Yeast Infections

I got a new bike this summer and have been going riding a lot more now. I'd like to go out every night for a bit but have been having horrible yeast infections that keep coming back. I was suspicious it was from bike riding and now that I read another thread about this yes that is what it is from. I am taking diflucan now. Just took my second pill in 4 days now. Usually this wipes them out for me and I don't have a problem for a year. Now that I am biking often they come back in about 3 weeks. Someone mentioned using a new gel called rephresh that is supposed to balance the ph and that they had success using this and haven't had a yeast infection since. I bought some of that and used it a few days ago so I am hoping that will do the trick. Has anyone else had success with this rephresh gel and preventing yeast infections?

Are you taking your bike shorts off immediately after you ride? Are you taking a shower, and then immediately drying the affected areas (yes, sometimes with a hair dryer)? You might try drying your bike shorts in the sun.

I have never used rephresh, so can't help you there.

In addition to changing out of soggy clothes as soon as possible, you might want to look for some yogurts or juices with lactobacillus. The Mayo Clinic cites some evidence that it provides symptom relief. I have found "Good Belly'" has lactobacillus, so I will sometimes drink Good Belly instead of orange juice in the morning. Or sometimes as dessert, after a meal.

Another home remedy is apple cider vinegar. It helps bring your pH back to normal. You can either try gently wiping yourself with a cotton pad soaked in it or sit in a shallow bath with it. Yes; the smell is a bit unpleasant, but it does work pretty well.

Be careful with the Diflucan if you're on birth control pills by the way. It can render them ineffective.

Thank you for your replies. I take off my shorts right after I am done riding and get in the shower and wash and then use a hair dryer to dry things out. I haven't tried the vinegar yet I'll have to try that. I have been taking a GNC probiotic complex with 4 billion organisms in it. Doesn't seem to be helping this summer however. Has anyone used monistat while riding? Or another type of cream that would be a good preventative? I'm going to see if this rephresh works by using it once a week and see what happens. I'd like to get out their biking again. This is so frustrating.

Monistat is not a preventative, but I have used it while riding (I get YIs when I use antibiotics).

I'm assuming that you're sure it's a yeast infection, but I will add this: In replacing my saddle once, I didn't get the new one completely level. I experienced horrible irritation that I first mistook for a YI. You say this is a new bike. Is there any chance that it might be irritating you in such a way that it feels like a YI?

It's mainly that the diflucan does get rid of all of my symptoms so I know it's yeast. Although it does come back in a few weeks. I get the cottage cheese discharge and burning.

Oh and although it's a new bike I took the seat off of my old bike which was a very nice comfy seat and put it on the new bike so I'm using the same seat I have been for years. Although I have been riding way more this summer and it's been record heat here so that's part of the problem. A good preventative is what I really need. Will try the vinegar baths.

There is such a thing as being too clean. If you are scrubbing with harsh soaps, you could be doing more damage and keeping chemistry off balance. My doctor said to wash with water, not soap. This was when I was commuting on my bike in the summer and taking multiple showers a day. Seemed to work. I hope you get relief soon.

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Originally Posted by tulip

There is such a thing as being too clean. If you are scrubbing with harsh soaps, you could be doing more damage and keeping chemistry off balance. My doctor said to wash with water, not soap. This was when I was commuting on my bike in the summer and taking multiple showers a day. Seemed to work. I hope you get relief soon.

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Good point. Especially don't use a soap labeled as anti-bacterial.

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Originally Posted by tulip

There is such a thing as being too clean. If you are scrubbing with harsh soaps, you could be doing more damage and keeping chemistry off balance. My doctor said to wash with water, not soap. This was when I was commuting on my bike in the summer and taking multiple showers a day. Seemed to work. I hope you get relief soon.

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Tulip is right. My doctor gave me the same advice. Also not using anything abrasive when you wash (although I know you get some relief from the itching when you scrub:D). The nurse told me to just gently use my hand to clean myself and be sure to dry the area well with a cool hair dryer, which you said you're doing. It worked for me. Good luck. I know how miserable these can be.

OK I'll try the no soap thing. I have been using baby shampoo. Which is the only thing that doesn't burn like fire when I have an active yeast infection. I tell ya I can't wait until the fall when it starts to get cooler outside. It's 85 today again. Thank you for all of your tips.

When you put the vinegar in the bath do you rinse off after or do you leave the vinegar all over your skin?

I have used Vagisil cleaner for years or a generic version of it and never had an issue using it.

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Originally Posted by Shell

When you put the vinegar in the bath do you rinse off after or do you leave the vinegar all over your skin?

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Sit in the bath as long as you can take it. From there, you can rinse off.