Has anyone had recurrent yeast infections that ended up being caused by something unexpected (IUD, hormones, etc.)?

I’m at my wits’ end and looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience.

I’ve been dealing with recurrent yeast infections since around September 2025, at least 2x per month (sometimes more). My symptoms are very consistent: itching, thick white discharge, and external irritation.

Things I’ve had checked/tested:

• Negative for diabetes (just had my annual physical and labs)
• Negative for BV
• Negative for trichomonas
• Negative for chlamydia and gonorrhea
• November vaginal PCR panel showed Candida albicans positive and all other Candida species negative (including Candida glabrata)
• Recent Pap smear was normal (negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy) but noted Candida organisms present
• High-risk HPV positive (currently waiting on colposcopy biopsy results, though I know that’s likely unrelated to the yeast infections)

Treatments I’ve tried:

• Multiple antifungal treatments over the past several months (Fluconazole, Terconazole)
• Maintenance boric acid
• Loose cotton clothing/underwear
• General lifestyle changes recommended by my gynecologist

Relevant background:

• Mirena IUD inserted August 2021
• Full laser hair removal in the area since 2023 (& always shaven before then)
• My gynecologist thinks the laser hair removal may be contributing because there is no hair barrier, but she does not think the IUD is related (although I did have an urgent care Dr think it might be the IUD.)

I know correlation doesn’t equal causation, but a friend of mine had recurrent yeast infections for months, removed her IUD, and never had another infection again. That got me wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Has anyone had recurrent Candida albicans infections that eventually turned out to be related to:

• An IUD?
• Hormonal changes?
• Laser hair removal?
• Something else entirely?

And if you found the cause, what finally helped?

I’ve been experiencing a lot of push back as well when I go to the gyno and I am feeling very unheard.