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hollybear9420
07 August 2016 @ 08:05 am
Yeast infection during period, cup smells awful...help!
So I'm almost 100% certain I have my first ever yeast infection. I started my period on the 4th but noticed itchiness a day or two before that. (No other symptoms.) On the night of the 3rd, I was inserting my cup early since I never know exactly when my period's going to show up on the day it's scheduled for. I had to take it out and reinsert for whatever reason and I noticed small chunks of white discharge (perhaps the "cottage cheese" that happens when you get yeast infections?) but thought nothing of it.

Just yesterday, I started to notice every time I took out my cup to empty it, it smelled really awful. Kind of like death and old cheese. Last night I cleaned it with DivaWash as I do every cycle, but I noticed after I cleaned it that the smell was still there. I can smell it as soon as I remove the cup and it's terrible.

I'm definitely going to make an appointment with my doctor regarding the yeast infection, but my concern is the lingering smell in my cup. How do I get rid of it? Also, is there any chance that the yeast infection could somehow linger in my cup even after I clean it with DivaWash or boil it?

I've read about peroxide, rubbing alcohol, vinegar and baking soda and think I might try the alcohol (seemed to be the safest option in terms of how it affects the silicone) and/or the vinegar and baking soda.

What would be the best option to disinfect and get rid of the horrid sharp cheddar cheese smell?

Thank you so much in advance, I know this was totally TMI but your girl needs HELP!
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Kai: 2Cupskuradi8 on August 7th, 2016 01:05 pm (UTC)
A yeastie beastie is not such a terrible thing -- just unpleasant. Try off-the-shelf remedies (Monistat, etc) and home remedies (Google, there are many) before hitting the panic button and spending the money to see a doctor. There are many things that can make yeast bloom including some soaps that might be on your cup and hands, or the foods that you crave before/during your period. Google anti-candida diet. If home remedies don't work, it persists or gets worse, then a trip to your Dr would be a good idea.

As for your cup, give it a good wash. Rub and scrub it well, inside and out. Silicone doesn't absorb so it's all on the surface. Vinegar is one of the home remedies for your vagina so it could also be effective for your cup. And then setting it in an airy and sunny spot such as a window sill.
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..::bella vita::..por_que_no on August 7th, 2016 07:15 pm (UTC)
The "old cheese" and "death" is not a smell you associate with yeasties in my experience. More like "stale bread" or "frat house basement on a Sunday morning" (old beer). "Death" makes me think that you might have bacterial vaginosis. I think I encountered this once and it went away on its own (my pH was knocked out of balance due to a bath gel I was using). Both do give you the itchies but they smell very different.
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Yawnksavannahjan on August 7th, 2016 09:22 pm (UTC)
If it is a yeast infection, peel a clove of garlic and place it in the vagina. Works almost immediately to give relief and garlic is a natural enemy to yeast. It won't get stuck up there, and typically comes out on its own when you pee in the morning. I haven't used medication for yeast infections for YEARS.
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..::bella vita::..por_que_no on August 8th, 2016 07:44 pm (UTC)
Garlic works, or if you don't want to risk smelling like salad dressing, try lemon juice soaked in a tampon and worn for several hours. Use a plastic applicator tampon, dip it in the lemon juice with the applicator still on, then insert.

This trick will fix your pH no matter what the problem is (yeast or BV). Neither yeast nor BV can get really established inside you if your pH is good.

Edited at 2016-08-08 07:44 pm (UTC)
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jourdanicus on August 10th, 2016 02:30 am (UTC)
I get frequent yeast infections and I use apple cider vinegar to clean my cup, because it's somewhat successful in combating yeasties. I soak my cup in a glass of the stuff overnight, rinse really well with cold water, and then leave it in a sunny window on a clean paper towel for a few hours. I know it sounds weird but setting it out in the sun really gets rid of the smell. It could just be that airing it out helps but I've heard other anecdotes of sunshine helping as well.

Don't forget to wash the storage bag to your cup as well, at least every so often. That can help keep things fresh n such :)
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hollybear9420hollybear9420 on August 12th, 2016 01:35 am (UTC)
Thank you to everyone who replied, you're all very helpful! :) I figured out that the cheese smell was actually the DivaWash orange scent that mixed with the awful trash smell I had. So it turns out it wasn't a yeast infection, but a bacterial infection. I'll definitely keep your advice in mind should I ever get a yeast infection!

As for the lingering smell in my cup, I tried vinegar but it only made my cup smell like trash and vinegar.

Second, I tried hydrogen peroxide for a few hours, and my cup looks brand new. It still has a slightly off scent, but it's not nearly as strong.

After that I tried soaking it in hot soapy water and that didn't do too much.

Not sure what else I can try, but I sure am glad all those old stains in my cup are gone!

Thank you again to everyone, I really appreciate your help.
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Jennifer Monoteasy2begreen on August 13th, 2016 12:01 am (UTC)
Have you tried boiling your cup? That works better for me than soaking it in alcohol or soap or hydrogen peroxide. Ten minutes in boiling water will also kill off most microbes that are left. If the smell persists after boiling (I don't think this has ever been the case for me!), leave it in direct sunlight for a couple hours.
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hollybear9420hollybear9420 on August 18th, 2016 04:41 pm (UTC)
I didn't try boiling it until today. (I've been really lazy lately.) The smell is still slightly there, but I do feel better about the cleanliness of my cup. Thank you :)

Also - a correction to my last comment. I went to the doctor and was prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection. A few days later, the office called and told me it was a yeast infection. So they prescribed a 3 day suppository. I finished it a couple days ago, but still suspect the infection is there. Something just seems off. So I'm definitely going to try the garlic trick this weekend. Thanks again to everyone! :)
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gepunktetrock on August 20th, 2016 01:25 am (UTC)
Did you take and/or finish taking the antibiotics? If you started them, it's important to finish them so you don't develop resistance to antibiotics.

On the other hand, antibiotics can cause yeast infections as it kills the good bacteria that helps counteract the yeast, so usually doctors will recommend that you eat yogurt daily while on them.

So, if you still feel like you may have the yeast infection or symptoms try eating yogurt and/or taking a supplement like AZOYEAST. If you still feel symptoms after a week, you may need to visit the doctor again.

Garlic might burn a little as a warning. You can try PLAIN yogurt instead of the garlic, which may feel a little better. I reiterate if you are brave enough to try putting yogurt in your vagina, go with plain yogurt nothing with sugar or fruit in it.

Good luck! Hope you feel better soon.
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hollybear9420hollybear9420 on August 21st, 2016 01:53 am (UTC)
Yes, I did finish the antibiotics. My doctor didn't recommend the yogurt though, unfortunately. Thank you very much for your suggestions. I tried the garlic last night, but I'm not sure how long it would take to know the infection is gone. I still feel a slight itch now, so I really don't know, haha. I'll probably try eating some yogurt and give the garlic another go if things feel worse. Thanks for the well wishes and kind advice =)
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(no subject) - Hashmi Dawakhana on June 13th, 2018 08:03 am (UTC) (Expand)