Yeast infection during period, cup smells awful...help!

[hollybear9420]

So I'm almost 100% certain I have my first ever yeast infection. I started my period on the 4th but noticed itchiness a day or two before that. (No other symptoms.) On the night of the 3rd, I was inserting my cup early since I never know exactly when my period's going to show up on the day it's scheduled for. I had to take it out and reinsert for

Comments

[kuradi8]

A yeastie beastie is not such a terrible thing -- just unpleasant. Try off-the-shelf remedies (Monistat, etc) and home remedies (Google, there are many) before hitting the panic button and spending the money to see a doctor. There are many things that can make yeast bloom including some soaps that might be on your cup and hands, or the foods that you crave before/during your period. Google anti-candida diet. If home remedies don't work, it persists or gets worse, then a trip to your Dr would be a good idea.

As for your cup, give it a good wash. Rub and scrub it well, inside and out. Silicone doesn't absorb so it's all on the surface. Vinegar is one of the home remedies for your vagina so it could also be effective for your cup. And then setting it in an airy and sunny spot such as a window sill.

[por_que_no]

The "old cheese" and "death" is not a smell you associate with yeasties in my experience. More like "stale bread" or "frat house basement on a Sunday morning" (old beer). "Death" makes me think that you might have bacterial vaginosis. I think I encountered this once and it went away on its own (my pH was knocked out of balance due to a bath gel I was using). Both do give you the itchies but they smell very different.

[savannahjan]

If it is a yeast infection, peel a clove of garlic and place it in the vagina. Works almost immediately to give relief and garlic is a natural enemy to yeast. It won't get stuck up there, and typically comes out on its own when you pee in the morning. I haven't used medication for yeast infections for YEARS.

[por_que_no]

Garlic works, or if you don't want to risk smelling like salad dressing, try lemon juice soaked in a tampon and worn for several hours. Use a plastic applicator tampon, dip it in the lemon juice with the applicator still on, then insert.

This trick will fix your pH no matter what the problem is (yeast or BV). Neither yeast nor BV can get really established inside you if your pH is good.

[jourdanicus]

I get frequent yeast infections and I use apple cider vinegar to clean my cup, because it's somewhat successful in combating yeasties. I soak my cup in a glass of the stuff overnight, rinse really well with cold water, and then leave it in a sunny window on a clean paper towel for a few hours. I know it sounds weird but setting it out in the sun really gets rid of the smell. It could just be that airing it out helps but I've heard other anecdotes of sunshine helping as well.

Don't forget to wash the storage bag to your cup as well, at least every so often. That can help keep things fresh n such :)

[hollybear9420]

Thank you to everyone who replied, you're all very helpful! :) I figured out that the cheese smell was actually the DivaWash orange scent that mixed with the awful trash smell I had. So it turns out it wasn't a yeast infection, but a bacterial infection. I'll definitely keep your advice in mind should I ever get a yeast infection!

As for the lingering smell in my cup, I tried vinegar but it only made my cup smell like trash and vinegar.

Second, I tried hydrogen peroxide for a few hours, and my cup looks brand new. It still has a slightly off scent, but it's not nearly as strong.

After that I tried soaking it in hot soapy water and that didn't do too much.

Not sure what else I can try, but I sure am glad all those old stains in my cup are gone!

Thank you again to everyone, I really appreciate your help.

[noteasy2begreen]

Have you tried boiling your cup? That works better for me than soaking it in alcohol or soap or hydrogen peroxide. Ten minutes in boiling water will also kill off most microbes that are left. If the smell persists after boiling (I don't think this has ever been the case for me!), leave it in direct sunlight for a couple hours.

[hollybear9420]

I didn't try boiling it until today. (I've been really lazy lately.) The smell is still slightly there, but I do feel better about the cleanliness of my cup. Thank you :)

Also - a correction to my last comment. I went to the doctor and was prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection. A few days later, the office called and told me it was a yeast infection. So they prescribed a 3 day suppository. I finished it a couple days ago, but still suspect the infection is there. Something just seems off. So I'm definitely going to try the garlic trick this weekend. Thanks again to everyone! :)

[gepunktetrock]

Did you take and/or finish taking the antibiotics? If you started them, it's important to finish them so you don't develop resistance to antibiotics.

On the other hand, antibiotics can cause yeast infections as it kills the good bacteria that helps counteract the yeast, so usually doctors will recommend that you eat yogurt daily while on them.

So, if you still feel like you may have the yeast infection or symptoms try eating yogurt and/or taking a supplement like AZOYEAST. If you still feel symptoms after a week, you may need to visit the doctor again.

Garlic might burn a little as a warning. You can try PLAIN yogurt instead of the garlic, which may feel a little better. I reiterate if you are brave enough to try putting yogurt in your vagina, go with plain yogurt nothing with sugar or fruit in it.

Good luck! Hope you feel better soon.