Sex life suffering thanks to thrush!

[Cherry24xx]

Ladies, I am very new to this so apologies if I have put this thread in the complete wrong section!!
I am 22 years old, fit and healthy with no underlying health conditions (all blood tests and swabs done).. I have one partner of over a year.
After 5 or so doctors appointments, creams, pessaries and tests.. No one can tell me WHY the past few months I have literally had CONSTANT thrush.. There is like not even a day of not having it!
My boyfriend has been very understanding but quite understandably frustrated, as am I, as we've gone from 2 times a day to him using his hand for the past 12 or so weeks :(
I am beyond frustrated now.. I use Canensten soap to wash in, I wash my clothes in non-bio baby powder, I wear cotton underwear, sleep naked, play football commando, take Pro-biotic tablets, let the damn thing breath.. Even treated the boyfriend and haven't touched him since!!
There is nothing I haven't tried.. Could it be my pill? Please, if anyone can shed some light on my suffering I would be forever grateful.. I need my sex life back as it's making me feel very down. I can't keep living like this!!
Thank you X

Do you use condoms?

Could a latex allergy be to blame? I am allergic, and didn't understand why I always had thrush when I used one, until the allergy reared its' head in other places.

Yes, when I used to use condoms in the past they always irritated me, so I don't use them now! No sex at all for me until this is dealt with :(

I think it's the pill as this happened to me too, and then it went away almost instantly when I stopped taking it. Also happened to me in pregnancy (something to do with hormone changes). I'd try to find a condom that doesn't irritate you if you can, maybe non-latex?

P.S. Don't do anal unless YOU actually want to and think you would enjoy it.

If Canestan cream and pill have no effect it is unlikely to be thrush - could be another (bacterial) infection. Does it smell fishy? - if it does, it is more likely to be BV. Have you had a chlamydia test?
If Canestan sends it away and then it comes back it is likely to be thrush re-infection. Wash undies on a hot cycle and get BF to use Canestan on his penis. Thrush can also come from eczema sores on other parts of your body or BF's body - particularly if you sleep together.
I would avoid anal sex - if you have skin conditions down there, anal even if gentle could cause flare up.

I have been there - I know exactly how you feel.
I tried LOADS of things but they never really got on top of it, until I approached it a different way.

Anti-candida diet - very strict for 1 week, then fairly strict for 1 month. I have hardly ever had any problems since then.
Cut out ALL sugar and yeast. Cut out refined carbs and switch to complex carbs (brown rice, pasta, wholemeal bread) but limit amount.
Plenty of fish, chicken & vegetables - and live plain yoghurt.
Pro-biotic supplements.

Honestly - it was worth it. It worked.
Plenty more information available online.

Thanks AppleAndBlackberry - it would definitely make sense if it's my pill.. I so hope it is so I can just put an end to this!! But yes, will be cautious and try to find condoms which will not irritate!!
As for the anal.. You're right.. Not really my kind of thing so going to skip that one!

Ilikeshoeshops, unfortunately it is thrush as it came back on test and not BV. It's odourless down there but I do have eczema, which is interesting. Had all the STD tests, clear! But yes I think you're right with the re-infection.. I need to look into that with my undies and pj's etc

Thank you AkimboLimbo.. I'm going to give it a go.. I live a fairly healthy lifestyle anyway so hopefully won't be too depressing for me haha. Thanks a lot, I'll start tomorrow!

I've posted this before and I'll say it again - coconut oil is a miracle cure for thrush, I've found. As soon as I get the feeling that I might be getting a bout, I whack a big lump of it as far as I can up my fanjo and it sees it off. I do it once in the morning and once at night for a couple of days and even if it's a bad case, it's gone. It makes excellent lube too, so if you had to use it long term it has its advantages, and certainly wouldn't do you any harm.

I get thrush from pads and tampons - switched to cloth pads and it has been life changing.

If you have exzema, try using Epaderm to wash with. Also, do an extra rinse on washloads with underwear - just to be sure all traces of detergent are gone. Def cut out sugar and as much bread/yeast products as possible. Seasalt or Epsom salt baths once or twice a week are soothing. Cotton underwear. Also get partner to wash his 'bits' with something neutral like Epaderm before sex - maybe his shower gel irritating you?

@Littlefluffyclouds81 that's really helpful!! I actually have a big tub which I'll use :) thank you very much!

Yes @TwentyCups, will 100% be doing that when I'm next on. Thanks!

@susieqoo, I do actually get eczema so will definitely grab that soap. My man uses whatever soap I got so he'll use it too which will be helpful! I really hope all these tips will work - thank you x

I'd be very tempted to try cutting out sugar - I'm borderline diabetic and stay away from it normally but if I do eat some, within 24 hours I've got thrush. I wonder if you should ask to have your blood sugars tested as it's a common marker for diabetes? Also can't use bubble bath, any scented soap and tend to shower not bath. Even washing my hair in the bath can set an attack off. It's grim, I hope you get it sorted soon.

I constantly had thrush until I came off the pill six years ago. Have only had it about twice since.

I'm underwear free in pj bottoms at every opportunity, wear cotton pants (big pants) and don't use soap apart from to wash my armpits.

I had thrush that didn't clear with Canesten, and read an article in the Times saying that it can infect the bowel too, and then needs an oral treatment to clear. Went back to the GP and got the oral treatment, and it cleared really quickly.

Recurrent, persistent thrush can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder like an underactive thyroid or diabetes, so might be an idea to rule out those, too.

I was coming on to say about diabetes too, recurrent thrush can be a symptom. I would ask for your bloods to be done so you can rule it out, or get treatment if it is indeed being caused by diabetes.

You said you've tried probiotics. Have you tried optibac for women. I'd tried everything but this worked.

I get thrush if DH ejaculates in me. My GP says it is to do with the alkaline PH of the semen neutralising the acid in my vagina. We use condoms or a BJ to finish him off.