Question about yeast infection and BCPs

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Question about yeast infection and BCPs
3
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 1:21pm
I think I may have a mild yeast infection. Does anybody know if the over the counter drugs (like Monistat) would have any effect on the efficacy of the pill?

Thanks for your input :)

Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 1:47pm
Over-the-counter medications as a general rule do not change the effectiveness of the pill (herbs and diet pills and such can be exceptions). I might discourage you, though, from assuming that you have a yeast infection without actually having it diagnosed--I know the OTC creams are easy, but there are a variety of other infections that have the same symptoms as a yeast infection that don't have an OTC treatment. If it is just a mild yeast infection, it may go away on its own. If it gets worse or is just plain annoying, I'd recommend getting it checked out by a doctor (preferably, diagnosis is with a swab, not a visual--visual exams don't "see" bacteria). Overuse of antifungal creams can cause problems down the road, so you're best off making sure that you're treating the right problem with the right solution!

Good luck,

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2004
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 2:04pm
Thanks, Judie. I was thinking the same thing, about just seeing if it goes away by itself. I don't really have any discomfort - just a little itching every now and then. I just noticed a thicker discharge the last time I went to the bathroom and thought that was a little strange. I've had a full-blown yeast infection before so I DEFINITELY know what that feels like . . .and this is not nearly as uncomfortable at all.

I do tend to have a slightly heavier discharge on the pill I'm currently on (OTC Lo). Do you think this could also be what I'm seeing?

Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 8:25am
It could be--some women (I've not had this experience myself) have more discharge with certain pills, sometimes more discharge than when they're not on the pill. The combination of both hormones in the pill does affect your vaginal discharge--the progestin component, which is responsible for suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucous, and restricting the growth of the endometrium (the lining of your uterus) also reduces vaginal lubrication. The estrogen component of the pill counters some of the action of the progestin by "feeding" the endometrium and lubricating the vagina. If the progestin is less strong, you may have more discharge. If the progestin is too strong, you may have none at all (painful, let me tell you...). There is a wide variety of "normal" vaginal discharge, it can be white, clear, opaque, a little yellowish, wet, milky, creamy, lotiony, sticky.....

If your discharge doesn't have that characteristic clumpiness or a yeasty (think bread dough) odor, and if it isn't unusually colored (yellow or green) with a foul or fishy odor (bacterial or other types of infections), usually that's okay.

Good luck!

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