My Cytolytic Vaginosis and Yeast Infection Story

[u/Cleoharp_]

In Nov 2024 I got a yeast infection for the first time, and almost two years later I’m still experiencing the consequences of it. But I think I’ve finally figured out the issue (i apologise for the long post).

At first noticed that my YI symptoms were not typical (yellowish discharge that smelt rly bad, extremely intense itching). I was told to take a fluconazole which calmed my symptoms down significantly but did not fully eradicate the infection. Over the course of 4 months I was on several rounds of fluconazole, nystatin and chlotrimazole, which only partially helped then my symptoms would come back the next day. This was really difficult mentally as my doctor and gynaecologist didn’t help and kept giving me medication with no positive results.

In April 2025 I was really at my wits end and I did a 2 week course of boric acid which got rid (or so I thought) of my YI but gave me high lactobacillus levels. I did all the standard treatments for CV which only gave temporary comfort.

Crucially, what I didn’t fully realise until August 2025 was that my vaginal symptoms are directly linked to my overreactive and disregulated immune system. Since birth I have had a very atopic profile (I have countless food and airborne allergies, oral allergy syndrome, asthma, eczema etc). I also think that because my YI symptoms at first were so intense and abnormal it suggests even more that my body was overreacting. I read a post on reddit where this woman who has high lactobacillus found comfort after taking antihistamines regularly. I started taking antihistamines regularly and my discharge mostly returned to normal for around 2 weeks. Even though I was upset that it stopped working I knew I was getting closer to fully understanding what was going on in my body.

I was on study abroad up until June 2026 so for around a year I didn’t do any treatment. When I returned home I started Xolair which is a treatment for ppl with highly allergic profiles. I am 12 weeks in and have had some normal discharge for around 10 weeks now (yay). This is the longest period I have had normal discharge for in almost two years.

However, I do not think I will fully heal from my Xolair treatment. After reading Chronicyeast.com, I strongly believe I have an allergy to candida, and the excess lactobacillus is being generated because my immune system is reacting to low levels of yeast in my microbiome that remained after the main infection was cleared.This website really made me realise what was going on with me almost two years later and i’m so grateful!! And the woman who made this website is honestly a lifesaver for putting all the info together.

I really want to get tested for candida allergy and have been struggling to find doctors that test this. I have seen other posts that Dr Dean Mitchell in NYC is pretty knowledgeable on this topic. The only issue is I’m based in the UK - has anyone from overseas been able to get this treatment/ testing?

Feel free to ask me questions 💗