Yeast Infections

[Shell]

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?

[Blueberry]

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.

[pll]

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.

[indysteel]

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.

[Shell]

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.

[indysteel]

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?