Yeast infections (woman issues)

[Sheila]

Does anyone know of a good treatment for yeast infections? I am on my second round of a seven day cream and am not noticing any improvement. I have heard oregano oil might help. I am wearing the correct undergarments and the area is kept clean.

[Belinda]

Yeast infections are very common for diabetics...especially when BS run high or antibiotics are taken. If you are taking an antibiotic I suggest eating 2-3 yogurts a day. As for medication..you may want to call your doctor and see if they can prescribe something...I think there is an oral med that is somewhat new..good luck

[Penny]

Before I started on insulin, I was having frequent yeast infections. Nothing seemed to help, except when I remembered to eat yogurt everyday, I did not seem to get them as often. When I talked to my doctor about it, he insisted on doing a "pelvic and pap", which I hadn't had for years. He said I wasn't having yeast infections, it was from the "sugar in my urine". I haven't had one since I started the insulin shots. As much as I hate them, I do get my "women's" exam, every year now.

[kgm0612]

Ask your doctor to call you in a prescription for Diflucan. It works wonders and will have you cleared up within two days!

Before being dx'd 3 years ago, I suffered from yeast infections every 2-3 months. My ob/gyn kept telling me it was certain items that I was using that was causing the infection..........ie: pads, tampons, soap, etc. This went on for over a year. One day I was talking to my sister-in-law, a nurse practitioner, and I mentioned to her what was going on. She told me that frequent yeast infections were a sign of diabetes in woman! Sure enough, a month later I was dx'd. Now that I have my BS within target range, I have NOT had any yeast infections in 3 years. Good luck!

Karen

[jen_slc]

Hi Sheila,

Unfortunately yeast infections are a problem for diabetic women. I went through a phase where I got them continuously, right after each other, for no good reason because my bg was in good control. The creams and diflucan pill never worked, I think I built up resistance to both because I used them so much.

If diflucan doesn't work out for you, try using boric acid, that's what my OB/GYN suggested for me. It's an "alternative medical therapy." You can buy a bottle of it in powder form over-the-counter at most pharmacies and then buy some empty gelatin capsules and basically make your own suppositories. You may have to ask for the boric acid because sometimes they hide it behind the counter - it's been used as a poison in food. That should tell you it's pretty potent, so definitely wear little plastic gloves when you make them. It sounds like a lot of work, but it's definitely worth it! Make up a bunch at a time and then just use one capsule like you do the Monistat and I am positive it'll clear up fast! :thumbsup: Some docs have recommended one capsule a night for two weeks, but in my experience, I only ever needed one capsule for one night and then it was totally gone.

http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/library/healthguide/en-us/cam/topic.asp?hwid=hn-2812003

[Jeannie]

Hi, I'm new here!

I had recurring yeast infections for years! And my Dr. told me to take an Acidophilus supplement each day. Since I've been doing this, I haven't had another one. It's what is in yogurt that helps with the yeast.:smile:

[Cinnabon]

Sheila,
creams are not too effective.
This is very common, as everyone here stated. UTI's and Yeast infections happen a lot to diabetic women. Both seem to have pretty much the same symptoms. Yeast infections generally cause vaginal itching or burning and an uncomfortable discharge. UTI's usually cause frequent trips to the bathroom and a burning feeling at the end of urination.
The most important thing is to control your Bsugars. If your levels are good, but still suffered this, this will run your readings up. Usually both should be treated w/ antibiotics. When I have a UTI I take Cipro right away for 3 days. I don't take chances and treat it fast. Azo, found in your local drug store, can treat the discomfort superficially, but not in depth. Keep us posted if you need more help...

[Tokyo Cate]

I also used to have chronic yeast infections when I was younger. They have ceased in the past ten years or so, which could be related to changes in my sex life or because I have better control of my blood sugar.

When I was struggling with yeast infections, my gynecologist recommended regular douching with the following elements:

One part hydrogen peroxide
Followed by three parts water
Followed by a solution with water mixed with a teaspoon of boric acid.

Each part was likely about 30 ml. It helped relieve the symptoms and control the flare ups.

[msfez]

Perhaps I'm showing my age but white vinegar douche will straighten you right out. Or mix up a somewhat mild solution to wipe off the area to keep down itching.

[sydneya]

If my sugars are in control, I usually don't have to worry about them. I do keep a tube of prescription stuff on hand in case I need it because a while back it seemed that I always fought them. Now I eat yogart at least once a day which helps.

[Cinnabon]

Perhaps I'm showing my age but white vinegar douche will straighten you right out. Or mix up a somewhat mild solution to wipe off the area to keep down itching.

This is a great home remedy and it does work, but I have found that it only soothes the burning and uncomfortable feelings, not really the infection that lies inside.

[msfez]

I'm sorry Cinnabon if I oversteped my place. I wasn't trying to cure Her...merely help relieve some of Her misery.

[Sheila]

Thank you for all of the replies. I have an appt. tomorrow with my GYN. I am writing these suggestions down to see what she says. I will update tomorrow!

[Cinnabon]

Sheila I wish you luck and keep us posted is you can.


msfez,
Im hope I didnt say anything out of place, just have been there so many times.

[Erin]

Sheila,

Sorry i'm coming in so late in this, not that I have too much to add. I also struggled with yeast infections (mostly when I was on the pill, pill & diabetes = yeast... at least in my case). I have two things to add

1) yeast infections that don't clear up might not be yeast infections, so you should get checked out by a doc (which you're doing)

2) cranberry juice helps. But then again cranberry juice has loads of carbs, so if you're not able to bolus for it it might not be a good idea. They have "light" cranberry juice cocktails that aren't too high in carbs, but i've noticed these don't pack quite the punch that straight C-juice does.

I hope this clears up for you shortly. good luck!

[Sheila]

Well, it turns out it isn't yeast it is bacterial. I have been fighting this kind of go round for months. One time it's yeast another time it's bacterial. So I will be using Metrogel and am to call her in a week. Also found out that my GYN is a type 1 diabetic. I have been with her for eight years and never knew that! We discussed many things. I even got a good referral for an endo who she uses.

[Cinnabon]

Sheila,
Im glad you were able to see the Gyn. :thumbsup:

Wow, must be nice to have a Gyn that Diabetic too. Share as much as you like, please.. lol I tried the Metrogel one time, it was pretty good.

[Erin]

Well, it turns out it isn't yeast it is bacterial. I have been fighting this kind of go round for months. One time it's yeast another time it's bacterial. So I will be using Metrogel and am to call her in a week. Also found out that my GYN is a type 1 diabetic. I have been with her for eight years and never knew that! We discussed many things. I even got a good referral for an endo who she uses.

Good job on a type 1 GYN, that's awesome.

A little trick I picked up along the way for identifying when something is a yeast infection. If it is definitely yeast it smells like beer. No lie. I don't like over-treating stuff, so I only buy the over the counter stuff if I distinctly smell like beer.

I hope now that you've identified the culprit you can get better really quickly!