Thrush Misery

[Littlelionroar1982]

Hi all. I’m almost 33 and I’ve suffered on and off for years with recurrent vaginal thrush. It’s always been a nuisance but in the last year since having my first child (c section) it’s gotten worse. I went back on the pill after 6 months and feel that contributed, I came off it 6 weeks ago and switched to the infection with no change so far. I’m constantly itchy and sore with mild discharge but the worst thing for me is the painful sex, I feel right and sore and it burns and it’s starting to cause a real problem for me and my very understanding problem. Over the years I’ve tried allsorts and recurrent canesten pessaries, 10 years ago I had 2 bad reactions to the fluconazole tablets (multiple mouth ulcers - literally like 30 odd both times) so I’m now listed with the GP as being highly allergic. I don’t have baths, I wear cotton underwear and only wash in water, I’m at my wits end, gyno and dermatologist prescribed creams that made it worse. I’m looking to see if anyone has any other lifestyle advice, diet or home remedies to help take control of this as it’s making me miserable!

SOS please.

Ive had the same but actually now found a mix of massively reducing sugar and eating better mixed with some decent probiotics help much more than the creams over the long term.

Have you ever been tested for cytolytic vaginosis?

Second @shouldbesleepingnotscrolling . Your gut and vaginal microbiome could be off balance which creates a very fertile environment for the wrong populations to thrive. Daily intake of probiotics (yoghurt and supplements) as well as Vitamin C and selenium could provide some relief. And reduction in sugar intake could help too.

I feel your pain. I used to get it alot. Suddenly it stopped. Don't know why, don't care why but glad it did.

Could be worth treating your partner as well with fluconazole even if they have no symptoms. Men can have thrush without symptoms and you can end up passing it between you. I had recurrent thrush and had a six month course of fluconazole (1 tablet per week) and my husband took 1. That got rid of it. My doctor also tested me for diabetes as that can cause recurrent thrush

Do you wear trousers alot?

Get a some big swishy skirts. No knickers. Even if you're just in the house. Give your bits a rest.

I second the treating your partner the same time you are being treated. Every time.

Have you actually been tested for thrush? As in have you been tested for bacterial vaginosis and STIs?

I had recurrent thrush and took a long term course of flucanazole which did get rid of it eventually. Sympathies. It’s awful.

@fiorentina I am struggling with the same - how long did you stay on the fluconazole and how long have you been without thrush? Thanks!

I took it for 3 months I think -
one a week and that worked but it came back and I repeated it and I’ve been free of it for a couple of years. The dr did think having a coil didn’t help but I see you don’t have that issue.

@fiorentina Did you take the coil out while you did the fluconazole? I have done the 6 month course of fluconazole a couple of times but after a year my thrush always returns monthly - I have been getting it monthly again for the last 10 months just before my period - it's such a nightmare!

No I didn’t but did have it changed. Recurring thrush is a painful and uncomfortable nightmare. I did try and reduce my sugar intake, but nothing too drastic. I am mid 40s so perhaps changing hormones has helped and also lockdown working from home and not being in work trousers, dresses and tights.

@fiorentina Ah yes that makes sense - I have seen some doctors say that thrush can create a sort of film on the coil so it keeps reinfecting you once you have had it once! I am considering diet change now as I feel like I have tried everything! I think my hormones must definitely play a role as mine comes on the exact same day of my period cycle every month but I am 24 so I have a while till my hormones change dramatically! I am so happy you are free from this horrible illness - I hope I will be the same one day!

Bit of an aside but are you still breastfeeding/recently given up? I really struggled with sex throughout BFing with similar symptoms to you, which hugely eased a few months after stopping, which could be making things worse for you in addition to thrush.

Sympathies, it’s horrible xx