Hi all!
I seem to have just developed a pretty minor yeast infection. No terrible itching, just some slight burning, that weird smell and some discharge. I am using yogurt-smothered tampons to treat it. I know this has probably been asked before, but how long should I leave the tampon inside before I switch it out? Normal safe tampon usage time (~4 hrs) ? Any help would be appreciated. Also, would it be wise to combine the insertion of a probiotic pill with the tampon? I was considering also using a diluted apple cider vinegar douche, but wanted to know if that would burn at all. I had a bad experience with a garlic clove, so ths is why I ask! Thank you so much in advance for your help! :)
I seem to have just developed a pretty minor yeast infection. No terrible itching, just some slight burning, that weird smell and some discharge. I am using yogurt-smothered tampons to treat it. I know this has probably been asked before, but how long should I leave the tampon inside before I switch it out? Normal safe tampon usage time (~4 hrs) ? Any help would be appreciated. Also, would it be wise to combine the insertion of a probiotic pill with the tampon? I was considering also using a diluted apple cider vinegar douche, but wanted to know if that would burn at all. I had a bad experience with a garlic clove, so ths is why I ask! Thank you so much in advance for your help! :)
It's not unreasonable to combine probiotics with yogurt treatment, but make sure the probiotic pill you used can dissolve in the vagina; most are intended for oral ingestion and only dissolve in digestive enzymes. A vinegar douche might also work, but I don't think it will help to combine it with either yogurt or probiotics, as the acid may be too strong to allow the bacteria to live. You need to dilute it sufficiently if you don't want it to burn. If you think you have a lot of little cuts, a common complication of infection, it's probably best to stick with a more soothing treatment like yogurt, rather than something more harsh like vinegar.
Lastly, are you sure it's a YI? A foul odor is usually indicative of a bacterial infection, not a fungal one, and the nature of the discharge could be a sign of either type of infection. Probiotics and yogurt are unlikely to help with a bacterial infection, but the vinegar may help with any pH imbalance. Feel better!
ACV Douches are REALLY soothing with yeastie beasties. I prefer to douche first for soothing effect and to rinse out any yeast accumulation that I can, then insert yogurt for the evening to introduce good bacteria.