Could this be thrush?

[IwishIwasmoresparkly]

and apologies for tmi.

For the past few days I've been having a lot more vaginal discharge than usual. It's a creamy, slightly mucky colour and smells kind of sweet. I'm not in any discomfort at all.

Could this be thrush? If so I'll get an otc treatment tomorrow.

Anyone?

I'm not sure at all after reading a few sites that came up on my Google search.

Is the affected area itchy? Does the discharge have a slightly clotted appearance?

May be worth having a private word with a pharmacist, they'll point you in the right direction.

I'm not at all itchy, and the discharge just seem runny

I've always found (when I've had thrush) that I've become sore, itchy and uncomfortable.

Only one way to ask this, but you haven't left a tampon in by any chance? It does happen, and could account for your ongoing symptoms.

I would recommend a visit to your gp though. If it's not thrush, then they can take a swab and find out exactly what it is.

The rule with discharge is- if it doesn't smell yucky, cause you pain, discomfort or itching, then leave it alone.

Discharge varies hugely throughout the month in every woman, so you might simply be experiencing something which is new for you, but doesn't mean you have anything wrong.

TBH the only way to be sure is either have a swab, or take a tablet for thrush such as Diflucan- OTC- and if it works, then you have had thrush and it's gone!

I had something like this - tests for BV/ thrush came back negative but dr suggested using balanceactiv anyway (primarily a treatment for bv) it sorted it out. The issue I had was an excess (eg had to wear a pad) it was definitely not normal!

Btw if you treat thrush and it isnt then it will make any imbalance worse (I speak from experience!). Swabs are also not always conclusive according to my GP.

There's definitely no tampon left in as I use a mooncup.

It seems a little easier today, but I'm still needing to wear a pantyliner. I'm not sore or itchy and it's not horrible smelling so I'm not going to treat myself for thrush in case I make it worse - thanks for that!

I knew I'd make more sense of it with MN help than Google!

Don't treat for thrush unless you know that's what it is - I too know from experience this can make it worse!

There's a product called acijel which used to be sold in the UK but the NHS stopped funding it so the drug company that makes it stopped selling it here. Grrr. You can still buy it from Australian/New Zealand websites (it's still sold there). It's a vaginal acidity regulator. Just a gel (it's not a medication) that you use twice a day. I find it helps enormously - I always get "odd" discharge after thrush, even when the thrush has been treated and nothing else is wrong (according to multiple swab tests by the GP). Waaay TMI but if your discharge doesn't return to normal, you may want to try it.

You could always try the old trick of some plain live yogurt in your fanjo? It's supposed to bring everything back into balance.

Treating for thrush would def make things worse.... will keep my fingers crossed that it all resolves quickly for you

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas.

It seems a bit better again today - just as well really as we're off on holiday tomorrow for a week and the first available Drs appt was Wednesday or Thursday for a female GP (the receptionist didn't consider me worthy of an emergency appt when I called as soon as they opened this morning!).

If it gets worse while we're away I'll get some live yoghurt - how do you apply it though?!

I use an applicator tampon & tube to apply it, but I have heard of different ways. I suppose it depends on where you want the yogurt applied.

I pull the tampon further back into the tube, stick some yogurt in the gap at the top of the tube....and apply.