What are some other problems that might have the same symptoms as a yeast infection?
It seems like I always get yeast infections and I’m starting to wonder if it’s not actually yeast. My doc usually says it’s yeast, but I’ve never gotten a second opinion. Are there any other conditions, illnesses that might cause the same symptoms to occur as a yeast infection? I’ve been tested for STDs, so it’s not that. I’m just really frustrated with this and want this problem to go away! It’s hurting my relationship because I can never be intimate with my bf.
I eat yogurt every day, and use non scented hypoallergenic soaps.
I do not wear tight clothes, and I always wear cotton panties.
Tagged with: Bf • Cotton Panties • Doc • Illnesses • Relationship • Second Opinion • Soaps • Stds • Tight Clothes • Yeast Infection • Yeast Infections
Filed under: symptoms of yeast infection
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I guess it depends on what specific symptoms you are referring to. Itch ,irritation, and a burning sensation can have multiple causes. Yeast is fairly easy to confirm by vaginal swab and culture as well as the type of discharge…. usually a curdled discharge is indicative of yeast but there may not be much of a discharge and would only be seen by a physician using a speculum on exam. As far as itch, irritation and burning, make sure of your personal habits are not adding to the problem or are the real cause being blamed on yeast.
1. Do not use perfumed agents on the skin or anywheres near the groin because what you may be experiencing is in actuality an allergic reaction to those agents.
2. Do not use Bounch or other fabric softeners on underware for the same reason.
3. If you have very hard water or a water softener, not all the soap may be removed in the rinse cycle of the wash. When the machine stops, turn it all the way over to rinse again and add a full cup of white (clear) vinegar to the water. It is an acid and will neutralize base soaps and allow them to be removed easily from clothing. Otherwise a single drop of urine or vaginal moisture release onto the fabric will re-activate the soaps and then migration to the soft tissue causing more itching and irritation.
4. Don’t wear tight clothing that would cause mechanical irritation from walking especially if you are overweight which will accentuate the mechanical irritation.
5. Use a good sterile personal lubricant again without fragrance or gental warming gels. Use this every time for sex to prevent mechanical irritation from the get go.KEEP it simple so that what you do does not cloud the waters and cause their own harm.
6. Never use mineral oil or vaseline as a lubricant. It is actually a petroleum distallate and for some people is just as irritating as using gasoline. (plus the fact is may dissolve latex)
7. Make sure you do not have an allergy to latex if hopefully you are using condoms.
8. Spermicidal jellies can also be a source for irritation If one type is causing a problem, ask for a different formula that hopefully is not as irritating.
9. Make sure your bf takes a shower before sex especially if he is not circumcised and no condom is used. Mechanical irritation to rough up a soft tissue surface followed a smear of foreign bacteria from under a foreskin or from poor hygiene on his part can cause you to suffer. It always amazes me how many men use a public restroom, pee and never wash their hands. If that is a standard of behavior, it follows that other health habits can be poor.
10. Take a shower not a bath but if you must take baths, limit them to once a day and less than 10 minutes. Long term soaking in the tub can remove the body’s own lubrication from vaginal tissue and expose the nerve endings in the tissue causing itch and burning.
11. Avoid bubble baths for the same reason. If you disturb the natural barrier of mucous and the upper epithelial lining of these tissues, when you urinate, the salty urine will draw fluid from the lower tissue layers causeing an immediate burning sensation that will last until what remains on the labia is diluted by your own moisture.
12. when wiping the area, use a non-sented toilet paper and pat… do not rub
13. After a shower,use a hair dryer and dry the pubic area before getting dressed. A lot of moisture will cling to the hair and activate soaps,dyes and fragrances before you even start your day.
14. Do not use scented tampons and change more frequently.
These are the mechanical and allergy preventing steps you can take to maintain good genital health and prevent irritation and burning that mimick yeast infections. Most also work for men to avoid jock itch and allergies. It is just more prevalent in women due to exposed mucosal membranes of the labia. Hope that helps
it is very possible that you just have chronic yeast infections, some people do. i don’t know if it really helps or not, but i heard that eating yogurt on a regular basis can help.
Dumb as it sounds, soap can cause a burning irritation as well. even one you’ve used for a while can all of the sudden irritate you ( or other feminine products).
Some people get them more than others…but it could be happening more often because of the clothing you wear. I know tight clothing and wearing underwear made from certain materials increases the likelihood of yeast infection. I think cotton is recommened because it can "breathe".
Yeah, it might be chronic yeast infections. My mom used to have it too. One way to cut down on the amount of yeast infections you have can be to change your diet so you arn’t eating as many sugars, mushrooms, vinegars, and lower your intake of alcohol (THIS IS KEY!), avoid wearing wet bathing suits or underwear that is not cotton, . If you have recently switched to another birth controll that lowers your pH hormonal levels that could be causing these frequent infections. Also, for some natural helpers:) try olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, or garlic!
I hope that this helps!!!
Some women do get chronic yeast infections, in which case, you should look up the candida diet, I believe it’s called. You’d eliminate all processed sugars, and a few other items. A very good friend of mine went on this for chronic yeast infections, and the only time she gets them now is if she varies off the diet. You should also consider acidophilus capsules/pills. It’s the stuff that you’re eating the yogurt for, in a more concentrated form– a lot of my "crunchy" friends use these all the time to cure infections (both by taking orally and inserting vaginally-though I haven’t a clue how to do that correctly dosage wise).
Another possibility, and I’m surprised your doctor didn’t test for this, is bacterial vaginosis. It’s harmless (unless you’re pregnant, and even then, the risks are small), but yeast infection medications won’t touch it (at least not Monistat).
Personally, I’m a huge believer in personal responsibility… If you believe your doctor is wrong, it’s up to you to find another doctor who will take a more comprehensive (and fresh) look at what is going on and suggest alternatives. Sometimes, a new pair of eyes and ears will see something your other doctor isn’t… and sometimes, the first doctor was totally right. Either way, you’d get a confirmed diagnosis and be able to treat it better. Good luck, yeast infections are nasty little buggers.