Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Women's health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

Thrush - keeps coming back

29 replies

SaraAppleseed · 31/03/2025 06:42

I am currently on a preventative course of Fluconazole for thrush- 1 tablet a week for 6 months plus an initial dose which was one tablet every 72 hours.
This was recommended after I developed thrush around 2 years ago and proceeded to get it every month.
When I started this treatment programme I had no problems however a couple of weeks ago I forgot to take my tablet and the thrush came back. This week I took my tablet 2 days late and I have symptoms again (itchy, painful and red).

I don’t get classic symptoms like discharge snd the GP was adamant at first I didn’t have thrush until swabs confirmed. I’ve my bloods checked for Type2 diabetes and all were fine.
Im so down as now I think is this what is going to happen as soon as I stop taking the 6 month course? Will I ever get rid of it?

The only other thing I can think is that my partner has it also but with zero symptoms and we keep passing it back and forward. I suggested this to the GP but she said not possible as he has no symptoms.

What can I do?

OP posts:
CherryRipe1 · 31/03/2025 06:57

I had horrible raging thrush for years and tried everything including the usual anti fungal pills, creams & the anti candida diet. I think mine was triggered by antibiotics and a copper 7 IUD. I took prebiotics and probiotics and it improved then finally went when I had the coil removed. My sympathies op, maybe a naturopath could help but cutting out wheat and sugar possibly helped me too. I think fungus feeds off sugar?

Middleagedstriker · 31/03/2025 06:59

A few things

  1. Always treat your partner he could be asymptomatic
  2. Make sure your toilet paper/pads aren't scented
  3. Diet can help (avoid sugar, processed grains, artificial sweeteners, Citric acid, too much dairy)
Simplelobsterhat · 31/03/2025 07:01

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but had frequent thrush even before my blood sugars got to that. I diet control my diabetes and stopped getting thrush as soon as I started on a low carb / sugar diet. Recently my diet has slipped a bit and I got it again, even though my blood sugars were still in the normal range. So maybe even if no diabetes, a lower sugar diet might help?

snowynight · 31/03/2025 07:01

No solutions except sympathy OP - I have the same problem and really disliked taking a powerful antifungal over such a long period. Have you tried a continuous dose pessary? I think they sometimes work better than the tablets as more targeted.

Original poster
SaraAppleseed · 31/03/2025 07:13

@snowynightnope I’ve never had the pessary, I might ask my GP to try something new as clearly this is not working.
thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
SaraAppleseed · 31/03/2025 07:14

@Simplelobsterhati do have a high sugar diet so I might have to consider a diet change to see if things improve. I just assumed as my sugars were normal this wouldn’t be affecting it.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaraAppleseed · 31/03/2025 07:15

@Middleagedstriker
yeah I don’t know why the GP has never offered treat my husband. As I said she was very dismissive last time I mentioned it and just said as he has no symptoms he doesn’t have it.
No scented loo roll on here and I do think I need to address my diet.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaraAppleseed · 31/03/2025 07:16

@CherryRipe1i have a hormonal IUD which is due to be taken out next month. This was my thinking as the thrush seemed to come monthly in line with a menstrual cycle before I started this treatment.

OP posts:
Simplelobsterhat · 31/03/2025 07:17

It might be worth a try. I know I wasn't in the diabetic range when i started getting frequent thrush as I had testing yearly after my gestational diabetes. But the change as soon as I was in the diabetic range and therefore cut down drastically on sugar was noticeable.

CaptainMyCaptain · 31/03/2025 07:22

I had this years ago. It stopped when I stopped using Bio washing powder on a doctor's recommendation. She also suggested applying vaselline before going swimming. I was single at the time so knew a partner wasn't the problem.

CherryRipe1 · 31/03/2025 08:09

SaraAppleseed · 31/03/2025 07:16

@CherryRipe1i have a hormonal IUD which is due to be taken out next month. This was my thinking as the thrush seemed to come monthly in line with a menstrual cycle before I started this treatment.

Sounds suspicious doesn't it?! Hopefully removal gives you some relief but if not it will be a case of trying/eliminating different things, like a medical detective.

Original poster
SaraAppleseed · 02/04/2025 20:15

My husband has now been given treatment even though he is symptom free and I’ve to start again with my 6 month treatment plan and more swab have been taken. The doctor thinks it’s linked to my IUD.

OP posts:
queenofthesuburbs · 02/04/2025 20:36

i think it’s linked with oestrogen production… the ph balance alters and so the fungus can thrive

NoOneKnowsWhoYouAre · 02/04/2025 20:43

I had BV continually when I had a Mirena coil. As soon as it came out it was sorted. I've had recurring thrush before and giving my partner a fluclonazole sorted it for us both.

Iamthemoom · 02/04/2025 20:45

Cutting out all sugar, including breads and flour based products, all products containing yeast and taking high quality Sachromyces Boulardi probiotic capsules daily should get rid of it but you need to stick at it for a good while or it will creep back.

Maverick66 · 02/04/2025 20:56

Is it definitely thrush?
I was tortured with itch when I was premenopausal.
GP took swabs and treated it as thrush but there was never a discharge and swabs were clear .
Things got worse when I was in full blown menopause and I found the only thing that helped were vaginal gels like Vagisil prohydrate.
I would also advise you to look at vaginal atrophy.

Maverick66 · 02/04/2025 20:57

Also certain sweeteners like those in diet drinks were a real antagonist.

BottleBlondeMachiavelli · 02/04/2025 22:20

queenofthesuburbs · 02/04/2025 20:36

i think it’s linked with oestrogen production… the ph balance alters and so the fungus can thrive

For that reason, lactic acid gel could help. It’s often marketed as treatment for BV, but works for thrush too.

FeedMeBrunch · 02/04/2025 22:33

I’ve been in your shoes, was 3 months ish into the long treatment of fluconazole, the thrush always arrived just after my period… then I got pregnant and it never happened again (until 3 months PP when it came back) so it is clearly hormonal. I have been wondering if it’s related to taking the pill so I have come off that, also have a hormone test kit on order as I don’t get anywhere with the GP and I don’t want to take so much fluconazole as that is not treating the cause in my opinion

FeedMeBrunch · 02/04/2025 22:33

Just to add, I find it strange because usually thrush is more likely when pregnant, but for me seems the opposite?

Userxyd · 03/04/2025 02:57

I had this too at all times of the month until I stopped using tampons and switched to a cup - problem solved. @FeedMeBrunchcoukd that be why yours stopped when you were pregnant too?

Yoursselfmysselfandotherss · 03/04/2025 03:06

In desperation I went to our sexual health clinic. They were brilliant, so much better than my GP. I was thoroughly checked and given advice, including treating my partner, even though he didn’t have any symptoms. I was also given a different drug to take. Sorry I can’t remember what it was called but that cleared my thrush completely.

FruitPoppet · 03/04/2025 03:21

I suffered thrush for many years, always a week before my period.
I started taking optibac probiotic for women and found within a few weeks it had stopped. And I stopped getting frequent UTIs also. At the same time I replaced all my knickers and hot washed all my trousers/leggings/jumpsuits.

FeedMeBrunch · 03/04/2025 09:46

Hi @Userxyd thanks so much but I already use a cup 🙁
also the optibac someone else mentioned didn’t work for me, so I guess it’s just different for everyone so a case of trying different things til something works!

Original poster
SaraAppleseed · 03/04/2025 17:16

@Maverick66ive had a positive swab twice with the same symptoms so I think so

OP posts: