Female Problems (stupid tampon question) !!

[KiwiFruitCake]

Name changed (for obvious reasons!

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

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

If you can't see a doctor as soon as you'd like, you could maybe try going into a pharmacy and asking to speak to a pharmacist? There ought to be somewhere you can talk privately, and they might be able to recommend something to ease it in the meantime.

Try cloth/reusable pads, less chemicals and less scratchy. Eat plenty of probiotics- live yogurt, kefir, kimchi etc. I’d be tempted to try live yogurt directly applied in the evenings (shower a couple of hours later) to try and repopulate the good bacteria.

did you leave a tampon up there i mean has anyone checked?

use reusables not tampons while your not on your period but you must hot wash them so you dont re-infect yourself

OP be wary of too many home remedies without knowing the underlying cause or diagnosis.

You need to see a doc

Buy yourself a test kit on Amazon if you can’t see a GP, then you might get an easy answer. Ideally you should see a doctor asap but next best thing is
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0144J98XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DXDQ0N7M48F8C22RPSYG?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
And no tampons, definitely not.

You need to go to a GUM clinic. They do walk ins and they will be able to see if it’s thrush or BV. They are quite different and different treatments, so it’s important to know which. In the mean time don’t use a tampon!!
I had repeated thrush and it caused the skin to become so fragile and sore that it bled, which is probably the reddish brown stuff you mention. Get it seen ASAP - it needs to take priority over Uni/work, it’s an urgent medical issue.

You can get a thrush / bv test kit at most big supermarkets. Is there a 24 hr one you can get too? I’ve been woken by horrid itching in the past, gone to the shop in the middle of the night, taken the the test in the loo and then gone back in to buy the correct treatment.

But defo stop with the tampon.

If it’s itchy and it’s thrush natural yogurt applied topically soothes. I’ve also been known to slather a pad in it and then freeze said pad.

I agree with not wearing underwear to bed. My mother suffered continuous yeast infections until she stopped, and she always told me not to.

That's a lot of infections in a short time, do you think there might be something up with your immune system?

You poor thing, it sounds so uncomfortable for you.

It would be worth getting your blood sugar levels checked even if it is to eliminate the possibility of diabetes. The symptoms cover a lot of what you are experiencing. Best of luck.

www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-symptoms-in-women.html

I'd go to the out of hours clinic or call in sick and go and wait in the gp surgery to make an appointment.
Have you been checked for Candida? I'm no expert by any means but might be worth researching.
It sounds like your microbiome is struggling, you could also try probiotics and adding fermented foods and drinks to your diet and cutting down on sugar and processed food.

also in answer to your original question - agree no tampons, wear pads if needed but sounds like you need to let things breathe.

Tell go you are having irregular spotting. You needs swabs and gynea referral

As someone who had suffered more than her fair share of vaginal issues, you have my sympathies. I recommend the following:

1. See a doctor or go to a sexual health clinic as soon as you can. This is crucial to make sure any issues that need medical attention have been addressed first.
2. All the antibiotics you've had to take will have damaged the delicate ecosystem in your vagina, it will take some time to recover. Once you've got any infections under control with the help of the doctor, you might like to try some Canesflor probiotics, I've found them helpful in the past.
3. Sleep naked from the waist down. Seriously, let everything breathe. If I don't do this I get itchy again within a week. I keep PJ bottoms next to the bed to put on if I need to get up in the night.
4. Don't put anything on your vulva except water. No soaps, no creams and especially nothing marketed as any kind of cleanser for down there. Don't use bubble bath or bath bombs. Don't use vagisil either.
5. Wear cotton knickers and avoid thongs.

I also recommend reading the book "The Vagina Bible" by Dr Jen Gunter. It is full of really useful information for women.

As well as ditching the underwear at night, make sure your underwear is cotton or whatever natural material you can get.

Make sure your trousers aren't too tight around there and don't wear tights too often.

You need to be seen and get some proper drugs.

Sounds like it could be a combination of things and a swab is needed. Phone your gp reception and explain the problem ask if you can have a gp or nurse appointment - you might find the receptionist will be helpful and if embarrassed you can ask for a female gp or alternatively a sex health clinic but you must be seen. Trust your instinct.

@KiwiFruitCake

What age are you?

My mum had a load of urine infections but it turned out to be (I think) vaginal atrophy and she was prescribed a steroid (again I think - not 100%)

You may have an overgrowth of Candida in your body. This can be resolved by diet changes. There’s a dietician Dr Zoe Harcombe who explains the condition (like a parasite) and explains how to kill it off and control it. Worth a look.

@KiwiFruitCake the symptoms you describe are also symptoms of gonorrhoea, I think you need to book yourself an urgent STI check