Hormone Patch and Recurring Yeast infections?

Hi all - I have a quick question.

My doctor put switched my hormones from the Estrogel to the Vivelle Dot. Which I love except for one side effect. Yeast infections.

I spoke to my doctor about this as I use to get them once a month and took difulcan. Now it is like as soon as it goes away it comes back again. They told me to take otc monostat.

But how can I live week in and week out with a YI? Anyone have anything that they do to PREVENT them?? I have not been initmate with my hubby in over a month due to this issue.

Hi yeast infections are not a side effect of the Vivelle dot or any other HRT, but we are less resistant to them if we don't get enough estrogen in the vaginal walls. So, one thing you might try for prevention is using some type of vaginal estrogen. My favorite is Vagifem but there are many choices - ask your DR.

Second, has your husband been treated for the yeast infections as well? If not, then you would just continue to pass the infection back and forth until you're both treated at the same time.

Also, using some type of probiotic daily (or eating plain unsweetened yogurt with live active cultures) can help prevent yeast overgrowth.

I hope this helps.

s,
-Linda

hi Linda - the reason I say it was the side effects from the Vivelle dot is because I had not had any SINCE my surgery until going on the patch and the pamplet the doctor gave me said the side effects where yeast infections. This was the pamplet in the sample boxes. It clearly said yeast infections so I assumed I was just having that as my side effects.

I will talk to my hormone doctor once I go back in two weeks about the vaginal estrogen and see if we can try something to help out. Thanks for your advice.

It could be that it just took some time after your surgery for your vaginal walls to become depleted of estrogen, and that coincided with your switching to the Vivelle-dot.

s,
-Linda

I agree - i am definitely going to be talking to him. What other things are there for the vaginal wall besides the vagifem? Just wanted to do some research. Thanks!

There's Estring, which is a flexible plastic ring worn vaginally that releases a very tiny dose of estradiol continuously over a few months per ring. Then there are the creams - Premarin cream, Estrace cream, or you can have a vaginal estrogen cream compounded (I've used compounded estriol that way before).

There are also non-estrogen products, but if you are able to use estrogen, the ones that contain estrogen are much more effective.

s,
-Linda

Having had multiple yeast infections following tons of antibiotics for sinus infections (prior to sinus surgery), I strongly recommend the oral pill for yeast infections vs the vaginal creams/suppositories, etc. You take ONE tablet, SO much easier and less messy than treating it the traditional way. My gyn always prescribes TWO tablets though, and recommends taking the second one 3-5 days after the first. Seems to kick it in the butt, and doesn't recur as frequently. Generic name: Fluconazole.

Hey there...just checking this thread out, and my Vivelle Dot insert says yeast infections are a side effect. That really thrills me as I also can look at an antibiotic and get an infection. I'm just trying to get healed from surgery, get through this first few Jungle weeks and see where I land. I use the Diflican, but can you take it constantly? And if Vivelle has this side effect, do others also?