Babylon_Angel
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Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 23
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 Posted: 05/01/07 - 15:44 Post subject: |
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Sorry to hear you've been having so much trouble with this.
I hope I can help. Vaginitis can be caused by yeast infections, as you said, but if it quickly comes back or anti fungals don't work it may be that there is a bacterial vaginitis there aswell as the yeast, or as a result of the yeast being removed from the vaginal flora. i would suggest a two pronged attack, treat the yeast and bacterial. The bacterial vaginitis will need antibiotics like over the counter 0.75% metronidazole vaginal gel or oral metronidazole treatment. (metronidazole is an antibiotic) other products include RePhresh, boric acid, or Lactobacillus Acidophilus capsules. If you go to the doctor they will be able to prescribe antibiotics as well.
It may be that you are just prone to imbalances in your vaginal flora, causing vaginitis. You suggest that sexual intercourse in a cause.
To reduce the recurrence once it is treated, your husband must have clean hands and genitals too, (but no perfumed soaps). Recent research is exploring the link between sexual partner treatment and eradication of recurrent cases of bacterial vaginitis. your partner may upset your balances without registering as having a problem himself.
If your vagina's pH is too acidic, it makes it easier for bacterial/yeast to get a foot hold. There are over the counter gels for normalizing vaginal pH.
It may be well to boost your friendly bacterial, that way no over growth of yeast or bacteria will occur. A healthy vagina normally contains many microorganisms, one of the common ones being Lactobacillus acidophilus. Lactobacillus appears to help prevent other vaginal microorganisms from multiplying to a level where they cause symptoms. you can get capsules containing this bacteria and it should stop the re-accurances. (if one brand doesn't work, worth trying other brands, as occasionally the manufacturer cares not if the bacteria are dead-buying straight from a pharmaceutical company should avoid duff products)
Atrophic Vaginitis is another possibility worth mentioning, it's to do with low oestrogen, and you mentioned irregular periods, which also results from oestrogen changes.
quote
Estrogen, which is produced by the ovaries, plays a vital role in keeping vaginal tissues lubricated and healthy. When levels of estrogen are low, vaginal tissue becomes atrophic — thin, dry and shrunken. The vagina may become more prone to inflammation in an atrophic state. Common conditions with low estrogen levels that cause vaginal atrophy include:
* Menopause, when normal, age-related body changes cause the ovaries to decrease their production of estrogen
* Breastfeeding
* Surgical removal of the ovaries before the age of natural menopause, which can be done at the same time as a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
* Treatment with medications used to decrease estrogen levels in women who have conditions such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis
* Premature menopause, which occurs before age 40, a younger age than is considered normal for the average woman.
Common signs of vaginal atrophy include:
* Vaginal dryness
* Vaginal itch or a burning sensation
* Painful sexual intercourse
* Light bleeding after intercourse
If the recurrent problem in your case is due to this type of vaginitis, then oestrogen therapy will help, as will increasing blood flow to the vagina, by increasing sexual stimulation.
I hope that might give you some avenues to try... there's alot of info on the internet. Don't be afraid to tell your doctor that the treatment they offered wasn't completely effective. Also it's a good idea to write down in detail exactly what the symptoms are and when they happen. It will help a diagnosis, and may reveal a pattern or allow you to compare symptoms day by day, in relation to certain activities. would be really useful when searching the internet then.
Wishing you better soon. |
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