Doctors - any advice for infections?

[BethinPR]

I recently went to a specialist for chronic vaginal infections after years of getting nowhere with my regular ob/gyn. In addition to a laundry list of steps we are going to take to fix this, she was insistant that I NOT wear any synthetic fabric, which makes sense. The bad news - she inlcuded cycling shorts in this. So I tried riding in cotton shorts once, and besides being totally uncomfortable, it just doesn't seem to be a better alternative. Are there any doctors out there who can comment? I want to get rid of all my health issues, but I also want to be comfy/dry when riding. Thanks in advance for any advice

[indysteel]

I'm not a doctor, but if you do a search for the type of infection you've been having (yeast?), you will likely find a number of threads that might give you some guidance. There are number of women on the boards who've battled with persistent problems "down there" and there are a number of homeopathic remedies and whatnot suggested. I'm used some myself w/ success.

As for the shorts, I'm not sure what to suggest. TE sells some wool shorts by Ibex, but I would assume that the chamois itself isn't wool. Frankly, I can't imagine that cotton would be a good choice. It gets wet and stays wet, but not knowing the specifics of your brand of infection, I don't really know.

[BethinPR]

Thanks, Indy. I'll check out the other threads.

I have been battling with yeast and bacterial vaginosis off and on for about 6 years now. Finally seem to be making good headway with this physician, for which I'm grateful. She thinks I might also have something called intercistial cystitis (sp?), which is a bladder condition that has similar symptoms.

But I agree - on this point, the cotton definitely does not seem to be a good alternative! Just looking for any insight.

[Zen]

as long as you get your shorts off and bathe as soon as possible I don't think the material has much, if anything, to do with it.
I'm leaning toward a dietary answer.
Have you done any internet research?

[Blueberry]

I second the getting the shorts off as quickly as possible (even take a skirt, put on skirt, take off shorts if you're driving to a ride).

I wonder if you have an overabundance of yeast in your entire system. I have a friend who did, and I think she ended up eliminating all sugar, yeast, dairy and I'm not sure what else from her diet, but she feels much better now. Seems someone here had something similar - but I don't remember who

Good luck!!

CA

[BethinPR]

wow, thanks for all the quick replies. was wondering how to do a quick-change, but i like the skirt idea!

i dont post here often, but i read all the time. this is a great community.

[mimitabby]

I wonder if you have an overabundance of yeast in your entire system. I have a friend who did, and I think she ended up eliminating all sugar, yeast, dairy and I'm not sure what else from her diet, but she feels much better now. Seems someone here had something similar - but I don't remember who

Good luck!!

CA

+++

Yes, treat yourself as a whole person, not just a localized infection.

[tulip]

The diet suggestions are right on track.

Back when I was commuting 14 miles each way, I had this problem. My doctor suggested that I was "too clean," because I was taking several showers a day--am commute, pm commute, and sometimes even another one before bed (no A/C in that house). Too much soap down there, she said. So I cut back and things were resolved.

But sounds like you might have a more serious condition. Have you tried the diet suggestions? Sugar is a mean thing, as is caffeine. Do you drink lots of water (like lots)? That seemed to help me, too.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I feel your pain, but I'm not a doctor.

At one point they thought I had IC as well but it was a stress thing for me. I do know for a fact if I don't drink enough water and wash (no soap) after riding and I use a squirt bottle (a mobile bidet) to rinse after going to the bathroom, then I get a urinary tract infection which quickly becomes a kidney infection.

I also have had a number of surgeries which seemed to have changed the environment 'down there' so any time I ride or exercise, a rinse off and new undies are a requirement.

I found when I left the east coast years ago and moved to CA that alot of the problems I had diminished because of the humidity. Now that I'm back, I was 'almost' on my second urinary tract infection in 4 months. So with that, make sure you let it 'air out' (ie sleeping without undies works for me).

Diet is also a big factor for me. If I eat too much sugary refined foods, I'm sure to get something but it's not a yeast infection. I know when I go to the GYN they tell me it's not and are puzzled because there is no bacteria or yeast. Then I just make sure it's rinsed off, dry and eat right and it goes away.


I wash all of my shorts and undies seperately from the rest of my laundry and I use Dreft which is for babies.

I also found that the chamois bothers me in that it's too much padding. I just switched to regular shorts on most days but then some days I do use a chamois but I get out of them ASAP.

Hope you find some kind of relief!