Stopping BC causes yeast infection???

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2004
Stopping BC causes yeast infection???
1
Tue, 06-15-2004 - 1:15pm
I stopped the birth control patch exactly a month ago due to the whole blood clots in the lungs thing (i was on it only 5 weeks). I've never had a yeast infection, but I think I'm getting one... odorless cottage cheesy discharge and a LITTLE itching... not bad at all. Could this be due to all the hormonal changes this month and the stress of the blood clot crisis? Do I just get some Monistat and be done with it? I know I should go to the gyno but I've seen more than my fair share of doctors lately and the thought of going there doesn't excite me right now.

I need a hug... and a vacation.

Checkeredbutt

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 8:32am
::hug:: There's your hug! Yes, because of all the hormonal changes it's possible that things are a little out of whack in the vaginal pH department, which can allow yeast to go nuts.

Typical symptoms of a yeast infection are indeed a clumpy white discharge that may or may not be copious (lots of it), a yeasty odor (if it's foul, that can indicate bacteria, which has no OTC treatment), and itching or burning. If you can deal with it without treating it, it may go away on its own, but if it's getting worse and you're having trouble being out in public (not literally, but if the itching is making you crazy) and can't bear to go to the doctor ;) then you might pick up an OTC treatment.

My understanding is that it still takes 7 days to get rid of yeast infection whether you do a 1 day, 3 day, or 7 day treatment, and a longer-duration treatment may be less harsh than a faster treatment, but it is kind of a pain in the neck to do the cream day after day after day (at bedtime). Though it's not common, if it happened to be a drug-resistant strain of yeast, the OTC treatments may not take care of it and then you'd need to see a doc for a prescription treatment.

And not that you're considering it probably, but if you are tempted to have sex while you're treating the infection, it's probably not the greatest idea. It can screw up the pH further, get rid of any residual cream that might still be working on yeast, and the creams are oil-based and will deteriorate latex condoms.

Good luck, I hope you're feeling better soon!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control