If you’re taking HRT how to cope with constant thrush?

[intrepidwalker]

Been taking HRT for around 3 years and it means I can function and it’s given me my life back, however I have constant thrush am now allergic to ALL remedies ie Fluconazole and Clotrimazole. I also have painful BV a couple of times a month too - again allergic to Metronidazole so I can only treat with the balance gels.
Its got to the point where can no longer sleep under a duvet cover and have to sleep on top of our duvet with just a light sheet at night even in winter so I do t get hot/warm down there at night. The thrush feels painful so does the BV as I’m extremely sensitive down there. I have swabs down at the doctors to confirm the infections - it’s not just in my head.

I’ve gone to a private doctors but they couldn’t help and make me feel like a freak.

Before I started taking HRT I had insomnia, crippling anxiety and such severe atrophy that I couldn’t sit down. Oh and constant hot flushes and palpitations- so I was unable to work. A week after taking HRT I was back to my normal self - so I don’t feel it’s an option to not take it.

If anyone has any advice I’d be so grateful. I take women’s probiotics tablets daily, don’t eat sugar and don’t drink alcohol. I’m 56

I get constant thrush though I've had it since giving birth and not related to my HRT.

My consultant said there is a dept specifically for dealing with yeast infections that don't respond. Can you ask GP to refer you?

Ok Thx I’ll see what they say. Are you in the UK? I know other countries offer this but didn’t realise it was available here.

Yes I'm in the UK. Consultant was private but he was referring into NHS. I the south of UK.

...are you 100% sure it's thrush all of the time?
I used to think I had thrush (for years- soreness) and kept treating it, but and it was vaginal atrophy.

I'm quoting this from @JinglingSpringbells because this was my experience too.

I was certain I had thrush during perimenopause because I was so sore and itchy down there. It didn't respond to OTC thrush treatment which would usually clear it up quickly. It was only when I read about vaginal atrophy on this board that I finally realised what was going on and talked to my GP.

Ongoing treatment internally with Vagifem and externally with Ovestin got me comfortable again.

I used to get thrush at ovulation EVERY month for about 15 years. Spent ££££ on treatments and felt awful both physically but also tired/unwell.

Menopause has given me my life back!!

You mentioned that you don't often feel up for it (understandably!) but if you are sexually active, is your partner treated too? He may be carrying the infection and reinfecting you.