Let's talk about YEAST infections.

I'm genetically prone to yeast infections and have a very sensitive vulva, though I've never actually gotten one. In my experience, friends and family members have gotten yeastie beasties when the good bacteria in their vagina were killed or went haywire.

Oh yeah. I've been there. You start feeling better, only to feel immediately worse when you get another kind of infection...

Yeah, I totally understand! When I had an emergency c-section for my two year old they had to put me on IV antibiotics because of a really bad infection. The yeast infection I contracted afterwards was hell!

Yeah, I've never heard of BC pills causing yeast infections, although I know antibiotics are notorious for destroying the good bacteria in the vagina.

I think hearing that a low level yeast infection can lead to UTI is very useful! Wow. Yeah the cranberries aren't great.

Does anyone think that slightly unclean toys or partners can lead to yeast infections? I remember from sex ed that the vagina is designed to essentially be self- cleaning and accomodate things like a man's cock which way back in history wasn't always the cleanest thing around either! (I'm not talking about medically unclean- just sweaty/dirty unclean...)

Cranberries- You have to intake at a certain level for a minimum of three weeks to see any positive effects. They have supplements available.

In my experience (not just myself, but other partners), if toys aren't clean, then you begin to introduce bacteria that has been sitting around since your last use. Bullets were the main offenders for me and UTIs. As for vaginal use toys - especially if say you already had a yeast infection, it clears up, but then you use a toy that you haven't cleaned since, and you reintroduce the bacteria. Personally I always give my toys a clean after I use them - store them in separators (one of those slipper hangs for closets) - and when I go to use them again, I give them a quick wash again (you know, because sometimes dust settles or whatever). I say - keep it clean! Then you can be as kinky as you like

I'm not really sure on this one but, I would say that slightly unclean toys or partners might lead to a bacterial infection rather than a yeast infection. Totally different infection. With a vag being all dark, moist and warm...perfect conditions for bacteria to thrive. Sometimes the only symptoms are a really strong fishy smell....

That's interesting. I never knew that menopause might be an issue for yeast infections. Thanks for sharing!

This is turning out to be a very interesting thread.

I've had a UTI lead to a yeast infection, too, so I think they are related closely enough that one can trigger the other. It's all in a similar area, anyhow, even though one is bacteria and one is fungus.

A fungus can thrive in a dark, moist environment, just like bacteria. I had trouble with yeast infections because I'd get off before falling asleep and wouldn't wash up afterward (i.e. zonk off while still happily moist). I recommend staying dry at all times, which should help ward off both yeasts colonies and bacteria from overpopulating. Yogurt with active cultures is supposedly good for warding off yeast infections because it keeps healthy cultures around and doesn't let candida flare up out of control. For UTIs, cranberries, blueberries, and other high acidity fruits can be helpful as a preventative. You can change the pH of the urine in your bladder enough that it's harder for bacteria to grow/multiply before you pee it all out. Also, water. That's always good stuff.

I am not in biology or health but I did a research paper on the effects cranberries have on UTI's and the data are very inconclusive actually bcs there are many studies that give many different forms of cranberries (the fruit, a supplement or juice) in varying quantities.

In general what we find is that there is an enzyme in the cranberry juice that hinders the attachment of the bacteria (E.Coli) to the urethral opening. So drinking cranberry juice can be done as a preventive measure but it won't heal the UTI it just helps to stop the bacteria from sticking in there as much

In terms of yeast infections I had quite a few more than 4 years ago. It was hell. The reason why the pill causes this is bcs it creates a ph imbalance and promotes overgrowth. Also someone can have recurring infections bcs the bacteria can stay near the glans on the penis for a long time, like weeks even of the partner cleans himself adequately. So using a condom is a good idea.

As for UTI's I used to have one every month for a year it was horrible. The worst thing is that when it comes to cleanliness of my privates I couldn't be anymore of a neat freak. Enough so that the rule is no sex unless I just showered(and my partners hands needed to be washed and his privates needed to be as clean as mine)! So it wasn't bcs I was not clean. UTI's are hell bcs you have to wait at the clinic to get a freakin' prescription but when you have a yeast infection you can just get vagisil or something.