Sexuality Happens

This is a question I got in my email from a reader, and my answer. I’d love to hear other people’s ideas, experiences, suggestions, etc.

-Essin’ Em

I started following your blog this year and really love the stuff you post.  I’ve asked this question to a few people who I would think know a grounded answer, such as my school’s Sexual Information Center staffers and the staff at my school’s Student Health Center, but I think the first just didn’t have enough background knowledge and the second actually tried to make me feel stupid, asking if the lubricant I used was food when I specified and repeated that it was meant for sex.  I also asked a few friends, but they all came up blank.  Anyhow, I was back on your site and remembered that you work as a Sex Educator and seem lovely and smart and are maybe more knowledgeable on the subject matter.

So, my question….I had a vaginal yeast infection a few weeks ago, which is all cleared up (I did a follow-up appointment and everything, cuz I was slightly paranoid). My favorite lube is Probe, which has vegetable glycerin and I was wondering whether or not I should continue to use it.  I’d been using Probe for months before I got my yeast infection and hadn’t had any problems.  When I was diagnosed at a Planned Parenthood, I apparently had one of the mutant strains that’s more resistant to OTC treatment and home remedies and also presents differently, which they think is why I didn’t know I had one until it got really bad (my main symptom was dryness and I barely had any discharge until I was seen).  They think it could have possibly started in January when I went on antibiotics after I had my wisdom teeth extracted even though I was taking an acidophilus supplement and eating yogurt.  Damn mutant yeast.  Also, the two glycerin-free lubes I’ve tried since, Pink Water and H20 both make me sting, which is weird and concerning.  Nothing on either bottle says that there should be any sort of “warming sensation”–which I avoid because I think it’s a little weird on it’s own.  Advice? The lubes that sting me are getting chucked or given away, cuz I don’t trust them.

Sorry for the super long email.  Good luck with the blog!  Also, you can feel free to post this as a question from a reader on your blog to get a survey answer.

Me:

Odd answer for you, but have you had them check you for bacterial vaginosis?  Because I’ve had that before (right after a yeast infection, so it didn’t get diagnosed), and I had similar symptoms of burning/stinging/warming with my favorite lubes…but no itching or fish smell (usually present with BV). However, once they tested me, they found out I had it.  It’s happened now a total of 3 times…they have no idea why, but I don’t get the normal symptoms, but have the lube issue, and when I get tested, I have had BV. BV is one of those weird things you can get randomly, even if you’re not having sex, and sometimes can be a pain in the cunt to get rid of.
 
Otherwise, I’d try something organic (like sliquids organic) or more gel like and still glycerin free (like Maximus).
 
I hope that advice helps…