The technique described below is suggested strictly for transsexual women (post-operative male-to-female) only. Natal women who have had their wombs removed should discuss this technique with their gynaecologists BEFORE attempting to use this technique. Failure to do so WILL lead to serious, probably fatal, medical problems. Natal women with intact wombs should NEVER consider using this technique!
A yeast infection is a major nuisance for natal women (i.e. the so-called
woman-born-woman.) It is also a major nuisance for some transsexual women.
There are the usual techniques of dealing with the yeast infection. However,
for the transsexual women whose vagina is longer than average (6 inches or
longer) the yeast infection can be a very major problem.
One usual treatment is an anti-fungal designed to treat vaginal yeast
infections. One such product is Monistat 7 Combo Pak. For most women, including
transsexual women, these products work. However, for the transsexual women who
has the longer vagina, a major problem occurs.
For example, my vagina is 6-1/2 inches deep. The Monistat applicator is about 5
inches long. As a result the top 1-1/2 inches of my vagina are not properly
treated when I use the usual techniques.
This problem also arises when one tries to douche the vagina. If one uses a
standard douche syringe, which typically is about 5 inches long, one fails to
reach the top end of a long vagina.
As a consequence of the "short" applicator and douche syringe, a yeast
infection may not be properly treated. This occurred to me and I had a
persistent (4 month) yeast problem. One needs a means of dealing with the yeast
that inhabits the upper end of the long vagina. I propose the following
solution, which I have found effective.
First, I fashioned a new "douche syringe" that can reach the full length of my
vagina. To do this, I purchased a replacement showerhead hose, complete with
fittings both ends. (I used a BrassCraft model BC9231 Shower Hose (96 in.
length).) The end that attaches to the showerhead was cut off and the end of
the hose was suitable sanded and filed to de-burr the end of the hose. To use
this new "douche syringe", one disconnects the existing showerhead hose,
connects the douche hose, adjusts the water temperature and flow rate and then
carefully inserts the end of the hose into the vagina as far as it will go. (I
added a flow control valve to the showerhead fixture to eliminate the need of
removing the shower head.)
Second, upon the recommendation of my gynaecologist, I started using
acidophilus capsules, placed directly into the vagina. The acidophilus bacteria
grow within the vagina, altering the pH level to a point where yeast cannot
survive. (I have used a product called "Fem-Dophilus", which has worked well.
This product is manufactured by Jarrow Formulations, Inc. in Los Angeles,
CA.)
My usual vaginal hygiene regimen is: weekly, following my weekly dilation
period, I use my new douche syringe to flush out my vagina, and then insert an
acidophilus capsule. The acidophilus bacteria are just as effective as yeast in
spreading to the top of the vagina, even though the applicator is the typical
five inches long. I tested its staying power - for me it was nine days between
applications before the yeast re-appears.
Another product that my gynaecologist suggested is a boric acid suppository,
instead of the acidophilus capsules. I have not yet tried this product. I have
found the acidophilus effective at controlling the yeast.
A third suggestion from my gynaecologist, although not strongly recommended
since it is messy, is the yoghurt method. Two tablespoons of unsweetened,
unflavoured yoghurt with active acidophilus culture are inserted into the
vagina. Some women swear by this technique.
A technique that I have developed for using Monistat, with the too-short
applicator, is to insert the suppository using the applicator and to use one of
my dilators to push the suppository the remainder of the distance.
I hope that my commentary here helps you.
Cassie
P.S.: I am NOT medically trained. I am an electrical engineer who has worked up this solution to a very personal problem. Discussions with my family doctor and my gynaecologist have not revealed any major problems with the technique. However, I strongly recommend that you discuss this technique with your doctor or gynaecologist before using the technique.
3 February 2008
I had been using the flushing-water douche, as described above, for a few years now. However, I had believed (even known) that the problem I was addressing was not yeast. The actual problem that I was treating was a skin sloughing within my vagina.
What was causing the sloughing? Initially (before the flushing-water douches), there was something causing the sloughing. What, I don't know. However, a suspicion was that my douches were leading to the sustained problem. So, at the start of January 2008, I decided to try going without the douches, except at my dilation episodes, which is now each third Sunday morning.
After the first missed douche, the sloughed skin irritation arose again. I used a washed finger to clear out the debris from the lower end of my vagina. There was a significant amount of debris, but I was able to clear out enough that the irritation died off. By the time of my next dilation episode (three weeks later on January 27), there had been no further irritation in the vagina.
On the second day after the last dilation episode, I had some minor irritation, which was dealt with with a washed finger. There was a lot less debris this time. That appears to be all of vaginal irritation there will be until my next dilation period on February 15.
The "moral" of this entry is that one needs to be sure that one is treating a yeast problem, and not a created problem.
The technique described above is suggested strictly for transsexual women (post-operative male-to-female) only. Natal women who have had their wombs removed should discuss this technique with their gynaecologists BEFORE attempting to use this technique. Failure to do so WILL lead to serious, probably fatal, medical problems. Natal women with intact wombs should NEVER consider using this technique!
Last Updated: 22 March 2009 (site moved to new server)