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Women's health

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Original poster

Hormones giving me constant thrush :(

8 replies

prettyprinceofpartiez · 27/11/2022 19:34

Hi all, desperate for some advice as I'm feeling physically broken tonight.

Had my first baby 20 months ago, and went back on my mini pill that I've been on for 10 years. Over the last 6-9 months I have been gradually getting thrush more and more frequently, to the point I'm now getting it at least once a week.

When I was in my early twenties I had chronic thrush and was put on a 6 week flucanazole treatment which knocked it on the head but clearly my hormones are totally out of whack. I have the most painful paper cut-like fissure on the side of one of my labia too which I've never had before.

I'm also getting periods every two weeks where I used to never get them due to the mini pill.

I'm booking in at the doctor for treatment and hopefully a blood check, but what can I do to boost my immune system and feel better? I feel broken right now and in so much discomfort and pain.

OP posts:
han01uk · 27/11/2022 19:36

Try wellgard vitaflora tablets. I swear by them. Also get your blood sugar checked. I am type 1 diabetic and get thrush a lot due to the sugar content in my urine when my blood sugars are up. Try to reduce your sugar intake a bit. And get some probiotics as mentioned. You can buy fluconazole over the counter which works better than the cream etc.

2Hot2Handle · 27/11/2022 19:38

@han01uk I didn’t know that blood sugar can cause Thrush. Thanks for the info. So useful!

Iwritethissittinginthekitchensink · 27/11/2022 19:40

Cut out sugar and the pill! Use a different form of birth control.

alternating · 27/11/2022 19:42

You don't mention your age but I had very similar with perimenopause (which I really noticed after having my second child but put down to postpartum hormonal madness). Even down to the paper cut like fissures.
HRT fixed me. Could it be that for you?

Muststopeating · 27/11/2022 19:46

I have just had my mirena coil removed for this exact reason (plus it had completely killed my libido and just generally knocked everything out of balance).

I was on the pill for 10 years before I had kids... just thought there was something wrong with me (thrush, low sex drive, painful sex). 3 babies later had the mirena coil... only after that did I realise that its progesterone thats the problem.

I am now trying a copper coil instead. Only 3 days in and can't say I feel better yet, but also having my first bleed (not sure its a period or a side effect) in about 9 months. I really really hope this solves it cos constant thrush was horrendous and you have my full sympathy.

It may settle down. Last month was the first month I hadn't had full blown thrush since March but too little too late in my case.

If you are really miserable then can you come off the pill for a couple of months and see if things settle down?

In the meantime the multi gyn 5 dose treatment worked well for me. Also, applying the external cream at the first hint of an itch would sometimes keep it at bay. Probiotics were a waste of money.

Original poster
prettyprinceofpartiez · 27/11/2022 20:00

alternating · 27/11/2022 19:42

You don't mention your age but I had very similar with perimenopause (which I really noticed after having my second child but put down to postpartum hormonal madness). Even down to the paper cut like fissures.
HRT fixed me. Could it be that for you?

I just turned 30 so I really hope not :(

OP posts:
Original poster
prettyprinceofpartiez · 27/11/2022 20:02

Muststopeating · 27/11/2022 19:46

I have just had my mirena coil removed for this exact reason (plus it had completely killed my libido and just generally knocked everything out of balance).

I was on the pill for 10 years before I had kids... just thought there was something wrong with me (thrush, low sex drive, painful sex). 3 babies later had the mirena coil... only after that did I realise that its progesterone thats the problem.

I am now trying a copper coil instead. Only 3 days in and can't say I feel better yet, but also having my first bleed (not sure its a period or a side effect) in about 9 months. I really really hope this solves it cos constant thrush was horrendous and you have my full sympathy.

It may settle down. Last month was the first month I hadn't had full blown thrush since March but too little too late in my case.

If you are really miserable then can you come off the pill for a couple of months and see if things settle down?

In the meantime the multi gyn 5 dose treatment worked well for me. Also, applying the external cream at the first hint of an itch would sometimes keep it at bay. Probiotics were a waste of money.

I think you're right, I need to come off the pill. I just really don't want to get pregnant right now so it's a scary thought but tracking my cycle should be fine...

OP posts:
Scooby5kids · 07/12/2022 19:18

I was suffering with similar, my vulva and perineum were constantly red raw and itchy. It was particularly unbearably itchy around my perineal scarring from childbirth. I was self treating for thrush but I've recently been diagnosed with lichen sclerosis which is an autoimmune skin condition. Unfortunately it's not curable but they've started me on steroid ointment and it's 95% better. Might be worth asking the doctor about this condition because if you have it it's important to get steroid treatment to protect the vulva from scaring and fusing and cancer risk

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