Regarding Yeast infection, would having sex often without condom [leaving semen in vagina] contribute to prevention of yeast infection, or is it irrelevant?

We need a resident gynecologist here!

Yeast is always present in a womans vagina.  Abundance of yeast can be caused by tight clothing.  I'd try wearing cotton panties when you can and avoid tight pants.  

Semen in the vagina will not prevent a yeast infection.  There are quite a few good sites that deal with these types of questions and local clinics you can call as well.

In an earlier post, I speak about the pH level in a vagina being low to help guard against infection.  I also point out that semen has a very high pH (that's why the bleach-like smell) to protect sperm from the hostile vaginal environment.  It stands to reason, therefore, that the continued presence of semen in the vagina would raise the pH, and open the door to infection.  Yeast, being ever-present, would be one of the first organisms to take hold.

nearly all of us carry several strains if this bacterium in our digestive tracts, and (about half of us, anyway) in their vaginas.  Colonization by this bacteria results in eventual immunity.  So, if you're offering DATY to a gentleman, especially one who does this kind of thing a lot, chances are all you're going to give him are delightful memories.

Babies do not inherit their mother's immunity until they begin to breast feed, so if they're exposed during birth, they can develop the conditions you cite in your post.

This bacterium doesn't respond real well to oral courses of antibiotics.  Intervenous administration is preferred.

AIM didn't answer anyones questions anyways.

> We need a resident gynecologist here!

thanks to the web, now we can all play gynecologist (double entendre intended)

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupbstrep_g.htm

strangely, www.groupbstrep.org is down

Loverofwomen,

Actually, your earlier posting triggered mine.  I concluded from yours that semen actually contributes to the cases of women getting yeast infection ... this had a whiff of nature working in an "unnatural" way ... thus my email to "reset" this issue.  I am trusting you are right though.

-- Modified on 5/24/2003 2:13:30 PM

That you were diagnosed with GBS correctly? From what the CDC says, only pregnant women, or the elderly, or someone whose immune system is seriously compromised, usually comes up with this disease... Maybe I'm reading it wrong???  

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupbstrep_g.htm

Hugs*
Nicole