I was off the pill for a year. I went back on it in September. I changed sex partners in October. Since then I've had recurring yeast infections. Some were explainable (first time with new partner, antibiotics) and some were not. I also had a bacterial infection which was treated. I used to on average get 2-3 yeast infections per year and bacterial every two years or so. I also use sex toys, I'm pretty diligent with cleaning them but perhaps I missed something and it's causing this? O in short in the span of six months I've had four yeast infections and one bacterial. This seems unusual to me and I'm looking for possible explanations.

It could be that your lover is a carrier and not expressing any symptoms. Have him checked out and treated for thrush. That could be a major component. I would give all your toys a good boil too just ot be on the safe side.

This happened to me, I found out that I am sugar sensitive. Once I cut the sugar out as much as possible. Try only natural sugar like fruits, use a little stevia instead of other sweeteners, etc. This really helps me a lot. If I do have sugar- occasional birthday cake? I use plain yogurt for a week- insert it vaginally, as well as eat it if you can tolerate it. This helps me, be able to have an occasional treat. It's not easy, but very worth it- not mention- I lost all my belly fat, skin looks great and at 43, everyone thinks I'm 30. So, lots of benefits to reap as well.

Of course, have your partner checked too. Even if it is caused by the sugar, and you passed it to him- you need to break the cycle.

Good luck.

I wouldn't recommend taking yogurt vaginally.

How come you don't recommend the vaginal yogurt? It has to be plain. I can purchase the same ingredients from my gyno for $50 that come in a capsule that has to dissolve... My doctor knew I couldn't afford that every month and recommended the yogurt (albeit secretly, as she's suppose to sell that !)I've never had a problem, but if you have a serious dairy allergy? Just curious to why you wouldn't recommend? Thanks...

The body has its normal flora, the bacteria that normally inhabit its skin, muscus membranes, and intestines, and there is usually a balance in there. The body will come out of balance from time to time, but it will bounce back. Sometimes it might takes years, especially if you have a harsh antibiotic that kills off a large majority of your gut bacteria, to rebuild and maintain the colonies. The thing is that there is specific bacterial strains that inhabit certain areas and if you get different strains in there it could cause major problems.

For example you have E.Coli in your guts right now. It is a helpful bacteria that aids in digestion. There is a strain of this bacteria, O157:H7, that can be deadly if ingested. This is the strain that comes from cows. They poop a lot and they don't care if they poop on themselves so they're covered with this strain. When the meat is dressed it is almost impossible not to get this strain on the meat. Muscle is too dense for it to penetrate, which is why I can enhjoy my Blue Rare steaks, but there is a layer of it on the meat which is why ground is such a problem. The short of it is, having a different strain of a normal bacteria infect a part of your body can be potentially deadly.

As well you're introducing a food source into your vagina canal that a lot of bugs, including yeast, can use. It might make things worse.

Your doctor has much more experience than me. I just have a minor in biology, specifically cellular, micro, and molecular biology, and have an idea of bacterial relations. Take the information as you will and make an informed decision on your own. This might require more research on your part. Look up the benefits but also the draw backs. Look at both sides and use your critical thinking skills to make a decision for yourself.

The body has its normal flora, the bacteria that normally inhabit its skin, muscus membranes, and intestines, and there is usually a balance in there. The body will come out of balance from time to time, but it will bounce back. Sometimes it might takes years, especially if you have a harsh antibiotic that kills off a large majority of your gut bacteria, to rebuild and maintain the colonies. The thing is that there is specific bacterial strains that inhabit certain areas and if you get different strains in there it could cause major problems.

For example you have E.Coli in your guts right now. It is a helpful bacteria that aids in digestion. There is a strain of this bacteria, O157:H7, that can be deadly if ingested. This is the strain that comes from cows. They poop a lot and they don't care if they poop on themselves so they're covered with this strain. When the meat is dressed it is almost impossible not to get this strain on the meat. Muscle is too dense for it to penetrate, which is why I can enhjoy my Blue Rare steaks, but there is a layer of it on the meat which is why ground is such a problem. The short of it is, having a different strain of a normal bacteria infect a part of your body can be potentially deadly.

As well you're introducing a food source into your vagina canal that a lot of bugs, including yeast, can use. It might make things worse.

Your doctor has much more experience than me. I just have a minor in biology, specifically cellular, micro, and molecular biology, and have an idea of bacterial relations. Take the information as you will and make an informed decision on your own. This might require more research on your part. Look up the benefits but also the draw backs. Look at both sides and use your critical thinking skills to make a decision for yourself.

Good Answer! I'm pre-med myself, but what I learned most is science isn't all that scientific at times :). The general public can be terribly misinformed or strangely totally more accurate than text books! (I never discount anything that someone may be able to teach---well, sometimes straining hard to find the truth.) And you have the education and do have a lot of great info to share :).

The live cultures in yogurt actually do help the good flora in the vagina grow and inhibit the yeast growth. Can yogurt introduce bacteria too? Yes, I'm sure that is a risk, although the natural of yogurt (without fruit, etc) shouldn't allow too much bacteria to grow- that would be a bad case of yogurt- but possible. We all know our food sources are not what they should be. I personally can not eat yogurt, or any dairy products. I'm an almond milk girl. So, when the doctor told me where to put it? I freaked! But after several years of ever increasing medications- both oral and vaginal creams- I was only making the yeast I carried more resilient- (I was on 3 day suppositories that I would take for 9 days- that's triple the dose and take prescribed oral medications- (most woman take 1-3 pills to do the trick)- I took 30- one a day for a month. I would get relief for maybe a month and it would start all over again...

Keep in mind, I also had to stop eating sugar. Much like my patients with MRSA- sugar was feeding the bad, and taking over the good. I only use the yogurt when the flora is out of balance before it gets out of control. I never use yogurt when I don't need it.

But thanks for clearing up your answer. (I was a little late, the notice was in my spam folder). :)

* when I say bacteria... I do mean harmful bacteria. Had to rewrite this several times as it kept logging me out, so my thoughts were more complete than the writing ended up being :). Sorry about any other confusions...