r/vulvodynia • u/Usual_Key_7926 • 4d ago

Burning after yeast infection

I really need help and some understanding regarding my situation. I first got a yeast infection in January (treated with clotrimazole), and then later got another infection (cloteimazole again) and then I was diagnosed with Gardnerella. I was treated for that (I didn’t have a yeast infection at that time, mostly burning and irritation), but on the treatment I developed a severe yeast infection. This time, Canesten didn’t work, and even a single dose of fluconazole didn’t help.

Later, after using a vaginal suppository and taking another fluconazole pill, I tested positive for a yeast infection again. I then completed a fluconazole treatment on days 1, 3, and 7. Right now, I don’t really have the typical discharge that usually comes with a yeast infection, but I still experience intense burning and irritation every day. I feel like I’m going crazy. Sex is painful, and I can’t stop thinking about it all the time. It’s making me really depressed, especially because I’m constantly dealing with burning and pain in such an intimate area every single day.

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u/TheLuminousKnife 4d ago

I'm so sorry to hear that. I would take this current study to your gynecologist. There's a lot of research to suggest that yeast infections and the antifungals used to treat them cause a proliferation of mast cells, leading to constant inflammation in the vestibule.

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u/Usual_Key_7926 4d ago

Which antifungals does cause that? The oral fluconazole or the vaginal clotrimazole?

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u/AcademicBlueberry328 3d ago edited 3d ago

When you have recurring vulvovaginal candidasis you should be on a prophylactic yeast treatment for a longer while to make sure it doesn’t form back. Since you were treated for a bacteria the yeast likely had more space to flourish.

If fluconazole didn’t help it can be that it’s a non-albicans, and for that you need to do labs to find out.

Yeast is notorious for irritating the nerves, it can actually make the nerves proliferate and activate inflammatory reactions. If it’s albicans for example, it comes in three forms — spores, pseudohyphae, and hyphae. Only hyphae grows well in petri, so if you only do a swab and don’t look under a microscope the yeast can be missed. All the forms irritate the inflammatory system.

You can look for yeast in this sub and you will find a lot of info! Generally the topicals aren’t great and will irritate you. But what you also need to find out is why you are susceptible to BV and yeast. Are you on the pill? Are you in peri? Could you have PCOS? Maybe ureaplasma?

What’s important is to a) keep the yeast away as to not irritate b) let the tissues heal (no PIV until better, micro tears make the spores enter deeper into the tissue) c) make sure hormonal level is balanced.