One of the greatest things about losing weight was feeling good enough about myself to go on an online dating site and meeting my wonderful bf.

That is when "my problem" started. Every time I had sex, I got a

UTI. I went to a urologist and he has me taking an antibiotic a few hours before sex. Now, the next day I immediately get a yeast infection. I can't win.

I went online to find some sort of home remedy because it's really getting expensive buying all this medication. One of the web sites said to shove a clove of garlic up there and it will get rid of yeast infections. I am afraid to try it. I had read to put unsweetened yogurt up there, but that is not very easy to get it in there where it needs to go.

Okay, end of rant. :lol:

I have a horrible suspicion that I might be joining you in your problem, Denise. After a fantabulous weekend of amazing nookie, I found myself reaching for the Caneston cream by the end of it and 3 days later, I'm still sore. God I hope it is just that it has been a long time for me, and not going to become an ongoing problem.

That must be some medication that is not in the US? I have never heard of Caneston. Here it's Monistat. Either way, it's not fair! I see another urologist that I am driving 100 miles to see on Thursday. This is a woman urologist. I am hoping a woman will have more of an idea on how to help me. I am at my wits end.

Probably a brand name difference - Caneston is your basic thrush cream. I think we get Monestat too, and it is the same thing.

Denise, I know this has been an ongoing problem for you for a while and that you've tried quite a few things, so I've been pondering what else might help you. It seems to me that the problem starts with the UTI. If you can prevent that, you won't need the anti-biotics, and if you don't take the anti-biotics, you won't end up with the thrush, so here are a couple of suggestions for reducing the UTIs:

* Switch away from your artificial lubes - I know lube has also been a problem for you but UTIs caused by sex are often a result of fluids/juices/lube oils etc getting pushed back up the urethra in the act. Try using good old Vaseline and apply a layer to yourself well before the sex act, using a mirror to make sure you coat the urethra opening. This is to put a barrier in place to stop anything travelling up the urethra. When you are ready for the act with your man, you can apply another layer for lube purposes.

* If you can, pee immediately after sex - this will help wash out anything that might have gotten through the Vaseline barrier.

* Wash with Water (not soap) immediately after peeing - this will remove anything that might sit in the warm wet folds and encourage bacteria growth.

* Drink lots of water (flushing purposes) and lots of Urals (local brand name - not sure what your equivalent would be).

These things should help to eliminate or at least reduce the incidence of UTIs. If you end up with one anyway, try to treat the symptoms as best you can before turning to the antibiotics. If you must use them because the UTI is so bad and you do end up with thrush, try these tricks (Do these before going to bed on a night where you won't be having sex):

* Put half a cup of brown vinegar in a warm bath and soak in it for 10 mins, making sure that you rinse yourself down there thoroughly.

* Use a tampon applicator or sterilised Monestat applicator to insert the natural yoghurt after your bath.

* Apply the Monestat cream to the outside, to relieve the itching sensations.

* Wear old cotton knickers - they will get messy! Don't wear synthetic fabrics, they will make you sweat and itch more.

* In the morning, do the vinegar bath trick again to wash away the yoghurt, then apply a light layer of fresh Monestat for the day. Wear cotton knickers until all symptoms have gone.

Good luck!! I hope this helps.

Thanks Fanny.

I never would have thought of using vaseline like that. It kind of scares me to not take the antibiotic before sex. The end result is the same though. If I get a UTI, I have to be on anitbiotics for several days. I get the yeast problem immediately.

If I use the antibiotic before sex, it's just one pill, but I still get the yeast the next day.

I do pee immediately after. Will start washing too. What is Urals? I always wear cotton crotch panties.

I did read online to douche with vinegar as yeast will not grow in an acid environment. I have that appointment tomorrow with a specialist so I will talk to her about all of this.

I have tried using the tampon applicator and the yeast infection medication applicator to get the yogurt up there. It's not easy. the yogurt is thick and the applicator won't suck it up. I try using a baby spoon so shove it into one of the applicators but it's hard to get it out. The latest thing I read was to use a turkey baster!

I bought one at the local dollar store so I will try that next!

Thanks for being willing to help me. It's nice that someone cares enough about all the pain I have been in

ever since I met him. It's not like I have any desire to stay away from him because of all this. I just want to get it figured out and I think there has to be a solution. Maybe the vaseline is it!

I made the Ural a link in my earlier post, so you can read up on it and try to figure out if there is a local equivalent. Basically it is a fizzy drink that apparently helps to clean out your urinary tract. I've used them a lot in the past when I've had a UTI or kidney troubles. It's pretty much like drinking an alka seltzer or soluable asprin - generally better tasting though.

Warning: Make sure you use plain Vaseline, not the mentholated kind!!

I saw the woman urologist and she said using vaseline was a bad idea. She said that it would just seal bacteria in there.

She wants to do thousands of dollars worth of tests. She wants to look inside my bladder and for me to have a cat scan. She wasn't happy that the urologist I see now just gives me anti biotics and hasn't done any tests.

Oh... well sorry about the bad advice. At least my theory about the vaseline providing a seal was sound. I guess I was figuring that you would do that from a state of having gotten rid of the last UTI, so sealing out new bacteria from entering. I didn't think about the residual bacterias that might be sealed inside. Good luck and I hope you find the answer, Denise!

Thanks Fanny. I know you were trying to help and I appreciate that.

She said we always have bacteria on our body. Why mine get out of control is a mystery to me. All I can say is I really hate this.

I have a friend who was prone to getting UTIs after sex. She even got one after using her brand new dildo. She is now kind of off sexual activities......

I get thrush almost every time, but for me its psychological. I don't 'allow' myself to be properly prepared for entry, if you get my drift. Basically, it all happens when I'm still too dry. Haven't had sex in over 2 years (yes I have a partner), and to be honest, I don't miss it at all.

Have you thought about changing positions? The one you use most might be causing some kind of irritation, too much pressure to the area, whatever. Sorry I'm not more help.

oh yeah, it doesn't seem to matter which position. I am using vaginal estrogen cream. Both urologists seem to think

my problem is from the skin thinning due to menopause.

I have actually had this problem most of my life though. I got a lot of UTIs even as a little kid.

I too myself have had uti's lately. I just started having sex in June of this year. I've had 2 uti's in the course of 2 months. I just got done taking levaquin (3 days worth) and it's still not gone. I had to beg my doctor to call in a different antibiotic so that hopefully it will work for me. I don't understand. My mom, aunt, and grandma have always had issues with them and I guess I'm just following right behind them.

For me the only thing that really works for my UTIs besides meds is drinking lots and lots of cranberry juice...not cocktail or cran grape...just cranberry!!! I always works for my UTIs...I don't think I would put yogurt up there, but that's just me...also make sure that you and your partner are good and clean down there BEFORE sex and after...Good luck

I actually take the cranberry pills that Walgreen's have, it seems to help.