Could sex be causing my recurrent thrush?

[MGJ818]

Hi, I need help/advice! I have been getting thrush ever since I started having sex (four years ago) I am still with the same boy I lost my virginity to. We are very happy but I am worried our sex life might be the cause of all my problems with thrush and that in some way our bodies are just not compatible. I have been on long-term courses of fluconazole (antifungal drug) and while I'm on the medicine and for a short time after I stay free from thrush but it always comes back eventually. I make sure my boyfriend is always also treated when I have symptoms and we avoid sex during that time. I also avoid soap down there, wear cotton knickers, have tested negatively for diabetes/HIV/thyroid issues/vitamin deficiencies and make sure we are gentle and not aggravating my vagina when we do have sex. I really don't want thrush to be the reason this relationship ends but I am not sure what I am meant to do, because he is the only person I have slept with I am not sure if it is sex in general that I react badly to or sex with him or whether it is completely unrelated to sex (candida overgrowth, hormones??). I have tried probiotics. diet change (never for very long), switching to nonscented products, Has anyone else suffered from this or does anyone have any solutions?? Please help!

It is unlikely the sex is giving you thrush unless he hasn’t been treating himself for thrush and is reinfecting you.

If he’s definitely been treated then most likely thing is that you are prone to thrush and sex creates a slightly irritated or dry area where the thrush can thrive.

Some people seem to be more prone to thrush than others unfortunately. Taking antibiotics long term or often can make you prone to thrush. Cutting out sugar (or right down) generally helps a lot. Also plenty of lube when having sex to avoid irritation and dryness.

Oh and probiotics too!

I had the same problem at the start of my relationship. It went on and off for a few years.

Things that seemed to aggravate things down there were certain condoms, sex toys and fingers, so used different contraception/condoms and avoided the rest. It helped.

What has your GP said? Did you also try the pessary along with the tablet? Sometimes a pessary course might be better than just tablets

@minipie He is 100% treating it, we live together so I see him go to reapply the cream and has been taking the fluconazole tablet too. i don't think he is passing it to me but rather it's my body's reaction to him almost like there is PH missmatch! I have really cut down sugar for the moment in the hopes that this will work. I have gone periods of up to 6 months following long term treatment where we have been able to have sex with no issue which is reassuring but I just can't figure out why it always returns and why once I have had it once I get it again every month until returning to long term treatment. We have tried using YES lube so maybe we will try to use that every time, thanks.

@OogieBoogiePoinsettiaPlant I usually have to use the pessary alongside the tablets to get rid of the initial bout of thrush and then move back to just the tablets as maintenance. My doctors are at a bit of a loss and just keep telling me to go on the fluconazole but the longer I do this the more I have had to up my dose as it is becoming less effective. I am only 23 so I can't imagine how much I will have to take when I am older if this carries on! Did the thrush stop with your partner eventually?

Another thing to consider - is it definitely thrush? I had thrush which cleared up but I then had vulvar eczema (took ages to get it diagnosed) which had been triggered by the thrush and caused soreness when we had sex. I first assumed it was the thrush returning but it wasn’t.

Is it definitely thrush? Ask to be referred to
A gynaecologist. I did have thrush at one point but then the gynaecologist prescribed vagifem to help vaginal
Dryness and also replens. For me
It felt deep inside and so whenever I felt it coming on I would
Use the replens and that stopped it in its tracks. Also saw a nutrionist who advised which probiotics and in which order to take to help with candida overgrowth.

Are you using condoms? They give me thrush

@minipie @onwardsandupwards22 Hi both it is 100% just thrush I have had this checked by a few specialists now. I am really considering going to a nutritionist, did they change your diet or just ask you to take the probiotics? Thanks!

@trunktoes Hi, no condoms! We did try this but I found them really uncomfortable.

[quote MGJ818]**@minipie* @onwardsandupwards22* Hi both it is 100% just thrush I have had this checked by a few specialists now. I am really considering going to a nutritionist, did they change your diet or just ask you to take the probiotics? Thanks![/quote]
They suggested cutting out sugar / reducing it but I can't remember anymore specific dietary advice. The probiotics in the sequence they told me did the trick though after 3 years of the GP not getting anywhere with it!

@onwardsandupwards22 Had you tried probiotics before this or was this your first go on them. I have tried taking them but without much luck but maybe I am not taking the right ones or in the right order? Did you follow the advice of cutting out sugar? Thanks for the help!

Did the thrush stop with your partner eventually?

Yes, It went away eventually, but I also suspected a UTI at some point too because sometimes there was a burning sensation.

I got pregnant, I had antibiotics actually for a UTI whilst pregnant and things calmed down. Maybe hormone changes from pregnancy helped? Who knows.

Interestingly enough, I was your age too when I had the most problems with it.

I would say definitely avoid anything that might irritate the area. We went back to condoms for a while after I had our baby and decided to try out some more 'fancy'/playful ones. Well they didn't agree with me! Left me sore and I could see this leading back to constant discomfort!

This is TMI but I stopped getting thrush when DH stopped ejaculating inside me. He pulls out now.

@Dsisproblem No not at all! We have tried the same as I read that it can mess up your PH but I still suffer!

@OogieBoogiePoinsettiaPlant I have heard thrush sometimes stops when women get pregnant due to a change in hormones so maybe that was why. I am not planning to have children any time soon unfortuently! I've seen a lot of women around my age seem to suffer and grow out of it but after 4 years I am fed up!

Hi op, this was my experience- had thrush for years. It was awful!! I feel for you.
I think it was - sorry to be graphic- but the semen rather than the sex. I think it affected my ph levels.
I take a daily pro biotic which really helps.

Agree with @Dsisproblem

@namechangerqwerty Hey, we already always do pull out just to be safe as I had read about semen throwing off a woman's ph but I still get thrush once a month! Which probiotic do you use? Thanks!

@namechangerqwerty Have you found that you got thrush with all your partners?

Yes I had it for years, with various partners m, but not (thank goodness) with my current DP. I think that's due to the probiotics & him not ejaculating inside me.
A thought - does your DP use scented shower gel to wash himself? My ex used to & I'm certain it was an extra irritant.

I take the physis trio biotics.

[quote MGJ818]@onwardsandupwards22 Had you tried probiotics before this or was this your first go on them. I have tried taking them but without much luck but maybe I am not taking the right ones or in the right order? Did you follow the advice of cutting out sugar? Thanks for the help![/quote]
I had tried generic ones but they told me the specific types. I've just remembered they also recommended oregano oil capsules and maybe something else to cleanse as well. This was a few years ago but I do know the Nhs didn't manage to control things for me for 3 years, it was only the nutrionist who finally helped

Another supplement I've since used (for other issues once candida was resolved) is called oxytech by dulwich health. You can phone them for advice! They are really helpful

I did reduce sugar during big flares but not consistently

I did also suffer from recurrent uti's around the same time and I do feel one triggered the other. Also that when my cycle was due I was more prone to thrush

I had experience of this. I had treatment with vagifem pesssaries (local oestrogen) for a period of time. Problem was solved. Perhaps like the pregnancy situation PPs have mentioned a change in hormine balance can be required to rebalance and kivlckstart the process. Also recommend Pjur lube for causing less thrush effects.

@namechangerqwerty No scented shower gel, I switched him over to sanex a few years ago when my issues began but recently realised that had glycerin so have moved us both on to something even more sensitive!