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Original poster

WWYD about DD who refuses to see GP about possible yeast infection?

26 replies

PingPongBat · 30/09/2014 23:07

DD (12) has been reading a book about teenage health & has told me she thinks she has a yeast infection. She says she's had symptoms 'since the summer' and didn't want to tell me as she's been too embarrassed. She was in tears as she told me. She's not started periods yet.

I tried to reassure her, & said that if it is a yeast infection it can be treated... & she then said she's "NOT going to let anyone look" & will refuse to go to the doctor's about it, & that she regretted telling me about it in the first place. The book she was reading talks about how to prevent the infection but nothing about treatment, & I don't think I've ever had one myself (not that I can remember)... so I've looked up info on symptoms / treatment but of course I have no idea, & neither does she, if it is actually an infection. I've not noticed any smells (sorry!) when doing the washing, but she does have discharge. Everything I've read says that if you haven't had one before, you should go to your GP to check what it is rather than self treat, in case it's something else.

So - she won't go to the GP, I'm reluctant to get any over the counter remedies without a diagnosis - WWYD? Buy something anyway and see if it clears up? If so what?

OP posts:
divingoffthebalcony · 30/09/2014 23:16

Oh dear. At that age I can understand the absolute mortification at the idea of showing someone her genitals. That's difficult and I don't know how you get around that.

My main suspicion is that she's mistaking normal vaginal discharge for something normal. If she really did have thrush she would be in quite a lot of discomfort - itching, swelling, etc.

divingoffthebalcony · 30/09/2014 23:17

*something ABNORMAL

PotatoPolly · 30/09/2014 23:24

Not necessarily diving I've just been told my post-coil check swabs have shown thrush with no symptoms, no itching, soreness, redness or anything!

You could suggest a phone call with a doctor instead? Then she won't have the embarrassment of being face to face?

Original poster
PingPongBat · 30/09/2014 23:25

That's exactly what I said to her - I'm still mortified when I have to have a smear test! I'm hoping you're right - that she's mistaken. Thinking of leaving it a day or two then quietly giving her some info I've printed off so she can read it in private to see whether she thinks she needs treatment.

OP posts:
Original poster
PingPongBat · 30/09/2014 23:26

Not sure she's up to speaking to anyone about it yet PotatoPolly- but I might suggest it later in the week

OP posts:
KissMyFatArse · 30/09/2014 23:27

Is natural yoghurt not supposed to help yeast infections? She could try that, or canestan cream from the chemist to try then failing that if try and persuade her to go?

gamerchick · 30/09/2014 23:30

Maybe being mortified about a smear has rubbed off onto your kid.

You don't need a diagnosis.. get her the canisten combi. She'll taken the pill and use the cream and it doesn't matter a jot whether she has it or not.. The placebo effect will be enough.

The way you're going on about it.. no wonder she's nervous.

Please don't print stuff off for christs sake.

ChippingInLatteLover · 30/09/2014 23:31

I would ask her what the symptoms are for a start.

If she is itchy etc then I'd make sure she was just washing with water and nothing else - or at most some fem wash.

Also, if she is wearing skin tight jeans etc they can aggravate it too.

I don't know how you can make her go without that meaning she never tells you anything else ever again... but maybe you could tell her about your smears and how much you dislike it, but do it for the sake of your health. You could also reassure her it would be a woman doctor or nurse who has 'seen it all before'.

This might be a tad uncomfortable too - but she might be making it a bit raw/sore herself if she has recently discovered it feels rather nice and if she does have thrush or something it's a relief to rub as well so it might be a bit of a cycle....

Good luck, it's not an easy age!

gamerchick · 30/09/2014 23:31

And gps don't look at your bits for a yeast infection.. you need to reassure her of that.

Zippyandbungle · 30/09/2014 23:32

I've had a yeast infection and never had to show a doctor anything.

I would try for a phone appointment and you do all the talking with dd there to answer questions indirectly. I'm sure most doctors will be sympathetic to a 13 year olds embarrassment.

Original poster
PingPongBat · 30/09/2014 23:33

Thanks for the encouragement gamer Hmm.

I've never mentioned my fear of smear tests to her, and I have not expressed my concern to her - just reassured her that if there is something wrong it's probably easily treated. Just came on here for some friendly advice, not criticism.

OP posts:
Zippyandbungle · 30/09/2014 23:34

*12 sorry

Original poster
PingPongBat · 30/09/2014 23:37

ooh - I had assumed you needed an 'inspection' or a swab from down there..?? So maybe not? - if so then I may be able to encourage her to the GP. Still not sure about giving her meds when she might not need it.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 30/09/2014 23:38

That was friendly advice.

Go to the chemist and get her the combi. Job done. Making a bigger meal over this than necessary will ensure she tells you bugger all in the future. Believe me.

Original poster
PingPongBat · 30/09/2014 23:39

Thanks Chipping. We've had a bit of a symptoms discussion but she clammed up quite quickly.

OP posts:
ItIsSmallerOnTheOutside · 30/09/2014 23:41

I had a yeast infection once. Spoke to a pharmacist told them I had itching and discharge and they sold me Canesten Duo which cleared it up straight away. There was no examination and I wasn't told to see a gp. I have also heard that natural yoghurt helps but not tried it.

As a pp said, your dd will have to tell you her symptoms because it is very possible that she is mistaking ordinary discharge for thrush.

Original poster
PingPongBat · 30/09/2014 23:45

Canesten Duo says "16 - 60 yr olds only". I always wondered about that sort of age restriction - if a 12 year old is the same size, weight & height as a 16 year old (or an adult for that matter) - does it matter what their actual age is?!

OP posts:
Momagain1 · 30/09/2014 23:53

FWIW, during my first pregnancy, it was quickly discovered that i had a yeast infection, which was something i had never even heard of. What they told me were the symptoms had begun in the year before I began my period. But our sex education was only the vaguest of reproduction advice, and that was the year AFTER I started anyway. I never had any idea the discharge wasnt something all women did!

Bakeoffcakes · 01/10/2014 00:08

No I wouldn't tgi be it to her if it says 16 on the packet.

I think you need to ask her symptoms, if she won't tell you I think if be inclined to get a bit tougher with her. Talk abou throw fantastic it is that she's told you she thinks she has a problem but now she has to do the next bit which is telling you what her symptoms are as it might be normal. Does she know about normal discharge? If she won't tell you would she wrote it down?

If you think it's thrush then you phone the dr and explain.

ChippingInLatteLover · 01/10/2014 00:08

Ping I would be careful using anything she isn't 'old' enough for. If you take it to extremes think of it like putting veet hair removal cream on a new born baby. As you grow up and develop your skin changes, at 12 hers might still be too young/soft to use stuff like that.

I would also be wary of telling her they definitely wont want to do an examination, but you can tell her that it's her right to refuse if she wants to. At least it will get her there and then if they think it's necessary they can explain to her why it's necessary and what will happen, she can still say no if she wants. I think it would be quite an empowering thing for her, to understand that SHE is always in control of her body and who can see it/touch it.

They might want to take a look because a girl of this age wont know the difference between a regular discharge and one that's irregular and other things an older female would know about her own body. But she might be able to tell them enough.

Also, offer to wait in reception or go in with her, whichever she would be happy with. I'd have wanted to go in on my own at her age.

Primaryteach87 · 01/10/2014 00:09

Even talking to you is probably deeply mortifying. I think you're right not to want to treat it without confirmation - as she could be mistaken. Could you list a whole load of different vaginal symptoms on a word doc. Then print & get her to tick the ones that apply. Sounds convoluted but maybe slightly less difficult than saying outbound or find the right words to write down?

AnyFucker · 01/10/2014 00:34

I would ask the gp or practice nurse if she can swab herself. It doesn't need to be right to the top of the vagina like a smear test..
Then she can be checked out for thrush for sure, and the gp can prescribe something age appropriate if necessary

There is no need for an internal or external vaginal examination

Viviennemary · 01/10/2014 00:38

I agree with going to the chemist and getting the medication. And then if it doesn't clear up then take it from there. But not if that particular remedy is only for over 16's.

Idontknowhowtohelpher · 01/10/2014 00:40

dd2 (12) told me she was really itchy and sore "down there" and that it had been going on for about a week. As it was 9pm I rang 111 with her sat beside me and the phone on speaker and that worked well with her answering questions without speaking directly to anyone. Would that work for your dd?

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