an organism called candidiasis. it
is a naturally occuring organism on most everybody's skin. When you have
skin folds and warm moist areas it is very happy and grows and grows,
causing itching, redness, burning and discharge if it's vaginal.
If you start to get red in the skin folds be sure to never touch yourself
there and then touch your vaginal area. This is a sure fire way to get a
vaginal yeast infection very fast. Keeping the Area clean and dry is
essential although almost impossible with skin folds. There is an ointment
called mycolog (generic = nystatin with triamcinolone) that you can use.
It is a prescription medication though. As soon as you have the tiniest
redness or soreness, put the ointment on once or twice a day and it will
prevent the problem from getting worse.
One thing about these infections is that they seem like they are gone but
there is still some infection there. Always do the entire vaginal
treatment, even if symptoms are gone. if you have the mycolog use it for
several days after you think it is cleared up.
It's a yucky problem, but one that can be controlled. I know all this from
experience and I am a nurse. Good luck.
— catleth
September 29, 2003
I am 39 and have never had this before, either. UNTIL, the IV drip in the
hospital triggered one. My pcp prescribed two pills of Diflucan - I
crushed them into applesauce since I was so new out of surgery. Two pills
and it was gone. They are pretty pricey...with my insurance, the 2 pills
were $20 - pharmacist told me they are $24/ea without insurance. Ayways,
they worked so they are worth the money. My Dr. told me that every woman
has the triggers for a yeast infection inside her and different things
can/will trigger it. All of us are different.
— Donya P.
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