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Original poster

Thrush that keeps coming back, very desperate

52 replies

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 19:16

Hi everyone, I am really needing some advice. I have been getting thrush ever since starting to have sex. I got thrush for the first time shortly after sleeping with my boyfriend for the first time (this was 4 years ago) the first year we were together I got thrush every single month despite both of us being treated. I then went on a 6-month course of fluconazole but after 6 months of finishing the treatment, the thrush came back again every month for four months so back I went on the 6-month course of fluconazole until the exact same thing happened again. I do not know what is wrong with my body! It is definitely thrush as it always clears with medicine but I am not sure why it keeps returning. I came off the pill to see if this would help but no luck. I also have been tested for vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and every std possible! I don't use soap down there and always make sure I wash with warm water after sex and now use the multigyn acti gel after sex as I have heard this helps to rebalance PH after sex (I now also make sure my boyfriend and I use the pull-out method in case it is the semen is causing thrush.) I also take a good probiotic, dont use scented toilet paper and I have tried cutting down sugar but I am yet to totally cut it out. I am so desperate to fix this issue, the thrush really affects my mental health and relationship so please if anyone could be of any help I would be so grateful!

OP posts:

HermioneWeasley · 29/12/2021 19:20

Has your boyfriend been treated?

MamaWeasel · 29/12/2021 19:22

Are you both being treated for the thrush?

whoami24601 · 29/12/2021 19:23

Have you been checked for BV? I had what I thought was thrush after sex for years. Tried everything! It would disappear with treatment but then come back within a few weeks. I got a test from Sainsbury's that tells you whether it's thrush or BV and it turned out I had BV! Treated it and not had a problem since (Maybe a year ago?)

Catcrazy83 · 29/12/2021 19:24

Try condoms and or the pill, could be hormone imbalance. Apple cider in the bath. Don’t wash too often and don’t douch.

nitsandwormsdodger · 29/12/2021 19:27

Natural bio yogurt both up your vagina on a tampon and eat lots to get your gut healthy

And see a dr as it can be a sign of cancer

Darhon · 29/12/2021 19:31

These have changed my life. Was getting thrush loads - older and approaching perimenopause. As well as showers only, washing with water, cotton underwear and no underwear at night. But these actually stopped the residual itching. They have the cultures with proof to stop thrush.

Thrush that keeps coming back, very desperate

CaurnieBred · 29/12/2021 19:33

I kept getting UTIs and thrush and it turned out I had chlamydia, so please ask to get checked for that too.

SandingWithMyUnshavenLegs · 29/12/2021 19:34

Try using emulsifying ointment to moisturise and wash with. Just be aware that it is not compatible with condoms.

VerbenaGirl · 29/12/2021 19:36

My recurring thrush really really improved when I changed from tampons to period knickers.

Flingingmelon · 29/12/2021 19:39

I had this - cutting out on sugar a lot really helped. But also I had a latex allergy and was allergic to tampons and pads.

I've now switched to period pants and a latex free mooncup which also helped a lot.

Too much sugar does still start me off though. So I have to watch it.

Good luck OP - it's a rubbish thing to live with.

confettiballoons · 29/12/2021 19:40

Sadly, I second the poster who suggests getting tested for chlamydia - I had a hideous year at uni with recurrent thrush and utis until a kind dr insisted on doing an STI check even tho I was absolutely sure my lovely boyfriend would never have had unprotected sex and not told me 🙄 guess what.

pantherrose · 29/12/2021 19:48

IF it is thrush, cut out all foods/ drinks containing sugars and yeasts. Few drops of tea tree oil in bath, supplement with caprylic acid (caprillicyn) and good quality probiotics - Biocare do a great range and have always worked for me. I agree with pps, get a thorough check to ensure that there is not an underlying infection.

tribpot · 29/12/2021 19:56

You're taking some risks with your contraception there - off the pill and relying on the withdrawal method. I assume your boyfriend isn't wearing a condom, in which case he may be re-infecting you.

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:03

Hi all, it is 1000% no chlamydia or another STD (myself and my boyfriend have probably done over 20 checks over the last 4 years out of pure desperation). It is also definitely thrush and not BV, have had countless positive cultures done and never tested positive for BV

I have also already stopped wearing tampons but I will have a look at period knickers!

OP posts:

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:03

@pantherrose How long do you think I should be cutting out the sugar and yeast?

OP posts:

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:04

@SandingWithMyUnshavenLegs Thanks, do you know the name of the wash?

OP posts:

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:06

@tribpot Hi yeah I am worried about the risk but I was advised by the doctor to come off of the pill to see if that was a trigger, we also tried using condoms but they seemed to irritate me more and cause me to get thrush even more often so I am a bit stuck. We also use natural cycles but I am aware this is not 100% effective.

OP posts:

over2021 · 29/12/2021 20:18

I really suffered too OP. In the end the only think which kicked it was Fluconazole. My prescription was 150mg every 72 hours x 3 then 150mg a week for 6 months.

That was a year or so ago; I haven't suffered again since

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:19

@over2021 I have already done the 6 month course three times now :( the thrush stays away while I am taking the fluconzole and then I also stay clear for the next 6 months but then it keeps returning on the 6 month mark of when I finished the last tablet. Happy it worked for you!

OP posts:

polkadotpixie · 29/12/2021 20:22

Has your boyfriend taken Flucanazole too? He could be in passing it back to you

popples19 · 29/12/2021 20:22

The only thing that helped me was boric acid pessaries. I'm still not 100% clear bit it's now only once every 2/3 months which is a massive improvement for the twice a month it once was. Also no tights really helps x

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:28

@popples19 Did you get these from a doctor? I have heard great things but also some horror stories! And how often do you use them, just after sex and your period?

OP posts:

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:29

@polkadotpixie Yes he has taken the tablets and used the cream in the past, he hasn't done a long course like I have though.

OP posts:

tribpot · 29/12/2021 20:37

Has the lab ever confirmed the species? From googling, I can see there are strains of Candida that are resistant to fluconazole, although you would expect that even if the symptoms died down whilst you were on it, the thrush would bounce back as soon as you finished the course of treatment. Are you being treated by your GP, or have you been referred?

Original poster

kittykat818 · 29/12/2021 20:40

@tribpot Hi, I have yes I have the classic candida Albicans and it does clear when I am on the medicine but just keeps coming back after a few months after stopping the fluconazole. I have been referred by my GP to a couple of different gynecologists but they all just end up putting me on fluconazole again :(.

OP posts:

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