Recurrent thrush - help...

[NLMUM80]

Anyone have any experience of long-term thrush management? Mine was brought on last year by antibiotics and possibly a reaction to a brief experiment with HRT (but mostly a long course of strong antibiotics).
Fluconozale plus canesten kill it for a bit, but it comes back.
Repeatedly! After a couple of weeks of relief my skin is BURNING.
Dr not thrilled about my taking the course of treatment again - seeing her in a week or so but feel like I am banging my head against a wall.

Yes! I used to get this when on the pill, had the copper IUD to get rid of it which worked 100% for about 10 years. However, it did mean recurrent BV instead... changed to the mirena coil (hormonal but v small amounts) and the BV is better but... sometimes also get the thrush again! Bloody contraceptives!!

I've always been v sceptical of non-medical treatments but genuinely Optibac probiotics for women help to avoid it (but don't do much when you've got it). I always found with the pessaries/fluconazole treatment it deals with it for a bit but then comes back so I wasn't impressed.

Basically, if you're on antibiotics or anything that increases estrogen (i.e. HRT/hormonal contraceptives), if you're a thrush-getter, you might then get recurrent thrush. I've just found some studies which say medical-grade manuka honey is more effective than fluconazole (links below), and mentioned a product called L-Mesitran Soft inserted vaginally, which is meant to upset your vag's microbiome less than antibiotics/etc.... I'm thinking of trying it. Of course, coming off contraceptives is an option for me but if you're using HRT then it's probably needed for a medical reason so not sure what to advise there!

No conclusion but hopefully that's useful anyway. Links below & best of luck!

https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/7/8/664

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allam-Abdelmonem-2/publication/221814646_Bee-honey_and_yogurt_A_novel_mixture_for_treating_patients_with_vulvovaginal_candidiasis_during_pregnancy/links/541c81cb0cf203f155b889ea/Bee-honey-and-yogurt-A-novel-mixture-for-treating-patients-with-vulvovaginal-candidiasis-during-pregnancy.pdf

Please also get yourself checked to rule out diabetes. Recurrent thrush is one of the symptoms, it led to my diagnosis.

You mention HRT so I’m assuming you’re menopausal- you may need internal oestrogen as well as the systemic HRT. Part of the reason you might be getting recurrent thrush is dryness / changes in the vagina associated with menopause. Try and get Ovestin prescribed - use it internally and externally. This really helped me. You may also need a longer course of Fluconazole- you can take 50mg per day for 3 months in really persistent cases. And get a probiotic - Biokault is good. I’ve been under a specialist for recurrent vaginal and oesophageal thrush. Mine is down to Sjögren’s and lupus - also worth a google.

Thanks all - going back to gynea on Monday will update - also trying more on the probiotic side too. Interesting point re diabetes - I do have some insulin resistance issues after my last pregnancy, so I eat a very low sugar diet and have managed it *or thought so! So would be worth checking.
I wondered - vaginal probiotics - anyone success with those?
I'm willing to try anything and everything and I have read some studies which say the are ineffective....but if at least not harmful I'm going to try!

Xrays sorry missed your message re menopausal - actually not yet, maybe peri but doctor not even convinced we're that far along. Low estrogen since third child and not sure why!

I had recurring thrush at the start of lockdown - eventually got rid after the doctor prescribed pessaries for I think six days in a row? And I moved away from tampons and pads to reusables. And I read on MN that strangely enough ironing your knickers can help zap the last of it. These all worked for me and I've not had it since! Not sure if your body is producing tougher stuff than mine bit but it's worth a shot.

How did you get on?

Hi OP, oh I can feel your pain! I had it for two years on and off and it made me so miserable. Mine seemed to be triggered after a loooong bout of antibiotics for a stubborn infection, and my period set it off every month (and sex).

This is controversial, but I finally found something that solved it for me. I use femfresh in the shower to wash my bits. I KNOW it's hated on MN but it was recommended by my gynae who is amazing and knows her stuff. I took my usual pill+cream combo, got rid of it, then started with the femfresh and voila- it never came back. I use it religiously now. For nearly 2 years I didn't have it once! Then, last year I went to rehab for 8 weeks and couldn't use it there and had it twice while there. So it proved it to me, that for me, it works. Worth a try!