Bubble bath and thrush

[frogspoon]

I have recently had several recurrent episodes of thrush. After several treatments (canesten pills, pessaries and cream) I think I have finally managed to get rid of it.

I know that certain things can trigger thrush, in particular fragranced toiletries. I don't use alot of fragranced products, but am partial to the occasional bubble bath to help me relax after a stressful day at work (teacher).

As I seem to have a tendency to thrush, and am anxious not to get it again, am I going to need to cut out the bubble baths? Are there any unfragranced bath products that I could use safely without increasing the risk of getting thrush?

I'm not sure but if you really wanted bubble bath then you could try Lush. All their products are natural and you dont need much of them.

I put lavender oil in the bath.

Anything chemical in your bath could trigger-off further yeast infections - it's not about the fragrance (although 'fragrance' adds a couple hundred extra chemicals) but the chemical ingredients potentially throwing-off natural pH balance and potentially killing-off 'good' bacteria that keep yeast under control. Same goes for 'natural' products like those from Lush, and things like soaps, shampoos, etc. - try to avoid washing your hair until the end of the bath, also of course don't use soap on your genitals and rinse genitals well at the end of the bath.

Try bubble baths and see if they are going to be a problem for you, otherwise experiment with other things like essential oils, or I particularly like oatmeal - pop oatmeal in a cloth bag over the tap, it's very good for skin, also you can use the bag like a puff over your skin or squeeze the bag for an oatmeal paste that's a mess-free face mask.

Follow usual 'rules' - water only to clean genitals, dry well, wear white cotton underwear, avoid sugars (low-carb or pH diets can help), avoid tampons, avoid commercial sanitary pads, avoid wearing liners daily, avoid tight-fitting or synthetic clothing, avoid sitting down for long periods of time, and maybe consider switching to organic toilet paper or family wipes.

I use Sanex bubble bath and find it does not irritate.

Thanks this info is v helpful, especially all the "rules" from kasha.

I already have stopped using anything but water to clean down there, always wear pure cotton undies (does the colour make a difference?) and don't wear liners daily, although I do wear nylon tights every weekday, might this make a difference?

I don't use tampons frequently, although as regular sanitary pads tend to irritate I tend to wear them for a bit of relief. So if I shouldn't be wearing tampons or commercial sanitary pads, what should I wear? I don't like the idea of the moon cup as I bleed very heavily and am scared of spilling the cup and getting the blood on myself or the floor, and I don't want to wear reusable cotton pads as I don't want to have to carry around a smelly bloody towel for hours in my bag.

Unfortunately the thrush seems to have made another reappearance, so probably going to head back to the dr.

The odd little thing isn't going to be a huge issue, it's just 'best practice' - e.g. as my doctor once put it, ideally women should walk round every day in skirts and no underwear, but that's just not practical! Oh, and in terms of underwear colour, it's just about avoiding dyes.

Sanitary products:
You're limited if you rule-out cloth pads or menstrual cups (FYI cups make heavy flow a million times easier to manage, and you empty into the toilet...not sure how you think you'd get anything on you or the floor, unless you plan to start waving the thing round your head! lol). You could use sponges, softcups, diaphragms, soft tampons or organic cotton tampons and pads - although tampons are best avoided, there is a HUGE difference health-wise between commercial and organic cotton tampons.

If you don't already - take vitamin C and acidophilus tablets.