hi all, I’m 62 and post menopausal. Last year started to experience a vaginal infection/discharge/itching and basically have had a year of real ups and downs. My GP kept saying “I don’t know what this is” and “definitely not VA” and test kept coming back “indeterminate” and GP said she wasn’t sure what that meant! Eventually after two infections and a lot of clindamycin with no end in sight I saw a lovely private consultant who specialises in thrush and infections. Of course all infection gone by then but he suspected Aerobic vaginitis and said NHS test would not show positive for that. Put me on vagifem and confirmed I had VA. Huge relief.
All good for a while Then out of nowhere another infection. Wrongly diagnosed myself and two lots of clyndamicin which did nothing but make it worse. GP just prescribed over phone. Eventually had a test done and could not believe it was heavy thrush. Took 4 weeks and multiple (I’m talking about 9 tablets) flucozanal tablets to get rid of it. Actually found combining the flucozanal with ibuprofen was the breakthrough for me. Now back on vagifem having done reloading and a nervous wreck at any slight twinge.
I’m reaching out because I feel like I’m only person who does not experience terrible dryness (yes some pain at times when sitting on hard chair) and some irritation (I am not sexually active although smear test was agony) and no cystitis but my problem is these infections …I can’t find any good info in how I can prevent them? have been ultra cautious using dermol to shower, not swimming, cotton underwear not tight trousers and become quite obsessive about washing and keeping clean. I’ve also upped the vagifem to every 3 nights. I can’t face another infection. Any thoughts or anyone out there with similar problem?
Thank you
PS reading threads on this forum has been a real help on dark days