Recurrent thrush impacting my mental health

[kittykat818]

I have been plagued with thrush for over 4 years (started when I was 19 and I am 24 next month) - it all started once I started when I lost my virginity with my current partner. I tried treating it with Canesten but it returned every months so I eventually got put on a 6 months fluconazole treatment which cleared it while I took the tablets but it returned when I stopped (I have done this 6 month treatment three times now). My thrush tends to appear the week before my period - I came of the combined pill to see if this would help but the thrush still comes back every month. I have tried changing to natural toilet paper and pads (stopped using tampons) only was with an emollient and always make sure I shower after sex. I have tried dozens of different expensive probiotics and natural antifungals but nothing works. I have also tried to do the anti candida diet a few times - but I always stop around the 1-2 month mark as it makes me so miserable and I already have a few existing issues around eating. I have also had blood tests to check diabetes, thyroid, vitamin issues but they all come back saying I am in good health. The thrush makes me utterly miserable and I find myself shutting of from everyone around me including my very understanding partner who also always treats himself with the tablet and cream. The fluconazole is clearly not working and in fact is probably leading to more gut issues as it also kills good yeasts so I am terrified of taking it long term again, all I want is to live the normal life of a 23 year old!

@Ontoawinner Hey, yes this has come up with the gynae I am seeing as when he did my swabs I did have a high number of the good bacteria (I think from taking too many probiotics in a bid to get rid of the thrush) however, I still also had a high count of yeast! No winning!

@CherryRipe1 Nope, no coil !

@Chocaholic9 Sorry do you mind explaining what this protocol is, I have never heard of it! Is this the only thing you needed to do?

@TolkiensFallow It is awful isn't it, how long did you suffer and are you okay now? My partner has switched over to a fragrance free body was to see if that worked but no luck!

@labazslovesliving Yes.. I feel like I should have better control over my diet, I have tried the anti candida diet but didn't last very long! I always wee after sex but maybe before will help as well! STD clinics have been a god send for me as I have been able to get on the day results for my swabs!

You poor thing. Have you tried soaking in a bath with some bicarbonate of soda. Not sure the science behind it but someone once recommended it me and it definitely helped with the itching. I really hope you find a remedy soon and if you do please come back and let everyone know. Mumsnet is such a little hive of information!

Oh ok. I had raging thrush for years so sympathize with you OP. After umpteen medications, std checks, anti candida diet mine turned out to be the copper 7 coil. Yours does sound systemic & the cause needs to be found rather than treating symptoms but wouldn't have a clue how you'd cure it. All the best OP

Hi OP, if you are getting it the same time each month it must be hormonal, I had exactly the same, it would only be cured with endless pessaries, and it would return each month… I also had a copper coil, which I’m not sure helped. Now that I have a hormonal coil (mirena) I never ever have thrush, I never have to be careful with scented shower gel or rough loo roll or anything! It’s great!

i think it’s the maintaining of the hormone levels that makes the difference, not the lack of copper coil.

I struggled terribly at your age. It was at least monthly. Long term fluconazole helped but wasn't a cure.

Things which did not help:

Condoms - I now know I'm allergic to latex which gives me thrush like symptoms

Too much sex. Or any activity! I know, I know, but well lubricated and not too much. Never ever scratch. Pat, don't wipe.

Pants in bed. Just nope.

The pill - just upset me somehow and it never fully went away until I came off for good

Antibiotics which still set me off now

Sugar - it's grim but even small amounts of white bread, too much sugary food etc caused issues.

Just did a quick Dr Google & read about lactobacillus overgrowth imitating thrush. You said you had a high number of good bacteria so it could be that? @Ontoawinner recommended bicarb in the bath as a remedy & that is the cure for lactobacillus overgrowth. Worth a shot?

Do you drink a lot of coffee? I had recurrent thrush for several years but as soon as I stopped coffee it literally disappeared. Worth a try!

@BakedBeeeen Yes, I think it might be! I was on the combined pill and got it then but still continuing to get it, I hope I am able to get a hormonal blood test and that it will show something is off!

@RinklyRomaine Yes, I think I do need to cut down sugar but the idea of being constantly worried about what I am eating/drinking adds another layer of misery to this whole thing!

@CherryRipe1 Yes, this is what one doctors theory is but from my research women often confuse the overgrowth for thrush whereas I somehow have managed to get an overgrowth and thrush - just my luck! I will see if the bath technique has any effect next month!

@WouldYouIfYouCould I was probably drinking a couple of coffees a day at one point but have stopped since October (as I have been getting thrush every month since then) and it doesn't seem to have done the trick!

Have you been to the GU clinic to get your thrush swabbed? I had this issue at about your age, and it turned out that I didn't have Candida albicans, but Candida glabrata which requires a completely different kind of treatment.

Hi OP, I'm convinced in cases like you describe its sex without a condom. The ph balance goes in the vagina. Vagina acidic, precum alkaline to prepare for semen and it throws out the ph balance. That triggers thrush as it creates imbalance of good and bad bacteria. If you don't have sex do you get thrush?

Another thing is prebiotics as PP mention.

It does, @kittykat818. I've not long had two GD pregnancies back to back which meant constant monitoring but honestly, I feel better all round for less sugar. Sympathy though.

Are you on the pill OP

I seemed to suffer with it when I was all those years ago

@Pearlywunzel Yes, a few times now and it always comes back as Candida Albicans - sensitive to fluconazole!

@LadyLolaRuben Hey, we have been thinking to try condoms for a month to see if that works - just makes me worried if this will have to go on forever and wonder what will happen if we begin trying for children. I haven't gone long periods without having sex in a month as it only comes once a month it is hard to monitor. Thanks!

@RinklyRomaine Did you ever try the candida diet?

Not properly, no. Just lower sugar, high veg. Am I right in thinking it includes lots of fermented food? Kimchee or sauerkraut? Not for me!

@RinklyRomaine It's total exclusion of sugar (including fruit), carbs, gluten, dairy so pretty intense! But I have seen a few success stories of women who have done it and never got thrush again despite returning to a normal/normalish diet!