Thrush/allergy to sanitary products, advice please...

[EdieMcredie]

Been having a break for ages but need some advice and MN is the answer I hope!

Right, been having thrush on and off for a few years now but since having baby 18 months ago been having it pretty much every month when im on my period. Been taking fluconazole quite a bit which works mostly, take pessary sometimes to give my body a break from the fluconazole but they are hit and miss so far as efficacy goes.

Started taking a supplement of 'good bacteria', still didn't make much difference. I am pretty good with all the self help stuff apart from the fact that I do love my skinny jeans! Ie no hot baths, scented products etc.

Once when I thought I had thrush, GP took some swabs and everything came back clear (tested for pretty much everything). Now I have concluded that I am allergic to sanitary towels ( can't use tampons at all) so found some really friendly ones that don't use plastic or chlorine or anything. I think what it happening is I get irritated, that causes me to itch (TMI) and that turns into thrush.

Just wondered if anyone had suffered anything similar at all??

hello peeps
i simply can not get my head around the mooncup idea but i too have suffered with thrush and being allergic to sanitary products for my whole life.

this is what has worked for me and i rarelt get thrush now (thank goodness)
i only wash down there with femfresh, i rarely have perfumed or bubble baths, i leave my self knickerless as often as possible and never wear anything to bed. I wear cotton knickers 99% of the time. i try not to wear jeans too many days in a row instead alternate with other kinds of trousers.
when it is my period i use bodyform, tampons are a complete no no as are other brands because i find i itch pretty much within half an hour.
whilst on my period i will remove everything incl knickers and lie on my bed on a dark colour towel. i do this frequently thorughout my period and i find it works for me.

maybe this will help some people maybe not

kentmumtj - that's a brilliant way of avoiding thrush, but if you can get your head around that much hassle, a mooncup will be a breeze! (Although I admit I bought one and then spent the next 3 months finding excuses not to try it before I finally took the plunge. It was a lot easier to get used to than I thought and well worth the, surprisingly minimal, effort of working out how to use it properly).

Is your dh being treated as well? I got thrush last year (yes, from using sanitary pads as tampons gave me cystitis ) but dh didn't take his treatment seriously as he had no symptoms so about 6 weeks later, my thrush returned. Just wondered if you had thought about that.

I am in the same boat. I have thrush pretty much constantly and have been to docs loads of times. Last time I went she tested me and said it wasn't thrush, so has just been left to when I have symptoms again I phone docs and get a swab done to see what it is. I rarely wear towels (just at night, but don't think it's any worse with that) but have itching pretty much every day and sometimes achy bits. I don't use anything perfumed and always wear cotton undies. I don't know what it is, just see into the future that my life will be blighted by this.

I came off the pill as my dh was always having to use condoms so it seemed pointless. Also doc said it might help to come off. It hasn't.

If it's not thrush, what else could it be??

its horrible isnt it
asteamedpoater - i really cant get my head around it i honestly cant, maybe im being silly, anyways as ive just had an op down there (blush) nothing will be inserted fro some time lol

dumnledoresgirl - my hubby was always treated and being that i have only had 3 attacks of thrush in about 4 years im sure he treated himself properly.

i think it was about changes i had to make and for me they work so im happy.

i too used to get cystiti alot as well but again luckily for me not for some years

Kentmum-Some brilliant tips there-cheers!

FMG-Yes I have been tested before and they have said ''it's not thrush'' which is confusing as fluconazole gets rid of it in the main.

I actually can't wait for next period so I can but a mooncup-they sound great!

Bought a mooncup and used it for the first time today. I don't think ill ever look back...thanks MN!!