Is there anything else you can try to counteract these chronic yeast infections?

Question

Hi, I have been in a stable relationship with my partner for 3 months now and we are no longer protecting ourselves. I have a history of yeast infections when I start having sex with a new partner, but often they resolve themselves or I take a pill from the pharmacy to resolve the situation. However, since this new relationship, I have been getting yeast infections chronically. I still take the tablets orally and have even consulted my family doctor as I have had 6 in the last 3 months. I even asked my partner to do a fluconazole cream treatment, but they still came back. I was wondering if there was anything more I could do. My family doctor has prescribed a year's worth of medication that I can take every time I have one, but it doesn't seem to solve the problem. I wash before and after each intercourse in the shower with soap and water and urinate right after. I have never used vagisile or any products to "wash" my vagina. I never use lubricant and I sleep without underwear, I also make sure to wear cotton underwear. However, my partner always ejaculates inside my vagina, so maybe that makes a difference? My pharmacist said no. I also wanted to know about sex. I went back on a dose of fluconazole today for my most recent infection and my partner started a course of miconazole cream yesterday. I was wondering when it would be possible for us to start having sex again? Also, will using condon help the situation or is it useless? Thank you. Hello, I don't know if you received the beginning of my context, because I can't find it anymore. I have now had 6 yeast infections in 3 months. I have a new stable partner with whom I started having unprotected sex 3 months ago. That's when I started the infections. I am someone with very sensitive vaginal flora so a yeast infection was not surprising for me. However, I never had that many, either chronically. My boyfriend even did a course of miconazole cream for 7 days while I was on oral fluconazole and I started getting infections again. My family doctor didn't really give me any remedies, but instead prescribed me fluconazole repeatedly, so I can take it when I get them again without having to come to her every time. However, that doesn't solve my problem. I don't use any kind of soap like vagisil, ever, and I wash with regular soap after every sexual encounter. I never wash the inside of the vagina, just the outside, after I urinate (every time I have sex too). I don't know what else to do. I try to limit my time in underwear so I don't get too wet and when I do wear underwear, I only wear cotton ones. I wonder if this could be due to my partner ejaculating inside my vagina, maybe a pH imbalance issue due to the pH of his semen. I don't know. Should we stop this and switch to condoms? We don't use them right now, but I've been buying them. They are Skyn brand and I took the originals. I can't take brands with latex because I am allergic. Thanks!

Naji-tom Samaha · Accepted Answer

Hello ma'am, does your partner use a condom? If so, which one? Is this a recurrence after sex? Thank you for the information, indeed these passages were missing above. vaginitis is usually the result of an imbalance in flora, and this can be contributed to, as you mention, by your partner's semen which may have a much different pH. Also, you mention using soap only on the outside, I would be inclined to suggest trying not to use any soap on the vulva either, as well as trying intercourse during which your partner does not ejaculate into the vagina to see what happens next. If you ever decide to use a condom, make sure it is free of flavors, scents and spermicides. Sincerely, Tom Samaha, pharmacist