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.