itchy down there

[ACG]

The last 2 weeks, I've been on/off itchy, down there. I have good days and bad days.

It doesn't get worse or better with riding.
I don't use soap and I do wear cotton panties.
I took one of those home PH tests and mine was at 5.0, just the first notch into an 'infection'
I was on an antibiotic 3 weeks ago.

How long do you think to wait till you go see the gyno?

I guess I'm afraid to go in there and have them tell me its nothing, but then have no recourse for the discomfort. And since I'm 51, the last time I saw the gyno, (6 months ago) she tried to tell my I would eventually have to start taking HRT and that I should stop cycling and take up swimming as it was better for women my age. So really I'm not liking the doctor much right now either.

[Crankin]

Get a new doctor. That's crazy.
But, you don't need a doctor to treat a yeast infection. Go to the pharmacy and get some Monistat. You can get 3 day or one day treatment. Don't need a prescription. And start eating a daily dose of plain Greek yogurt.

[Grits]

Have you tried one of the OTC Monistat kits for yeast infections? Being on antibiotics can often lead to a yeast infection. If that clears it up, then that is what it was. I did have a gyno tell me one time that the 7 day treatment is more effective than the shorter ones, unfortunately.

I am about your age and went to the gyno myself for the first time in years for vaginal irritation, not itching, and because I had developed a cyst after a very long charity ride that I wanted to get checked out. There was nothing wrong, but he prescribed a hormone cream to use, which I haven't gotten filled yet. He says that "all women need it eventually as they age", but my discomfort really isn't that severe and can be relieved after rides with some Vagicaine - now, anyway.

If Monistat doesn't work, then you should go see the doc. You don't want to continue to be uncomfortable.

[ny biker]

Your doctor needs to join my local cycling club. So many active members, women and men, who are in their 60s and 70s. In fact I tried to latch onto a group of three of them during my ride on Saturday but they were too fast for me. We had a nice chat about their grandchildren when I caught up with them at the rest stop.

[Crankin]

Exactly. Most of the people in one of the groups I ride with are 5-15 years older than me. I only hope to still be that fit when I am 70.

[shootingstar]

I've used Monistat and Canesten at different times --over the counter. Worked for me. I've been cycling for last....22 yrs. Am 54.

Don't delay on trying this.

I've never had a doctor tell me not to cycle because of menopause, post-menopausal reasons.

[OakLeaf]

+1 on Monistat or Lotrimin OTC. Sounds yeast-ish to me.

But I suppose you do need to swim if you're going to be knocking on Sr Madonna Buder's age-group records.

[ACG]

Thank you ladies, went out and bought some monistat. Didn't think of it at all.

I hate this doc thing, she is younger than me, but really, cycling is bad for you? Really? Do they get kickbacks from drug companies?

[Crankin]

Two things.
She probably doesn't exercise/do any outdoor activity. And, she probably doesn't know anyone over the age of 50 that does.
Cycling is not bad for you. Sure, you might get some treatable gyn issues from riding, but for a physician to admonish you like this is extremely unprofessional. It is NOT inevitable that older women shrivel up, get fat, and need to be inactive. I had only been going to my gyn for about a year when I developed a lesion because I needed a change in saddle. At that point, she was not a cyclist, but when I told her what it was from, she was like, OK, and I got a new saddle! She was in her early forties and about 150 pounds overweight. She is now closer to 50 and is a tri-athlete and marathon runner who lost all of that weight. I love going there, because she treats me like an athletic woman who just happens to be almost 60. One of my friends stopped going to her, because she pushes a healthy lifestyle. She is the one who suggested I get an E-string t treat thin vaginal membranes/dryness that was impacting my riding as well as sexual stuff. Never, never, never has she suggested I take HRT.
There are much stricter rules about physicians accepting gifts from drug reps today. That doesn't mean that some doctors don't have their "favorite" drugs and push them because they don't take the time to learn about new things/research.
You are the consumer; choosing a doctor is just like buying any other service. Research, get recommendations from others who are athletic, and most of all, don't let this stop you from getting regular check ups. You just need to find the right person.