Thrush every time after sex

[M78]

Since last September every time DH and I have sex I end up with a really bad thrush infection the next day or two, which always takes ages to clear. I got DH to apply the Canestren cream on himself as well for a week and he swears he has been doing it, but I am still getting an infection every time we have sex. It is really affecting my sex life as I am so scared of getting it again that I keep finding excuses not to have sex! as this ever happen to anyone? What did you do?

[DrSeuss]

If you get it every time then it's clearly just going back and forth. I'd see a doctor, both of you, and get a proper opinion and some diflucan.

[supadupapupascupa]

this used to happen to me. put loads of cream inside before you have sex and then you know he's getting some - obviously only if you don't use condoms......

[clayre]

Do you use condoms?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

You are both carrying it and/or infecting the other with it - you both need to be treated at the same time.

Get two doses of Diflucan (actually don't, get Boots or Tesco's own version as it's much cheaper!) and make sure you both take that.

Then get your DH to use Canestan cream and I would advise you to get the Canestan pessary and use this in conjunction with the cream.

You could always consider using condoms when you're having sex until you know it's cleared up.

[M78]

Thanks for the replies, I don't use condoms as I find they make me sore. I will try and put on cream before sex and hopefully it will work. I am going to the GP on Monday about something else and I will mention it to him again, even if every time he just tells me to keep putting the cream on!

[BecauseImWorthIt]

You need more than the cream - you need to deal with the internal overgrowth of candida, which is why Diflucan (or equivalent) is important.

[supadupapupascupa]

yes, sort yourself out properly with cream and either pessary or tablet, and use the cream during sex so he gets some.

good luck, it's horrid isn't it?

[FudgeGirl]

An ex tried to buy Canestan over the counter for himself once - and was told they won't dispense it OTC for men, only for women, as in men a possible thrush infection needs further investigation - anyone else heard that?

Does your DP actually have any symptoms himself?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

I've never heard of that, FudgeGirl. And even if her DH doesn't have any symptoms, that doesn't mean he's not carrying it.

Which is why both of them need to treat 'internally' via the Diflucan (and a Canestan pessary for the OP) as well as externally via the cream.

I would suggest that you also avoid sex (unless you're prepared to use a condom) until all obvious symptoms have died down - the Diflucan takes 24 hours to work.

[M78]

I took the Diflucan this morning, I am still really uncomfortable, but hopefully it will get better by tomorrow. I flew back from Italy today, I had to travel with an old pair of tracksuit bottoms and no pants on! This week it was the first time we had sex in nearly a month as I am terrified of getting thrush,but dp told me that he put the cream on every day for 10 days so I thought it was going to be ok, but I was obviously wrong :(

[RamblingRosa]

Is it possible it's not thrush? Definitely worth going to the GP and getting it checked out.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Did your DP take it as well? Cream may not be enough.

You may also need to look at your diet, if it's that bad - how much sugar/alcohol/carbohydrate are you eating? They are all things which encourage candida to grow out of control

[M78]

No DH did not take it, I'll buy some for him tomorrow as well. I thought as well that it might not be thrush as I don't get any discharge ( when before I used to) but GP told me that this sometimes can happen and also the fact that it does clear with Canestan cream and pessaries indicates that it is thrush. My diet is quite good, I am on a low carb diet and I don't drink too much.

[Sufi]

I thought the bloke was supposed to use the cream for 2 weeks, not just 1? This happened to me. I insisted on DH using the cream for a full 2 weeks, and then made him do it for another week to be sure (just in case he'd forgotten). It finally worked - haven't had an attack since. Up until then I'd get it every time we had sex. I also didn't have discharge, but a swab confirmed it was thrush, btw.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

You don't necessarily get a discharge.

What is your dp's diet like?

I think you either need to refrain from sex or use condoms until this is sorted out. How can condoms make you sore?! And how could this be worse than thrush?!

[Naoko]

This was happening to me, despite DP faithfully applying cream. I talked to the pharmacist and she said we should both take the oral tablet as well, not just me. Did that and (knock wood, hope I haven't just jinxed it!) that did clear it right up.

As for condoms making you sore - yeah, that definitely happened to me as well back when I did use them. No idea why, but they did.

[KashaUK]

As a note - semen is a different pH to your vagina, the vagina cannot always adjust fast enough to this altered vaginal pH can trigger off infections - more so if there are already issues with vaginal health. It MIGHT be worth testing pH and trying to adjust it if the infection doesn't clear up after you've both been treated and confirmed as clear.

Cream won't help him - think about where he is supposed to put the cream, unless he fancies putting it up there with a toothbrush (to be blunt) it's gonna be no good. You BOTH need tests, using the cream and the symptoms clearing up isn't enough because it may be a specific yeast infection, it may also be that he is not getting symptoms so testing is required to be sure the infection has cleared.

Normal rules apply; no soaps to wash with (only water), avoid tampons and commercial pads (try menstrual cups, softcups, cloth pads, or at least hypo-allergenic cotton pads and tampons like Cottons), generally keep the area cool and dry. Avoid sex, sugars and alcohol during infections, after infections also try re-introducing healthy vaginal flora with plain pro-biotic yoghurt - OR take lactobacillus acidophilus tablets daily!

[jecc254]

Hi all,same issue about thrush infections,for months now it has been recurring, we decided we play safe but same story also we have been under medication both, what could be the problem he seems fed up with the sama story everytime

[Maddie1988]

Did you ever find a cure, I am having the same problem. Xx

[Millybingbong]

are you sure it is thrush? can often be vaginal dryness masquerading as thrush. this happened to me and I just use a bit of lube when i get a hint of soreness and it has sorted me right out

[Lorri555]

This used to happen to me. A nurse asked me some questions about my cleaning habits and I washed my vaginal area with dove soap when showering. She said you shouldn't use any soap just warm water as soap even gentle soap like dove disrupts the ph balance and making you very susceptible to thrush and intercourse could therefore bring it on

[ApplePear123]

Hi everyone, Yes it can be cured! The answer is to take Fluconazole for 6 months. I moved to a new area and registered with a different doctor who successfully cured it for many women. I had the same problem as the lady who described it for nearly 20 years. I had thrush every time after I had sex. I then used creams and various off the counter drugs and itdid clear it but only until the next time I had sex. I was married for a long time so used condoms but after divorce met other people and also experienced the same problem. Please go to the doctor and ask for this medicine Fluconazole to be taken for 6 months.It was magic and since the treatment I never got the thrush again after sex!

[CANNN]

Hi everyone,
Just can across this from doing some research since I've been dealing with this for a while now and I'm starting to really get over it. What has everyone done to make it completely stop? I've tried changing everything with the whole do this and don't do that and it hasn't worked. Every time me and my partner have sex I always get thrush after it and it's driving me insane. Any advice/information would be greatly appreciated.

[blindmelon123]

@CANNN so this sounds completely mad but Google it and you’ll see I’m not! A peeled garlic clove inserted inside works wonders! Garlic kills yeast, and it’s totally safe and no side effects. I was told to try this by a midwife when pregnant as I didn’t want to use the cream/pessary and it worked! Two nights and it was gone, the most stubborn thrush I’d ever had.

[CANNN]

@blindmelon123 I'll give this a go! Do you leave it in over night? Or just leave it for a few hours? Thank you