washing Divacup/yeast infections

[canuckgal]

Hey everyone, I am wondering if any of you cup users have problems with yeast infections. I have been getting one pretty much every month and it starts in the week my period ends. I have tried all sorts of things/ruled out all sorts of things, both dh and I have been treated orally with meds even, and I suspect the cup may be a big factor.

I usually empty it as least 3-6 times a day depending on how heavy things are with my flow. Most of the time I just rinse it, but try to wash it with soap one to two times a day like the instructions say. I think I may buy the Diva wash to try. I am currently treating a yeast infection : and have bought a new cup and a whole new set of pads and am hoping that this will not return.

Any ideas? I am ready to go and get that (very expensive) yeast cleanse from my health food store already!

[ledzepplon]

I've noticed something similar, and my *guess* is that since the Diva blocks all the fluids from exiting, the normal bacteria that help control the yeast have nowhere to live. For me, using the Diva during the first two days of my period and then using more pads after that seemed to help.

This article from Discovery Health has some interesting info on the connection between menstrual cycles and yeast.

I hope you can get to the bottom of this . . . yeast is no fun!

[Kleine Hexe]

Maybe rinse the Diva in vinegar each month?

I have success using acidolphilus capsules inserted vaginally right after doing a med treatment for yeast.

I currently have one. It sucks. I haven't had one in two years. As soon as I'm done with the monistat I'll use the capsules for a week.

My GYN in Germany told me this trick. So far has worked great.

[vivalamama]

I haven't experienced this issue with my diva, but have you checked out
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups

there is an amazing amount of information on this site.

what kind of soap are you using? I think that can make a difference.
you can also boil your cup to sterilize it. I don't think you are supposed to use a cup if you have a current yeast infection. good luck!

[perl]

I was just telling DH (poor thing!) today that I read on here awhile ago about how washing the Diva cup with soap could cause yeast infections.

Ever since I read about the soap, I've been cleaning with just water and boiling each month. Voila! No more yeast infections! Hopefully something this simple will work for you

[PatienceAndLove]

I get those AZO yeast pills. They seem to keep that nasty yeasties away. Perhaps that would help? You take 1 every day. 2 a day while dealing with a yeast infection.

[Twinklefae]

nak

I never used soap, just rinsed in running water, and always soaked in vinegar and water at the end of my cycle.

[quantumleap]

You are supposed to boil your cup for 10 minutes at the end of every cycle.
I don't know if the yeast connection is to the cup or simply to your menstrual cycle. Perhaps both are at play.