Thrush

[EnlightenedOwl]

Never had thrush before but had three recurrent bouts and just worked out its started happening at ovulation time. It responds to over the counter tablets.
My question is do I need to see the GP given I know what it is and that it responds to treatment
Next question is what will the GP do. Will they want to examine me as I am not comfortable with that.
Many thanks

IME the GP will only prescribe AB's so if the stuff you're buying works then don't bother. If you did go then they would want to examine you to check that it is thrush but I find it's pretty obvious without having somebody else confirming it for you.

Two women I know just keep a tube of canestan handy. Treatment is easily available, though pricey.
Second time in few days I'm recommending Biofem Actigel. It restores the natural flora of the vagina and vulva.

Just been looking at the Actigel. It just seems a waste of doc's time given it responds to the treatment and I know what is causing it.

They wouldn't give ABs for thrush as it is fungal not bacterial.

I've been taking the flucanzole (sp?) tablet which settles it. Just worked out this morning its ovulation as I always get a bit of discomfort at that time and then that seems to be triggering this.

More than two bouts in six months is a reason to visit the GP although I'd probably experiment a bit more if I were you before going to visit. Can you see if you can prevent an attack now you know it's happening around ov time, by making sure you go commando or similar? (Can't actually imagine this as ovulation time if I'm honest).

How old are you OP, if you don't mind me asking? My discomfort came when a new relationship and a significant age/period in a woman's life coincided.

Hi don't mind at all - 41.

I think what I will do is try a probiotic or simiar around that time now I've noticed the link and see if that helps and if all fails will go to GP just for peace of mind? Already feeling much more comfortable having taken the flucanazole

Are you doing the obvious in terms of unscented shower gel, cotton knicks, fresh air to the nethers (i.e. no tights)?

yep did all that. And then today the penny dropped its just after ovulation which makes sense. At least I know why its happening and got on top of it straight away today and its feeling much better.

Although it settled over the weekend woken up this morning with itching again. I have been on the internet and I genuinely didn't know that thrush can be a sign of diabetes. I've previously had high blood sugars identified on blood tests so I need to go the docs and get this checked out.

What a pain, literally. But yes, doctor time. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks got a doc's appointment for Monday just hope he doesn't want to look at my itchy bits. That will be an ordeal but I can't just ignore it in case something is going on.

Sounds like diabetes is a better avenue of investigation, although I guess tragically the doc may want to have a swab in case whatever you have is only mimicking the symptoms of thrush.

How are you feeling now, is the itchiness under control?

Thanks for replies. Keeping the itch at bay with Lanacaine which is doing the job and meaning I can sleep at least. I really hope I'm not looking for things now but I've had awful headaches this last couple of days and wondering if this could all be related. I shall mention it anyway. Poor dr this is his first appt of the day!

Better first thing than last thing! My GP gets me to come in late in the day because the actual content of the appointment lasts for 10 seconds ("are you drinking?" "no" "good") and then we can move on to bitching about the NHS. As he knows there will never be anything taxing it rounds the day off without producing 45 mins of paperwork for him to do after 7pm.

Wow. So glad I went to the GP today.

He was really good. He thought the symptoms I listed didn't sound like typical thrush to him. He wondered if it was some form of contact dermatitis (involving my undercarriage!)
So as a start off prescribed Canesten HC and I've put that on and feel so much more comfortable already!
He said if it is that then something is triggering it and I am wondering if it is sanitary towels/liners so am going to change to hypoallergenic to see if that helps
finally he said he didn't think there was anything sinister going on in terms of diabetes he said my HBAC1 test was fine and he thought the high glucose reading I had could probably be explained away but I was right to raise the issue.
Of course I can go back if things don't improve but feel very much relieved tonight!
Also lesson learned. No more faffing about if things don't settle at all or trying to guess what the problem is myself - will go and get some medical advice sooner next time!

Excellent, hope that's it sorted.