Good habits for reoccurring thrush

Littleguggi · 2025-03-09T12:50:13+00:00

Of course I will be seeing the GP about this, again, but just wanted to see what good habits you've adopted to help keep thrush at bay? And to prevent reoccurrence? Some things I've done (but need to stay consistent with so hopefully this thread will be a good reminder): - Avoiding using soap down there - On hair washing days, washing my hair over the bathtub to avoid shampoo dripping down - Using organic cotton pads on period days - Showering straight after the gym - Wearing cotton pants - Limiting sugary foods I'm hoping others will add to my list and give myself and others suffering some ideas! Also wondering about any herbal treatments/ supplements that people recommend?

Xiaoxiong · 09/03/2025 13:00

Having been through a terrible bout years ago, I was told to wear either skirts/dresses, or loose fitting trousers in natural fibres. You want to make sure that there's lots of air circulation down there. No skinny or tight jeans of any kind even if they're 100% cotton.

No fabric softener, no bath oils or bubble baths or essential oils in the bath, don't use "intimate wipes" or products marketed for "feminine hygiene" (even if they say pH balanced) and no douching! And if you're prone to thrush and are prescribed antibiotics make sure you tell the GP and ask for Diflucan or similar at the same time to prevent thrush.

Also, I found that a mooncup worked better for thrush than pads or period pants because you then don't have as much dampness exactly where you don't want it.

Finally - take a probiotic and eat lots and lots of live yoghurt. (Don't apply topically!!)

Original poster

Littleguggi · 09/03/2025 20:28

Xiaoxiong · 09/03/2025 13:00

Having been through a terrible bout years ago, I was told to wear either skirts/dresses, or loose fitting trousers in natural fibres. You want to make sure that there's lots of air circulation down there. No skinny or tight jeans of any kind even if they're 100% cotton.

No fabric softener, no bath oils or bubble baths or essential oils in the bath, don't use "intimate wipes" or products marketed for "feminine hygiene" (even if they say pH balanced) and no douching! And if you're prone to thrush and are prescribed antibiotics make sure you tell the GP and ask for Diflucan or similar at the same time to prevent thrush.

Also, I found that a mooncup worked better for thrush than pads or period pants because you then don't have as much dampness exactly where you don't want it.

Finally - take a probiotic and eat lots and lots of live yoghurt. (Don't apply topically!!)

Super helpful thanks! Which probiotic would you recommend?

OP posts:

AnotherVice · 09/03/2025 20:30

Acidophilus from a health food shop. Insert!

Original poster

Littleguggi · 10/03/2025 19:54

AnotherVice · 09/03/2025 20:30

Acidophilus from a health food shop. Insert!

Thank you, I brought this today!

OP posts:

Finewine76 · 10/03/2025 19:56

My recurring thrush was diabetes, I'd get a quick blood test to check your hba1c levels

Alasar · 10/03/2025 20:02

Hello I was suffering terribly with this and went to gp who shrugged and said you have thrush. It was becoming more reoccurant and painful. The dryness was horrendous also I went to a different gp who said it is a sign of peri menopause and prescribed me with vagifem, antibiotics and canestsn. Life changing isn't the word for it. I'm just gone 40.

BiscuitBeast · 10/03/2025 20:10

I've stopped having baths completely. Real trigger for me.

No soap around vulva, just warm shower water.

Original poster

Littleguggi · 10/03/2025 20:31

Finewine76 · 10/03/2025 19:56

My recurring thrush was diabetes, I'd get a quick blood test to check your hba1c levels

Thanks for sharing, I've asked my GP for bloods

OP posts:

Original poster

Littleguggi · 10/03/2025 20:33

Alasar · 10/03/2025 20:02

Hello I was suffering terribly with this and went to gp who shrugged and said you have thrush. It was becoming more reoccurant and painful. The dryness was horrendous also I went to a different gp who said it is a sign of peri menopause and prescribed me with vagifem, antibiotics and canestsn. Life changing isn't the word for it. I'm just gone 40.

Ahh gosh, things we womens go though! I'm 37 so not far off 40 I guess! I'm also experiencing dryness on and off.

OP posts:

Original poster

Littleguggi · 10/03/2025 20:34

BiscuitBeast · 10/03/2025 20:10

I've stopped having baths completely. Real trigger for me.

No soap around vulva, just warm shower water.

Yes me too, no more baths :( and I had just brought some lovely scented bath salts which will now go to waste!

OP posts:

MrsS11 · 10/03/2025 20:44

Xiaoxiong · 09/03/2025 13:00

Having been through a terrible bout years ago, I was told to wear either skirts/dresses, or loose fitting trousers in natural fibres. You want to make sure that there's lots of air circulation down there. No skinny or tight jeans of any kind even if they're 100% cotton.

No fabric softener, no bath oils or bubble baths or essential oils in the bath, don't use "intimate wipes" or products marketed for "feminine hygiene" (even if they say pH balanced) and no douching! And if you're prone to thrush and are prescribed antibiotics make sure you tell the GP and ask for Diflucan or similar at the same time to prevent thrush.

Also, I found that a mooncup worked better for thrush than pads or period pants because you then don't have as much dampness exactly where you don't want it.

Finally - take a probiotic and eat lots and lots of live yoghurt. (Don't apply topically!!)

Randomly I was once told by a GP to try putting probiotic yoghurt on a tampon! It instantly puffed up and didn't work at all, obviously 🤔 probiotics definitely help though and switching to CSP instead of disposable pads made a big difference to me.