Thrush. Every. Fucking. Time.

[TheAngryItch]

I am fed up of this.

EVERY time I have sex, I get thrush, plus or minus a UTI. This has happened since I first became sexually active at 18 - I'm now 38.

I have had multiple swabs and been to multiple GPs. Every time it's 'only' thrush, and I get the usual lecture of wee after sex (I always try to - it makes no difference), don't use soap down there (I never do), do/don't cleanse with water after sex (makes no difference, either way), don't wear tights (never do), and on and on. I've tried taking a fluoconazole tablet every time I have sex - I still get it. I've tried probiotic vaginal suppositories like Canesflor - I still get it. I've tried putting in a treatment pessary or cream after sex - I still get it. I've tried using the cream during sex - I still get it. No, DH is not re-infecting me. The thrush I get is so bad we go literally months between any sex - this problem has killed relationships in the past because I just can't bring myself to do it anymore, because I know I'll face days, possibly even weeks, of aching, hideous itch and discharge that takes three or four pessaries, or a lengthy course of oral fluoconazole to shift. One shag literally costs me around £50 in treatments. It's not a sperm allergy - I still get it with condoms. I only get it after sex - rarely/never any other time.

I barely want to mention the UTIs because then I get antibiotics...and we know what antibiotics do to thrush.

Anyone else, please?! I just want a normal sex life!

I've had thrush that won't go since I was 20 and I'm now 34. I was only ever thrush free for a few days at a time maximum. The only thing that has made it go was having a baby! Dd is 8 months now and I think it might be finally coming back. Trying for a baby was not fun! I'm sure you've thought of his but swimming pools really aggravate mine. But sex much more so. It's shit. I take acidophilus tablets but I have no idea if they help or not!

I took Acidophilus Bifidus. A good quality one. Maybe try that but definitely get a referral.

Solidarity, seven. Two babies here and no let up. The only time DH got symptomatic with thrush from me was when DS1 was conceived. We laugh (weakly) that he gave me a baby and I gave him thrush.

Aargh it's happening to me too at the moment OP. SO ANNOYING. Having a baby and then breastfeeding helped with mine too. (I think it's the oestrogen) but I've stopped feeding DD and it's back.

I know it's an annoying cure-all at the moment but coconut oil does help a bit for me. There's research: pubmed

are you washing knickers/bedding at 60 or higher regularly?

X post. Annoying the pregnancy cure doesn't work for you.

Yes, RedBug. And change pyjamas nightly when I've got it.

Nor the breastfeeding, Gunpowder. Did it for three years in total and the only way if stopped the thrush was by flattening my sex drive.

Poor long-suffering DH He's a good 'un.

Have you ever had your blood sugar checked? Recurrently thrush is linked to diabetes I believe.

It's so shit. Glad your DH is supportive.

Just noticed your user name

Gunpowder, what do you need to do with the coconut oil? Eat it or slather it on? I've tried baths with white wine vinegar in and tea tree oil. Don't work.

is it really thrush or, erm, mechanical abrasion?

I suspect it's not thrush. Or if it is, what you have is not a straightforward kind. I know you've had swabs etc. But the candida is meant to be there and comes in two forms (cannot remember the names, one is hyphae). One form is normal, the other is not and causes symptoms. Basic swabs do not differentiate between the two. The really nasty sort gets deeper in the tissues and might need many months of high dose oral treatment to deal with. For both of you.

The suggestions of GUM and gynae are very sensible. Also a dermatologist. I had a persistent and long standing vulval itch. That had been treated as thrush. After seeing a dermatologist and having patch testing (all on the NHS), it turned out I had just extremely reactive skin down there, and the answer was lube to minimise friction, avoiding all products containing a preservative (will check the name for you), and a very strong steroid ointment to calm down any reaction the second it appeared. It's gone from ruling my life to making a half hearted return for a few hours a month.

Haha at the transferral of organisms. Small price to pay I suppose!

methylisothiazolinone Is the preservative. Avoid it in shampoo etc as well as shower gel etc.

Bonzo, which lubricant do you use now then? I have sometimes wondered if that affects mine.

Thanks bonzo. That's helpful info about the different referral routes.

seven I just slather it on. It's a bit disconcerting to smell like a bounty but it's more soothing than canestan (for me).

I'm going to check all the product lists for that preservative list bonzo , thank you!

You don't need a referral to gum, just go. Have you tried the 10% internal cream?

I haven't read the whole thread but a big yes to self referral to a GUM clinic. They can put you on a constant but low dose of fluconazole. You take one a day as a prophylactic treatment. They will reassure you it's not anything else. Treatment including medication is free. Anything that reoccurs this frequently needs a competent doctor. It's miserable.

Get referred to a gynaecologist by your GP.
Do you get it from oral/mutual masturbation or is it just PIV sex?

Seven just durex play. I haven't checked the ingredients but it seems fine. When ttc we used something special for that though not sure of the name.

gunpowder its odd as the price of the product or its "natural / eco " credentials are not a good guide as to if they have the methylisothiazolinone in.

Aargh! It's in my bumble & bumble shampoo, bought at vast expense because it's SLS free, and in Molton brown Christmas present bubble bath! I see what you mean about price/eco credentials Bonzo The DC's products seem not to have it as an ingredient so I'm going to switch to their stuff for a while. I've been getting a flaky scalp too Hugh. Maybe this has been the culprit all along. Thank goodness for mumsnet.