Embarrassing issue

[DoNotDisturbPlease]

I keep getting thrush and BV

I'm a size 18 and aware I could be at risk of type 2 diabetes. I only have this as a symptom though. Doctor wont check for diabetes and just keeps telling me to use over the counter medicines which cost a shit load and dont really work. I did get 1 course of anti biotics but it has come back since then. I'm exasperated. I do everything else right, I stopped using panty liners, condoms and shower gel down there. I now just use canesten wash. I started eating yogurt every day. I dont know what else to do. Help!

I had this, for over a year, and it just never got better...…

……until

I started using Replens Vaginal Moisturiser, every day, for a fortnight.

It hasn't got anything in it which treats thrush but keeping everything properly moisturised alters the acid/alkaline balance for the better.

Are you approaching the menopause? You may be deficient in oestrogen if so.

Give it a go. The relief I felt, after a year of pessaries, creams and anti-fungal capsules was astounding.

I still use it once a week, to keep things at bay. My GP prescribed it for me but you can but it OTC.

Also how significantly overweight are you and what is your age? I take probiotics with good bacteria in from holland and barrett because I had oral thrush from antibiotics and it worked a dream after I tried lots of anti thrush medications.

I had this problem and my GP was useless. In desperation I went to the local STD clinic and they were brilliant, they treated me and I never looked back.

I second the probiotics recommendation - I had part of my pancreas and spleen removed which means I can’t process sugar as well anymore, and am really susceptible to infections. Kept getting thrush when I ate sugar; so have cut sugar down and now take optibac extra strength probiotics - no issues since. Works out at about £15 a month if you can find them on a deal :)

Also had recurrent BV for three years while I had a mirenacoil - cleared up once had that removed - could that be affecting?

Go to the STD clinic and ask them if they will test for diabetes when your there. If they wont or cant then go back to the G.P and tell them you want the test doing otherwise your going to put in a formal complaint. They will test you I'm sure of it.
Anyone can get a test at ours, you just have to make an appointment with the nurse.
Are you in the U.K OP? Absolutely shocking level of care from the G.P

I am also prone to thrush and I realised that I have to be careful which shower gel I use. I found one where the ph must be right for me and was gutted they discontinued it. Took me a while to find another one that was right.
Other tips - wash your knickers at 60°, don’t wear any at night. I sometimes find a warm (not hot) bath helps when it’s bad. And as everyone else said you need to get your husband clear too

I’ve had to have a week long course of antibiotics to clear up persistent thrush more than once. Bizarrely what seems to keep it under control is the over the counter cystitis sachets which I take at the first twinge now. I have subsequently been diagnosed with sebhorreic dermatitis (mostly on my face) which is basically when your skin over-reacts to normal bacteria which I suspect is why I’m susceptible to thrush. Apart from one the GPs I’ve seen have been useless.

Thrush is a fungal infection and needs treating with a fungicide like Canesten. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and will be completely useless against thrush. In fact antibiotics can cause thrush as they disturb the natural flora in your gut and on your skin.

Hi - I had persistent thrush and an overweight woman I had to bed my GP for a diabetes test. I am diabetic.

Lloydspharmacy do the test for free

Hi,
I have had the caneston internal cream and external it's not cheap but as a combination it works however my Dr recently told me you should really be using the external cream for 3 weeks to make sure the infection is gone otherwise it can come back

@JohnsPrincess

I had to bed my GP for a diabetes test

Try a warm bath with salt in. I was suffering from thrush and athletes foot ( lucky me) and noticed both improved after a holiday with a salt water pool. I had a week of baths with several spoonfuls of cheap table salt in (think sea strength saltiness) and months of problems have been permanently solved. I was using multi-gyn gel which I found gave some serious relief previously so that may well have contributed to clearing it up. www.boots.com/multi-gyn-actigel-50ml-10137883?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs--(GB:Whoop!)+Multi-Gyn-_-(GB:Whoop!)+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Health+and+Pharmacy+-+Mobile&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_r3nBRDxARIsAJljleFt8XAAPkMRc5NHk0jXdrMTPm83LL9iP8y-84fPhjrDWdisa7rtICMaAlHcEALw_wcB
Good luck OP

I had persistent thrush for a couple of years and was also buying the tablets and treating both myself and my husband. My Gp eventually prescribed an intensive course of canesten over a couple of months and I've not had it for 18 months. I also stopped wearing pants with my PJ at night to help keep it away.

I was also worried about diabetes as my brother had a lot of thrush before his diagnosis and I'm overweight and had gestational diabetes in my last pregnancy. My Gp did a blood test after I requested it and luckily it came back negative which was such a relief as I was convinced I had it but had been silently worrying about it and not pushing to get the test. Push for the test, you can then know what's what

I itched terribly every month and went through tubes of Canesten.

I hate to say it OP, but you know what stopped it? I changed my diet and lost weight. Never had it since.

you are obese and your GP has refused a DM check? that sounds very unlikely.

I had thrush in pregnancy that didn't go away until after the baby was born but I also had the same on the pill. You're not using a hormonal contraceptive are you?

The anti fungal oral tablet cleared it up after spending ages faffing with natural remedies including yoghurt, diet etc and since then have been clear.Ive tried to keep up the following which seems to have worked

Sleeping naked / with no bottoms
Cotton knickers
Washing underwear and towels on 60 degrees
Not wearing tights if possible
Changing out of gym clothes straight away
Washing with aqueous cream
Try to avoid stress( easier said than done!)

I’m not convinced by the diet stuff as I think it is ( for me at least) triggered by stress and the non- breathable clothing.

Tell your G.P that you want a Diflucan tablet OP. One for you and one for your DH. This treats the thrush from within.
I used to be driven mad with it until i got prescribed that. One tablet is all you need.
I don't want to sound personal but a lot of times, if your DH has asthma and uses inhalers, this can also trigger thrush if he gives oral. Not many people realise this, or, if you are the one using inhalers then give oral, it can cause thrush in him, which is then transferred back to you.
Don't use bubble bath or any other scented bath products, and don't use anything but plain water around your groin area. Also, try to use a mild laundry detergent such as Fairy on your underwear and a sensitive fabric conditioner if you must use one.
Cotton undies are a huge help too. Where possible, try not to wear knickers or p.j bottoms in bed.
Natural live yoghurt applied to the area helps to heal and soothe as does a tampon dipped into the same and applied. Only put the yoghurt on the end of it though rather than dipping the entire tampon into a pot of it.
Hope this helps.

Tell your G.P that you want a Diflucan tablet OP

fluconazole can be bought otc

Why won't the Doctor give you a diabetes test? I have recently started a thread on the same issue - re occurring thrush. I've had it 7 times this year so far. Doctors couldn't have been more helpful. I got full blood check for diabetes, kidneys, thyroid, liver, white blood cells and it all came back negative. So my treatment is a 6 month course of Fluconazole oral thrush tablet.
Go back to your doctors and demand a full investigation/bloods taken. Diabetes was the first thing they said to me that might have been causing it.
I also drank the probiotics drinks - Actimel but not sure if they have helped or not as I'm now on Fluconazole once a week.

Cream I find is hopeless. Get the flucanazole tablet. Canestan branded is about £14, but you can get online from eg Chemist4U unbranded for a couple of quid.

Doctor should do something about recurring thrush though.

Wow so many helpful replies thank you.

To answer some questions and apologies if I've missed any

I've seen a different GP every time and nurses and a paramedic who covers emergency GP appointments at our surgery (our doctors is spread over 3 sites so you always see different people) I am healthy but fat - my toddler means that people just write me off as "just had a baby" and havent taken the thrush/BV thing that seriously. I will be a bit more clear this time about not wanting to just get treated for the thrush/BV only. I need to know if theres anything underlying. I've had low blood pressure my whole life and no diabeties in pregnancy so they just think I'm fine!!

We were using condoms but stopped that because I thought it was those that were upsetting my fanny. So not on any contraception. I cant take any pills as they give me depression and I dont like the idea of a coil. We're just careful and wouldn't mind if we did accidentally get pregnant so that's ok.

Definitely sounds like I could have diabetes so I need to face up to that. Could be the kick I need to sort my diet and lifestyle out.

I'm 5'9" but 17 stone size 18 but always get told I carry it well. So unless a doc weighed me they'd probably think I was lighter IFSWIM.

Condoms, even latex free ones can cause a flare up of thrush yes, OP.
You can buy Clotrimazole cream ( Canesten ) from Pharmacies much cheaper than Canestan, although generally it is 1% as opposed to Canesten 2%.
We will ask you when the last time you used it was, as we're wary of it being used too often, however just say its for your athletes foot.
As someone up thread said, warm salt water baths are also relieving.

I have recently had a baby too OP, 5 months ago. My friend who has not long had a baby is also getting thrush often, and she never gets it. I've told her to go to GP. So I do think it's pregnancy related, hormones.