Hi:
First I will give a little background info.
I am a 35 year old female, with no health problems etc. I am in a monogamous relationship of almost a year. My boyfriend is unable to have children. Many years ago he had one testicle removed, and a vasectomy as well, therefore we do not use any birth control. We have a quite conservative sex life, 2-3 times per week, no sex toys etc. Neither of us has any STDs (both tested). Hygiene is not an issue either, since both of us shower at least once per day, and always wash hands etc prior to contact with my vagina. I always wear all cotton underwear, and use unscented bath products, including soap etc.

Now here is my problem, I seem to have a constantly irritated vagina. My symptoms are irritation, with only slight to moderate thin, white discharge. Sexual intercourse is rather uncomfortable. I do not have any itching. I would say, if I had to describe the irritation, it is a bit like my vagina feels sunburned.

When it first happened about 6 months ago, I went to the gynecologist. She diagnosed a yeast infection, and sent me Diflucan. It seemed to work fine, but about a month later returned. Once again she prescribed Diflucan, once again, it worked for a short time. In the past 8 months I have had this occur probabaly 4 or 5 times. The relief after Diflucan lasts between 2-4 weeks. Most recenly I went back to the gynecologist, she decided it was better to do a wet culture. She diagnosed a bacterial infection. She sent me 7 days of Flagyl, as well as a Diflucan to take on day one and day 7 of the antibiotic treatment.

I completed the treatment, but it has not really given me any relief.

I imagine I am going to have to go back to the gynecologist, but does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem could be? It is quite awful, and makes it virtually impossible to have a normal sex life. I am always either uncomfortable due to the irritation, unable to have sex because I am on treatment (doc says no sex for a week each time she sends me anything), and even when the symptoms are not present (after previous treatments), I am so worried that it will return that I find myself running to the shower immediately after sex, as well as being worried about it during intercourse.

Any ideas? Please help, I am getting quite desperate.

Frequent infections like that can have outside causes. Also if your experiencing dryness in that area it can increase sensitivity as well. Make sure that if you do any baking your wash really good after to avoid cross contamination. Another thing you coud try is some of the lubricants that are available and see if that helps also. You should experience less tugging. Is it possible your gyno is missing something?

Hi:
Thanks so much for your reply.
We have tried several lubricants. All for sensitive skin, with natural ingredients.
It seems my gyno is stumped. She even tested me for high blood sugar just to be safe, but that came back fine.
This problem is really just awful :(

Hi:
Thanks so much for your reply.
We have tried several lubricants. All for sensitive skin, with natural ingredients.
It seems my gyno is stumped. She even tested me for high blood sugar just to be safe, but that came back fine.
This problem is really just awful :(

There are other possibilities. Is it possible there has been a new soap or body spray introduced into your relationship that may have changed things? There have been lots of commercials for products like "axe" and if its getting into sensetive areas it could be causing alergic reactions. Has your partner changed soaps or anything else?

There are other possibilities. Is it possible there has been a new soap or body spray introduced into your relationship that may have changed things? There have been lots of commercials for products like "axe" and if its getting into sensetive areas it could be causing alergic reactions. Has your partner changed soaps or anything else?

Hi:
Thanks so much for your reply. No new soaps etc... I have even tried changing laundry detergent. I can't possibly think what else it could be :eek:

Since you state that this is a bacterial infection it is possible that your significant other is passing it on to you. With these types of infections we like to treat both partners.

Hi J:
I suppose that is possible. I will definitely ask my doc about that. Is that something my doctor would send him medication for, or does my boyfriend need to go to his own doctor?

Maybe I should also mention that I started Flagyl on a Tuesday (6/15), had intercourse on Wednesday (6/16), finished the Flagyl on 6/21, then did not have intercourse again until this past Wednesday (6/23). Still my symptoms did not improve.

Thanks so much for your help!

Your doctor can prescribe him the medication as well. We do that all the time.

Bacterial infections need to be completely killed or they will return and eventually become resistant to antibiotics.

You need to refrain from sex until the course of antibiotics is finished and you both have a clean bill of health or you will continue to pass it back and forth.

Oh, yeah, fyi... Men typically don't get symptoms so this is frequently overlooked.

Hi J:
Thank you so much. I will definitely ask her about that possibility.
Thanks again!