cant beat this yeast infection!

[mairead]

Hi all:

Im new to the board but am loving what I see here!

So, I am an avid rider, using my bike as my main transportation and continuously training for centuries. So, here is my issue....

I had to take a serious round of antibiotics at the beginning of the summer which resulted in a nasty yeast infection. I thought I fought it off homeopathically--garlic, yogurt, etc--but....it seem to come flaring back everytime I do a long ride! I am hitting between 75 and 100 miles just about every weekend so this is a real bummer.

Could it be that I keep passing it back by not cleaning my shorts enough? I use cold water and Dr. Bonners, per TYR's instructions.

Could it my position on the bike? I have been riding with the same saddle brand/type for years but just got a new bike. I have not gotten it professionally fit, could it be the adjustment? Am I bearing down to hard on my junk?

I eat a relatively low sugar diet, though I drink cytomax on the bike. I try to eat a lot of yogurt and take oral asidophilus (sp?).

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Im training for a 125mile charity ride in 2 weeks and can't miss anytime on the bike (I took today off to try and recharge my flora ; ) )

Thanks!!!!!!!!

[Zen]

It could be due to your body's pH balance.
If you have a natural foods store go there and ask the HBA staff for some assistance.

[sundial]

Here's an old country doctor remedy--a buttermilk douche. You should get relief of symptoms in 15 minutes.

Another tip is to use that blow dryer after you shower.

[Crankin]

I would first, make sure that you do not have a bacterial infection. I had one in the beginning of the season; no amount of natural cures will cure it! The symptoms were pretty much the same as a yeast infection, but the pain never abated. I would *think* it was gone, but it really wasn't. I wasted 6 weeks like this, when all it took was a quick check by my gyn. and a prescription. She said my numbers were "off the charts." I had never had one before, so it never crossed my mind.
I started washing my shorts in HOT water after this. I know, all the tags say don't do this, but I haven't had a problem since I started this. And, I am very vigilant about changing out of my shorts after riding; no sitting around and eating and socializing. My extra pair of loose shorts go in the car with me for events/rides.

[indysteel]

I found relief through an apple cider vinegar bath. Pour two cups of it into bath water and sit there for as long as you can. I also "blotted" myself with a diluted solution of it a couple of times throughout the day.

Have you been to the doc?

[mairead]

thanks for all the great advice! Im going to my doc on Monday. In the meantime, I am going to try an apple cider vinegar bath and maybe some yogurt suppositories. And washing my shorts in boiling water.

Anyone think this could be related to my seat being too high or my tilt being off?

ugh. Thanks so much everyone!!!!

[smurfalicious]

Ummm washing shorts in boiling water sounds like a damn fine way to ruin them. Remember, they're synthetic as in related to plastics. Most chamois have built in anti-bacterial properties, but just like hanging out in a wet suit sitting in our shorts for hours and creating heat and humidity in the area is going to create the perfect circumstances for yeast.

So my favorite yeast infection cure is boric acid. Also good for killing ants! It sounds crazy but my friend who is a homeopathic superwoman recommended it. I go about using it one of two ways. I have empty gel caps I got at an herb shop and I'll fill a few and put them in. The other option that is uber soothing is to buy a vinegar douche and empty it out. I figure the vinegar is the least awful substance to have first been in the bottle. Then I dump a bit of boric acid in the bottom so it's maybe 1/4 deep and fill it with cool water. It dissolves better in hot but we don't want that. Shake the daylights out of it and use!

Usually one round of the boric acid douche will work but in case it doesn't I bust out the gel caps.

Another possibility is that your partner may be giving it back to you once it's gone. Guys can get a yeast infection too! They just usually aren't symptomatic so the back and forth can happen easily.

I second making sure it's not bacterial vaginosis. That can really suck! Worst part is no beer or alcohol during treatment.

[indysteel]

thanks for all the great advice! Im going to my doc on Monday. In the meantime, I am going to try an apple cider vinegar bath and maybe some yogurt suppositories. And washing my shorts in boiling water.

Anyone think this could be related to my seat being too high or my tilt being off?

ugh. Thanks so much everyone!!!!

Your saddle in and of itself will not cause a yeast infection--which has to do with your pH balance being off. However, a saddle that isn't adjusted properly can cause some contact abrasion and discomfort that can feel an awful lot like a yeast infection. Your doctor will be able to determine what you have, and I would suggest getting a proper diagnosis before resorting to any of the OTC yeast infection products out there (like Monistat).

I finally got my situation sorted out and have been problem free for a few months now, but it did require (in order) getting ride of a bad saddle sore, treating the resulting yeast infection that I got from overcleaning myself, treating the abrasion that my saddle was causing me with a topical Cortizoid cream, getting my bike and saddle refit to eliminate the discomfort that caused the saddle sore in the first place. Oh, what a vicious circle that was!

[shootingstar]

Let's put it this way...had some infection probably due to cycling for several hrs. in the rain on our way to Seattle.

Enough that I really couldn't join mimi for a bike ride. So cured myself by a visit to Seattle drugstore...

[Miranda]

Another +1 for the Difluken pill...

Who ever invented the notion of stuffing more yucky stuff near your already yeasty yucky you know what as a cure was insaine.

When I saw my gyno once for my saddle issues he told me there is also this external yeast that ladies can get in the summer months. It can be quickly cured with some sort of rx topical cream. The doc just needs to see it to properly dx.

I'm with the rest of the girls on the don't mess with nature. I think I'm about a 3 pair of panties a day changing gal, nightie w/no bottoms, no soap stuffs there--just plain water, no scented/deorderant pads/tampons, etc.

Hope you find a permanent solution.

[smurfalicious]

I would really, really, really avoid Diflucan or OTC creams if you can. Relying on those basically create super yeast that will only become resistant.

Here's a great resource on cures from outside the icky cream/anti-fungal pill realm: https://www.msu.edu/~eisthen/yeast/yourself.html

[BethG]

I had to take a serious round of antibiotics at the beginning of the summer which resulted in a nasty yeast infection. I thought I fought it off homeopathically--garlic, yogurt, etc--but....it seem to come flaring back everytime I do a long ride! I am hitting between 75 and 100 miles just about every weekend so this is a real bummer.

I think if you've tried the "natural"/do-it-yourself/homeopathic remedies, and the infection keeps recurring, it's time to try a prescription or over-the-counter remedy. (and really, is that any messier than self-treating with yogurt?)

Change/shower as soon as possible after riding, wash your shorts (and your other skivvies) in hot water, and treat the infection.

If you're still having problems, it's probably time to talk to your gyn.

[eofelis]

I used to have bad, ongoing YI/BV problems. They did not seem to be bike-riding related.

I went through a few rounds of heavy-duty meds, even Diflucan. They didn't clear it all up. I also did some home remedies at the same time.

The remedy that I think helped me the most was the vinegar bath. I also put a few squirts of povidine-iodone solution in (antimicrobial). When mine was really bad I'd do the bath 2x day. Take a book, sit for 1/2 hr until water cools off.

I've been infection-free for a couple of years now. I also take Azo Yeast tablets as a preventative.

I am a bit particular about the chamois in my riding shorts. If it is too thick or stiff I find it irritating. I cannot wear PI shorts. My faves are older Hind and Insport shorts, they have very thin padding. I also like Blackbottoms shorts.

Do web search for making boric acid tabs also.