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AIBU?

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Original poster

Female Problems (stupid tampon question) !!

43 replies

KiwiFruitCake · 12/04/2022 15:21

Name changed (for obvious reasons!

This will sound like an obvious question but I really don’t know what to doSad

Ive had a few vaginal and/or urine infections. Ive not got a partner and am not sexually active so I’m not sure how I’m getting them- I keep clean down there (but I don’t clean with harsh chemicals etc as I know that causes a pH imbalance) and I change my underwear everyday and night. I’ve had loads of infections (skin, ears, teeth, vaginal) over the last year and have been on various types and doses of antibiotics. I’ve probably had 12 ish desperate antibiotic prescriptions in the last 12 months so I’m not sure if that’s affected anything

Ive got another bad vaginal infection, it’s like a yellow/green discharge and a constant burning itching feeling. It’s impossible to just ignore and it’s unbearable, but the pharmacy can’t give me anything stronger than what I’ve used already and I can’t get through to my GP. I work and study and if I’m at work or in a class, I can’t sit and ring repeatedly for hours trying to get through. No email or online service unfortunately.

I’m off later in the week so will try and get through then, but I need to manage until then. The discharge is really bad, and I’ve been using a tampon to control it. So that’s my question, is it ok to do that? I’m not on my period and I remember hearing about toxic shock syndrome and how tampons can cause it, but is that only a tiny tiny risk or is it something that a dry tampon could cause? I don’t want to make myself unwell especially TSS but using tampons is the only way I’ve been able to manage whenever I get an infection

Thanks in advice for any advice Star

OP posts:
Akire · 12/04/2022 15:24

Ouch sounds nasty, you do need to be seen. Can you try 111 after class they should be able find your an appointment or get you to out of hours locally. They can magic times slots with your own Gp even when the surgery say they don’t have any.

Stop using tampons land just pad u til you know What it is. Fingers crossed for you.

dementedpixie · 12/04/2022 15:27

No you shouldn't be using a tampon when you don't have a period. Use panty liner or a sanitary towel instead (unfragranced). Antibiotics can cause thrush. Have you tried oral thrush medications or vaginal pessaries?

RestingPandaFace · 12/04/2022 15:27

Not a medical professional but I don’t think a tampon is a good idea. The gunk needs to be out not being kept in. A pad would be better.

Maybe try to stop wearing underwear at night once this has cleared up so it can all ‘breathe’ a bit 😀 and I think you can get vagisil wipes and wash, might be worth a try - bacteria’s got to be getting in there from somewhere!

dementedpixie · 12/04/2022 15:29

It sounds fungal rather than bacterial especially if OP has been using antibiotics a lot.

fourandnomore · 12/04/2022 15:34

Antibiotics repeatedly are probably the cause of a change in the balance of microbes, you need to be seen but don’t use a tampon or more medication unless you’ve discussed with a doctor. Pad or maternity towel would be ok.

SpacePotato · 12/04/2022 15:35

Tampons are designed to soak up blood, please stop using them for this reason you are likely to be making it worse.

If you keep getting so many infections you need to the GP to investigate what is going on with your immune system.
The fact you've had 12 lots of antibiotics in 12 months will have also had an impact.

Go to gp and don't let them fob you off. It isn't normal to get so many infections.

SpacePotato · 12/04/2022 15:39

You could also try taking a decent probiotic to help re stock the gut bacteria that all the antibiotics will have destroyed.

Gizacluethen · 12/04/2022 15:44

Oh I definitely wouldn't keep the discharge inside you. Use a pad I think.

The antibiotics could have screwed your healthy bacteria up, I think there's a thing for bacterial vaginosis that would help you, like a 7 day course of what feels like lube squirted up there.

I think I'd stop using tampons for periods aswell while you get this under control

skybluee · 12/04/2022 15:54

No, you definitely shouldn't use a tampon to soak up discharge, use a sanitary towel instead.

Regarding the UTIs, try changing to recycled unscented two ply toilet roll like basics (Co Op honest value). When youdo a #2 place a thin layer of toilet roll in the toilet so there's no splash upwards. Toilet water can cause problems (obviously try this for a month and if it makes no difference stop doing it to save the toilet roll). Keep the toilet very clean.

Don't use shower gel or bubble bath or soap to clean that region. Use plain water.

I had success using bottled Evian water to clean that area, not shower water, surprisingly. It was amazing what a difference it made.

Don't wear underwear at night. You need time to let things breathe.

With all of the other infections it sounds like something else may be going on so see your GP about that.

You could try going to a sexual health clinic. The one at my hospital sees people about discharge.

You could try using coconut oil.

Try changing the laundry powder you use. Use non-bio and unscented. Make sure you dry your undies quickly. Don't let them sit in the machine or stay damp overnight for example. Get them out an on a radiator or in the fresh air.

You could try this: clean the bath very thoroughly and rinse it extremely thoroughly. Have a bath with luke warm water and sea salt. Quite a lot of sea salt. Don't wear undies and allow air to the area.

Good luck. I do think you need to see a doctor ASAP though. The hints above are more for long term prevention than active treatment.

lunar1 · 12/04/2022 15:56

Are you absolutely sure it's another infection? Have you tried taking canesten once in case it's severe thrush?

I wouldn't use a tampon, whatever is in there needs to come out. You will also make the area too dry and irritated, possibly increasing the likelihood of repeat infections.

You need to be seen, and swabbed before any more antibiotics-then if needed the can give specific ones.

I'd also ditch the underwear at night.

FloraPostePosts · 12/04/2022 15:59

Does your university have a health centre, if you’re enrolled as a student? Otherwise I’d be going to a GUM clinic, I think - you need something more specialised than a GP if they’re not sorting things out. And definitely dose yourself for thrush too - all those antibiotics will have destroyed your natural defences.

FreedomforWA · 12/04/2022 16:01

I wouldn't be using a tampon for this, a pad would be better. However, a tampon dipped in live natural yoghurt and inserted for 10-15 mins will likely help the itching/burning symptom. Can you get an online GP consult?

Original poster
KiwiFruitCake · 12/04/2022 19:39

I hadn’t actually thought of not wearing underwear at night but that’s a really good idea thank you!

I found pads much better but they were chaffing my skin so that’s why I had switched to tampons. I’ll try and wear pads as much as I can though!

I’ve started having blood spotting with the discharge, it’s like spots of brownish reddish gunk so I presume it’s bleeding. That wasn’t when I took out the tampon so I’m not sure why it was bleeding but whatever it is, it’s so uncomfortable! The burning and itching is almost unbearable. I think it could be a yeast infection too tbh because when I googled it the symptoms matched. I previously was prescribed an oral antifungal for a similar infection, obviously I don’t have that but I’ve got canneston in the house in the meantime until I can see a doctor so that will do

HATE being a girl sometimes Sad

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 12/04/2022 19:42

You can buy the generic oral antifungal tablet cheaply online. I have some in the house in case i need them

jowly · 12/04/2022 19:45

Any chance you could be diabetic OP? All these infections, thrush etc

tilder · 12/04/2022 19:46
Hmm
NotTheOW · 12/04/2022 19:46

You really need to see a doctor. I know it's a pain. Can you move doctors easily to one with a better system?

Original poster
KiwiFruitCake · 12/04/2022 19:56

@dementedpixie

You can buy the generic oral antifungal tablet cheaply online. I have some in the house in case i need them
Brilliant thank you very much. I’ve got canneston so I’ll use that in the meantime before getting an appointment Smile
OP posts:
Original poster
KiwiFruitCake · 12/04/2022 19:58

@jowly

Any chance you could be diabetic OP? All these infections, thrush etc
Honestly I’m not sure! I feel like something isn’t right with me but I don’t know how to describe it, ive just felt so run down for the last few months! Work and uni stress probably hasn’t helped though! I’ll try and persevere with the doctor and find out what’s going on x
OP posts:
Original poster
KiwiFruitCake · 12/04/2022 19:58

@tilder

Hmm
?
OP posts:
Original poster
KiwiFruitCake · 12/04/2022 19:59

@NotTheOW

You really need to see a doctor. I know it's a pain. Can you move doctors easily to one with a better system?
I’m definitely going to try and do that yeah. It’s actually a really nice practice and the doctors are all lovely (just very busy!) but if they had was some kind of online service/ econsult it would be so much easier!
OP posts:
Helenahandkart · 12/04/2022 20:07

Get to the sexual health clinic asap. Even though you’re not currently sexually active it could be something from the past that’s recurring. Plain water to wash with, and try to only use natural pads (unperfumed) in case it’s made worse by chemicals.
Poor you. It sounds awful for you.

Gowithme · 12/04/2022 20:10

I would recommend plain kefir yoghurt as a fantastic probiotic after all those antibiotics.

TempName01 · 12/04/2022 20:14

Could you have a tampon stuck that you’ve forgotten about?

NotTheOW · 12/04/2022 20:22

I’m definitely going to try and do that yeah. It’s actually a really nice practice and the doctors are all lovely (just very busy!) but if they had was some kind of online service/ econsult it would be so much easier! different systems work for different people and they won't be offended or anything like that.

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