Recurring thrush

[Ash37]

Hi,
I’m attempting to get help on here as feel I’m not getting it anywhere else!
For the past year I’ve had recurring thrush-at least one episode every 6-8 weeks. Creams will not be enough so I have to use a pessary or oral tablet and this then helps.
I have also had several cases of BV in the past year.
I’ve raised it as a concern with my GP but she says about having an STI check. I am with my long term partner so have no concerns but have still had two STI checks in the past year as advised by GP and I have just wanted her help so have followed this advice when she has asked me to have them done to rule anything out. Both times have been all clear.
It’s just starting to really make me miserable as it’s so uncomfortable and embarrassing too when I’m trying to still be at work to avoid absence. It is also expensive with the amount of creams/pessary/tablets I am having to buy.
I want to make a telephone appointment with my GP next week and emphasise that I have now had two STI checks as advised and that is not the issue. But I wondered if anyone knows what my GP should be doing/what steps can be taken to help me?
In case the information is needed I do have two children-aged 3 and 5.
Also, 6 months ago my smear came back with borderline changes and HPV present. I have had a check and they have said my cervix is ok/they do not need to do anything but I have another smear at the hospital in December. I was not sure if this could be related to the presence of HPV? But I’m really not sure on this.
Thank you so much in advance!

Hi, so sorry you're suffering with this - thrush is awful as is any type of discomfort down there :(

From my understanding the treatment for recurrent thrush should be a long course of Fluconazole. I think doctors vary on what they prescribe - it could be a low dose tablet every day for a month or so, or it could be a higher dose tablet every few days for a bit and then a maintenance dose every so often for a while (not sure about the exact dosages/timings but doctors should know). If you have recurrent thrush this is what your GP should be prescribing - you should be spending no more of your money on otc treatments that aren't touching it! If your GP is being difficult you should try to see a gynaecologist who can prescribe this for you, though the wait to see a gynaecologist can be pretty long right now unfortunately.

I'd really recommend not over-using the topical OTC treatments (pessaries, creams, etc) - I think I did this some months back and gave myself an allergic reaction and I'm still very much suffering the consequences.

good luck - I hope you're able to sort this soon!

I suffered with thrush every month without fail I got fed up of all the usual creams nd pessarys ans got prescribed this instead it did wondered and helped clear it up, you can get in on prescription if you pay for them it cheaper to pay prescription charge anyway if you haven't already tried it ask your gp .

www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/thrush/gyno-daktarin