hello,

I am a 42 year old woman who after ending a 15 year marriage entered into a new relationship with a 45 year old man. We were both tested beforehand and shared our results for the more well known STIs.. HIV/Hepatitis/Chlamydia/Gonorrhea/Syphillis/Trich. I was tested immediately before while his results were closer to a month old, though he had stated he had not had any sexual encounters for the last several months. After our third episode of unprotected sex, around 4-5 days later, I started experiencing very classic yeast infection symptoms. Thick white discharge, itching and burning. I used over the counter monistat and waited to see what might happen. Symptoms persisted, so around 3 weeks post our sexual encounter I visited my OBGYN who swabbed me for BV/trich/yeast and gave me a diflucan script with 2 pills. I experienced relief literally almost IMMEDIATELY. Within 6 hours, I started to notice the agitation was nearly gone and discharge was almost non existent within a few days. I followed up with the second dose and felt even better. My results came back negative for all three, which confused me about yeast given I felt so much better. Panic got the best of me and I immediately got STD tested again despite being confident about his status. I was tested at a local health department where you do your own sample following directions via swabbing the inside of your vagina for 15 seconds, swabbing the walls, etc.--followed them to a tee. I was negative for Chalmyda, Gonorrhea, syphillis and hepatitis. I calmed down, and my symptoms eventually all went away. I then had sex again with this partner. Again, within around four days my vagina is feeling agitated, itchy, and though I have no discharge, I am getting so frustrated. There are no sores to indicate Herpes or any other issue. Could this be an STI, or my results despite being 3 weeks post exposure were not correct? I am frightened and confused.

Several comments:

1.  The failure of Monistat to resolve your yeast infection is not unusual.  Candida, the fungus that causes these infections is sometimes resistant to Monistat but effectively treated with fluconazole.  

2.  Have confidence in your test results- current tests for STIs are some of the most sensitive tests in all of medicine.  You not only have negative tests but confirm that you are not infected by re-testing

Your recurrent symptoms could have several sources-

? Was your encounter condom protected or did you use a lubricant?  Some persons are allergic to latex (i.e. condoms) or the fragrances and other chemicals in lubricants.

Is your partner un-circumcised?  While unusual, some men have yeast under the foreskin which can lead to recurrent yeast infection.

I hope these initial comments are helpful.  If any part of my comments are unclear, please don't hesitate to follow-up for clarification or additional comments.  The one thing you can be sure of at this time however is that you do not have any of the STIs you tested for.  

I hope this information is helpful.  EWH

Hi Dr. Hook. THANK YOU. I am not typically someone who has trouble believing test results, but these symptoms have just been so frustrating! To answer your questions:

Was your encounter condom protected or did you use a lubricant?  Some persons are allergic to latex (i.e. condoms) or the fragrances and other chemicals in lubricants: No, it was not condom protected, so no issues with the lube. Am trying hard now for my vagina especially to get used to this new partner as I question if that is simply the issue... getting used to a new partner?

Is your partner un-circumcised?  While unusual, some men have yeast under the foreskin which can lead to recurrent yeast infection. He is not, he is circumsized

So, in your opinion, given everything, I should let go of concerns related to chlamydia/gonorrhea/BV/trich as it's more than clear that is not what this is. It is also not presenting as herpes or anything else I have ever learned about. I'm assuming I let this play out but if I keep getting this agitation, I suppose follow up with my doctor.. just VERY frustrating for a good sex life to have continued, unexplained burning and agitation in my vagina!

I would do nor best to move on.  Should the discharge recur, then you might specifically explore the possibility of BV with your doctor.  EWH