It seems to have been exacerbated from sexual activity/antibiotics/and a new lube. Since I am uninsured I am unable to call up a gyn for any pharmaceuticals by prescription. And there are a million to choose from!
Is there an over-the-counter that you ladies could recommend to use on the inside/outside?
Note that I'm itchy on the external labia only- no discharge at all.
I'm not looking for homemade suggestions such as tampons soaked in yogurt or anything like that.
Hey guys, one little remark, a lot of people seem to mess up a yeast infection with a fungal infection. While both occur when your bacterial flora is messed up, they're not the same.
(Especially since MR is on antibiotics - fungal infections are a very common "side-effect" - candida infections are especially common).
Yeast infections are usually somewhat "lighter" and occur more easily, less related to antibiotics use. Hormonal imbalances can sometimes trigger yeast proliferation too.
If it is a yeast infection and you're itchy on the external labia only, what could help is just hydrate the area. (This is not an evidence-based approach but in practice often has effect, it just hasn't been researched). Use some hypoallergenic, non-perfumed hydrating cream - the same kind you would use on your skin after a bath (only the outer labia though, if you're itching on the inside as well, those creams don't have the right pH). Aside from that, try to wear cotton panties without pantyliners. At night, don't wear panties if you can keep from scratching. If you can't, keep them on but use cotton ones - they "breathe" more.
The problem might last as long as you need to take those antibiotics. They mess up your bacterial balance giving the yeast cells and fungi a higher chance to proliferate.
When you're itching on the inside too, you will need an antimycotic creme. Gyno-daktarin and canestene are OTC on the Belgian market but I don't know if it's OTC in the USA? Any gyn-creme that has miconazole nitrate or clotrimazole would be your best bet then (I believe those are the active substance best researched/most deemed safe-to-use).
That is... if I remembered it all correctly from my course. I will look it up when I have the chance (course isn't within my reach right now). Hope this has helped some!
Edit: Gyno-daktarin and canestene are NOT homeopathic, they are actual active substances with evidence-based effectiveness. Active substances always have (per definition) a chance of side-effects. You're right in hesitating to put any stress on your womanly parts if it isn't really necessarily given what you've been through recently. I would suggest trying to hydrate first. It should sooth the itching and speed up the natural healing process, even if your bacterial flora is a bit messed up right now...
Best of luck!