Recurring thrush?

[Thrushhour]

Every month I keep getting what I think is thrush (itchy fanjo with slightly lumpy discharge) a few days before my period. Ive been treating with canesten and it goes away until the next time. I've even made dh take a canesten pill I case he is reinfecting me, but it's back again.

I've started wondering if it could be something else. I've just heard of BV but there's no nasty smell (phew!) and have been with dh for 12 years so it can't be an STI.

I can't get to the doctor for a while, do you have any advice oh MN gurus?

Ps have name changed obviously

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

You need to get this checked out with a doctor as soon as possible. I don't want to be alarmist but this happened to me and it turned out that I am diabetic. My thrush was caused by the extra sugar in my wee. I had thrush 3 times in a month though so it could be something else. Do you have a way to check your blood glucose? Mine was 11.6 first thing in the morning (so after fasting).

Good luck

[Thrushhour]

Ooh, that's a bit worrying Banana. I don't have a way to check my blood sugar. I'll get to the doctors on my next day off.
I wonder if something else could cause it too?

[brighthair]

I struggled with recurring thrush and went to the GP who gave me 6 pessary canesten to use. One a month, whether I had thrush or not and it cleared it totally. I only get it now if on antibiotics

[PuggyMum]

I used to get thrush all the time. It finally cleared up after a course of acidophilus (sp) which is a good bacteria pill from health food shops.

I have never had it since and avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary.

It's horrible when it won't go away.

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

Im sorry to have worried you. Will you come back and let us know how you get on?

[Thrushhour]

Bright and Puggy thanks for your replies - its good to know it can be 'normal' and easily treatable. I have some acidophilus tablets so I will try to remember to take them until I can get to the doctor.
Banana please don't apologise! If nothing else it has given me a kick up the arse to go to the doctor which I was trying to avoid.

[Thrushhour]

Ps I will let you know Banana!

[bacon]

make sure you also treat your DH otherwise you pass it back and for. I suffered in my early 20's it seemed continual.

Check your diet, high sugar, high carbs, fruit, alcohol all makes it worse.

Dont google it though, there are some alternatives out there with no evidence. Leaky gut, pills and potions etc.

I do think diet has a lot to do with it if your tests come back normal. Eat lots of quality natural organic yogurt.

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

Good luck and I hope its nowt serious :-)

[ChestnutsRoastingonaWitchesTit]

I'm suffering too. I'm trying to get to the root of the problem instead of just treating the symptoms (am so bored of canasten!) of what is an overgrowth of candida bacteria in the gut.

I'm taking lactobacillus which is in lots of probiotics and live yoghurt. Eliminate (if you can) all sugars as the candida feeds on sugar. Fingers crossed !

[Thrushhour]

Good luck Chestnuts. I'm not sure I can bare the idea of giving up sugar now it's mulled wine and mince pies season!

[ChestnutsRoastingonaWitchesTit]

God, I know...I have gestational diabetes too so any fun this Christmas is off the cards!

I'm thinking of postponing the whole thing til this baby is out

[tb]

It can be a sign of other auto-immune disorders, too, such as an under-active thyroid.

Also, it can get right through the system including into the bowel, so may need a really heavy-duty antifungal to clear it out.

I ended up having to go into a small village pharmacy on holiday to ask for something. All the elderly biddies were there for a gossip. I slunk to the counter, and muttered 'candida albicans' 'cos I didn't know what thrush was in French.....

....the bloody assistant asked me where it was! Fortunately, I knew the French word 'vagin'. They're probably still talking about it now, 13 years later - must have been the best Saturday afternoon they'd had in a good while

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

How are you TH?

[lifeistooshorttodrinkcheapwine]

TH you might have an intolerance to sugar as opposed to diabetes - i find i get a bit manic if i eat sugary foods and my glucose levels can be high- ish eg 6 which is within the normal range but high (i think). I get candida if i have antibiotics - thrush and in my stomach and bowel - its horrible! i had two lots of antibios foe a breast abscess in the june and am suffering now - i've been taking acidopholous, and prebiotics and cut out yeasty foods and sugar. i also take caneston and try to build up my immune system by eating healthily and keeping fitand getting a good night's sleep

[sleeplessinsuburbia]

I started taking cranberry vitamins(?) daily and this is the longest I've ever gone without it!

[ThrushHour]

Banana thanks for your concern. I haven't been to the doctor yet as I've been busy with work recently and also I dont have symptoms just now. I used canesten combi last week which has cleared it up for now. I think I need to go when I'm suffering so she can do a swab.
lifeistoo you could be right. I've always had a very sweet tooth (and luckily don't put weight on so I do indulge!)
Sleepless does cranberry work for thrush? I always thought it was just for cystitis, which used to plague me when I was younger (they do call it the honeymoon disease not the married 40 something mummy disease, lol!!)

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

Glad you are not suffering at the moment

[MULLYPEEP]

Have you changed tampon makes? Boots own tampons gave me thrush every month for 4 months til I realised.

[sleeplessinsuburbia]

I was desperate so was told to try the cranberry. No idea if its proven or intended for thrush but this is the longest I've been without thrush so I'll keep going while I'm pregnant.

[nightcat]

OP, take a zinc supplement as fungal infections are linked to zinc deficiency

[ThrushHour]

Ok I grew a pair today and went to the doctor. He said its common to have it because of higher oestrogen at certain times of the month. He has given me 6 canesten pills to take - one a month for 6 months.
He didn't seem concerned about anything else causing it - but didn't swap (phew!) as I don't currently have symptoms.
Thanks all for the advice, I have bought some of the supplements you've mentioned. Hoping against hope I don't need to alter my diet.

[sleeplessinsuburbia]

Just read night cats suggestion about zinc, I started that the same time as the cranberry so maybe that is why it worked?!

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

I'm really pleased that you have been and that your GP has helped. Also glad it isn't anything more. Glad you have some treatment. Hope it clears up and stays that way.

[sleeplessinsuburbia]

I investigated the cranberry, apparently it's better if you're on the acidic side rather than alkaline which is why in theory it might work!