Recurrent thrush

[kittykat818]

I’ve been getting thrush almost every month for 3 years (since losing my virginity) I have been on two 6 month courses of fluconazole but it just returns soon after I stop taking the weekly tablets. Me and my boyfriend also make sure we are both treated and are not having sex whilst infected. I have been tested for diabetes, only wear cotton underwear, don’t use soaps down there etc. I have also previously tried the Candida diet but I lost so much weight and the thrush came back again... I am not sure what else I can do now... of course I could go on the fluconazole again but I’m worried about the long term damage this could do If I keep taking it for the rest of my life. I feel so desperate and just want to know what is going wrong in my body. Does anyone have any experience of this or any solutions. For context I am 22 and have been the same boyfriend since I was 19. Please help!

I had recurring thrush for years too. Spent hours online looking for cures! Spent fortune on various cures, supplements And books! I don’t think the current guidelines resolve the problem— I think often I needed longer term treatment.

HowEver since discovering this, I can pretty much keep it at bay
www.boots.com/multi-gyn-actigel-50ml-10137883

I buy it in bulk on amazon. When thrush is active I use daily alongside any other treatment.
I use a medicine syringe rather than the applicator, and normally use 2,5 mls Morning and night. Sometimes I apply 5mls at night, but I find 2,5 is enough without being messy!
Then I reduce dosage to once a day, then every other day, then twice a week, then once a week.

Once thrush is gone, I use just before my period when I am prone to thrush, or when I am a bit sore/dry and I always shower after sex then apply the gel. It’s not the most romantic way to end things, but I do pay for it the next day if I don’t sadly. I also use after swimming and the rare occasion I have a bath (I Try to avoid those to prevent thrush)

It works by keeping the vagina at a PH level that stops the thrush from increasing.

Should add that if thrush is really bad then the gel can sting like hell! The rest of time there is no reaction from it.

Hi @Waterlemon, I’ve tried multigyn before and it did help but I felt like it still appeared quite often. How often do you find you still get thrush while using it?

I’ve also tried coming off the combined pill and going on the mini pill instead - I’m currently not on contraception but I’m still getting thrush. I’ve also tried taking probiotics

My thrush started when I came off the pill at 40, I definitely think it’s hormone related in my case as it was always the week before my period.

It’s not a huge problem for me now if I keep on top of it. The multigyn seems to keep it in control.

The rare time I I get an outbreak I take fluconzole and pessary at same time. (I do know your supposed to use one or other, but I find I need a tougher approach) I may also repeat the dosage 24 or 48 hrs later. Plus the multigyn. But this is maybe once a year - as the multigyn seems to nip it in the bud.

Years ago In my early 20s I had bad thrush, and the gp gave me a course of oral medication and a course of pessary to use at same time, followed by Some sort of gel that I had to use Daily for weeks Afterwards. The gel is no longer made but it led me to the multigyn. I never got thrush again till all these years later.

I also stick with fairy washing powder. I suspect Some trigger it but can’t be certain, particularly Persil