What can cure chronic yeast infections?

I'm 44 and have had chronic vaginal yeast infections since I was 17. I'm convinced candida is the reason my immune system is totally worn down and I'm always sick.

My doctor has prescribed Diflucan, which I use once a month, but I don't like to use it all of the time, because I heard it's bad for my liver. I eat yogurt and use Monistat, though.

I went to the health food store and bought a candida destroyer, but I'm not getting any better and I need help.

When I used to use a vaginal cream or suppositoru it would go away for awhile but then come back when I had sexual relations with my husband. I also got it from having oral sex together. He's been treated, too. It just never goes away for me.

A: Dr. Dean: Recurrent yeast infections in a woman is not unusual. It requires the special care of a gynecologist who is willing to consider all of the alternatives.

When using medications, the best way to treat a yeast infection is to use the medication directly where the infection is. Now, you said when you use medication, it goes away, so we know we can cure it, but it comes back again.

When it comes back, it's coming from some place. Oral sex is probably the most common, under-reported cause. We used to think that things like certain types of tight clothing, the acid-based balance inside of a woman's body or diabetes could be possible causes.

Yeast can come from the colon, and it can come from his mouth. I would suggest to stop the cycle he can treat it orally - taking a pill is not going to do much - but he can see a doctor for an oral rinse to treat the yeast in his mouth.

He can also use a dental dam or you can even stop ora! l sex for a while to see if we can't get this under control. And instead of just eating the yogurt, try using live yogurt as a douche.

Dean Edell, M.D.