'How I learnt to live with thrush'

Anya, about 1 month

When i use perfumed shower gels i get thrush. My Dr toldme to use Aqueus cream. Its a tub for around £2 from the chemist. Can be used for moisturiser,hand wash and body wash.it works a treat and lasts ages.

Anya, about 1 month

When i use perfumed shower gels i get thrush. My Dr toldme to use Aqueus cream. Its a tub for around £2 from the chemist. Can be used for moisturiser,hand wash and body wash.it works a treat and lasts ages.

Cathy, 3 months

I have been suffering very mild thrush after my period for years now. Only recently has it become a full on thing. I have taken cream and antibiotics- but it doesn't seem to budge. It makes it very difficult to go to school because I have to sit still and try to ignore it and do my work. It is such a sensitive area, it is really horrible.

john, 3 months

I have not had sex since splittling with my ex, really itchy but she said she hasnt got it, and the doctor said you can get thrush from cuts near the effected area as they can be moist and spread and thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection,

Laura, 3 months

I always get thrush at least once a month and it is so so painful and irritating. I googled a few things and I found a product called Biofem. You can buy it from large Boots stores. It is completely amazing and touch wood I haven't had thrush for about 3 months now. I would reccommend giving it a go if you get thrush alot like I did.

Laura, 4 months

I've never really suffered from thrush, and have taken antibiotics obviously for various things over the years and never had any problems. Then about a year ago, I was on amoxycillin for something, and it gave me thrush. I had some once a day antibiotics for glandular swelling earlier this year, and it gave me thrush again! I can't understand why suddenly my body has started reacting in this way, but its not pleasant! I can't believe how expensive thrush treatments are, especially as it seems to be such a common problem for so many of us! I just bought the tablet and it cost me nearly £13!!! Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way!!

Scott, 6 months

It's not only you chicks who suffer! An ex girlfriend gave it to me 15 years ago, I used to have attacks once a year on average. I became diabetic last year and have had 3 attacks already. They always happen when I'm run down

samantha, 7 months

hi im only 18 n i have suffered with thrush alot i keep getin it after my period i dnt no wats goin on can sum one tell me if there the same thank u???

Dash, 7 months

Helena, same for me- I have noticed that I do tend to get thrush just after my period or int he very last day of it. and i do not use tampns ever. So, not sure what it is.

Lauren, 8 months

I cant believe that other people have the same thing! When I first got it I was so scared and told my mum and she made a doctors appointment for me. Since going on the pill I have had recurrent thrush and have had it about 4 times in the last 5 months. It makes me feel really upset and I feel run down and annoyed. It is always the week before my period then goes away. I am thinking about going off the pill as I have cut down on sugar and wear cotton underwear all the time. I have had so much Canesten duo and it costs alot of money. I think I am going to try the yoghurt option. I am glad that other people feel the same

nichola, 10 months

I too suffer quite bad with thrush, presently i'm getting it monthly but have had it frequently in the last 15years. I am currenly back on the tablets 1a week for 3months, I was on it also a year ago for about 6 months, i have used the creams and pesseries and i now feel my body is resistant to it all. I try to do all the things that your not suppose to do but it makes no difference. Im so sick to death of it, and my husband also gets quite frustrated, with it. I havent tried the garlic clove so i will give this a shot, and hope it works. Wasnt sure if there was a certain diet that i could try, but i already cut down sugar and bread. I too have been tested for Diabetes this came back fine . Any other suggestions i would gladly do.

Caitlin, 10 months

Its great to read that I am not the only one suffering this horrible, annoying thing! I am only 18 and ever since I had a subscription for some antibiotics about 6 months ago, thrush has become a regular thing. After my antibiotics i had thrush 5 times in a row, and now its seems to come once a month, the week before my period is due. There are a few good ideas that i have read so i will give a few a try. Sometimes being a woman isnt fun. Thanks!

Rose, about 1 year

I have been suffering with recurrent thrush for about a month and a half now, there has not been more than 2 days where I havent had it or cystitus. They seem to come along to gether for me. I am getting really angry too. It is more sore and inflamed than anything now. The doctors keep giving me treatment such as the pessaries and the pills but the one dosage hasnt worked so far. Now the doctors given me a month of pills and 2 weeks of pessaries to really try and solve it. The strange thing is that in all the swabs and urine samples i have had they have come back clear, apart frm oone which said I had thrush... But its not going... Im trying everything. Its affecting my sex life aswell because when I havet his I dont ave sex for obvious reasons ( makes it worse) but I hope I will get better soon, At this present moment it feels a bit better, but then it does, and then feels bad again later....weird. However, I'm glad to realise that this is as common as people have been tellingme and I'm not a freak of nature and hopefully I will get better!!!

Ann, about 1 year

I have always suffered fro thrush on and off. I have been thrush free periods for up to 4 years. I had the mirena coil removed after having it for 3 years years as I thought it was contributing to my thrush problems. Its been one month so far without the coil and still its been constant once, twice or even more times a month. Sometimes before my period or after. Using pads or tampons makes no difference. I follow all the rules ie no scented soap, I actually do not use soap or showergel full stop.... loose cotton knickers, loose fitting under garments and even wear dresses more during attacks to air myself. All this does not help. I have been on a weekly diaflucan treatments for the past 3 months and still no luck. I have tried live yogurt, vinegar, soaking in a sea salt bath and garlic. I made the mistake of crushing the garlic once and squirting it in, boy it hurt!!!! I am now trying whole cloves overnight. I am at the end of my tether and extremely fed up and its affecting me at work as I am so uncomfortable. Ps someone mentioned an issue regarding your partner passing it on? Yes your partner needs to be treated to ensure that he does not pass it back to you. Candida can live in the foreskin without affecting a man. In fact it lives on our skin but can go crazy and multiply every now and again or for some lucky people never at all. I know I've written a novel but I thought I should share my experience with you ladies out there. You never know we may eventually find out own affordable natural remedy. Good luck to everyone going through this. :-)

Elaine, about 1 year

I had suffered with continual thrush of varying intensity for around two years, trying every preparation available to no avail, when I finally went to my local sexual health clinic, (no its not just a place for sexual diseases). I was told by a gyneacologist there that our bodies actually become over sensitised to the thrush bacteria which in turn makes the symptons worse and more prolonged. The answer was to use a vaginal pessary once a week for 12 months, (given free at a six week check up), my body then began to become less sensitive and for the first time since I could remember I felt comfortable down there. I now then began to use the pessaries only when I needed them, sometime having up to six weeks free of symptons. I have found now however I am getting a new pattern of thrush developing around ovulation, the answer to this is to use a pessary around the time of ovulation and one a week later. I am keeping a diary to see if loads of coffee can bring on an attack, I think it did the other day! I am so glad I took the step to go to the clinic, especially when I think of how much the treatment would have cost on prescription or over the counter

Danielle, about 1 year

I have suffered with thrush on and off for years now and am at a point where I have finally had enough. Like everyone elso on here I have tried every tablet, pessary, cream going, think I could have shares in my local chemist. I know using perfumed soap/shower gels irritate me as does wearing tight non cotton underwear. I also agree with a couple of others about the effect of white wine, I think mine has been triggered several times by that. My main trigger I think is being physically and emotionally run down, my friend always says to me that I always get it when I am racing through life and getting run down and I think she is right. I have another bout of it now and am feeling very run down. Its a massive trigger for me and I think its my body getting out of balance and telling me to slow down, its the first thing that goes on me. Other people get colds etc when they are run down I get thrush. For the bout I have now I have used the oral tablet and the internal cream and its still hanging about. Am hoping I do not have to pay my GP a visit again for a long course of treatment.

tina, about 1 year

Just thought i'd share some good news, i went into sainsbury's with it's own pharmacy and they are selling there own brand diaflucan for £4.99! I felt like buying in bulk!!!!

claire, about 1 year

I have had thrush now on and off for over a year (more on than off if i'm honest) and i am so fed up. I do not have the itching symptoms but i am constantly aware of an odour which i'm sure other people must be aware of (hope not though) I also have a constant discharge. I have been checked out at the doctors and she said there was nothing sinister but i did have thrush. I have just read the comment above about the garlic and am thinking about it although i am slightly daunted by it. But i too can no longer afford to pay £10.00 for treatment every other week.

mandy, about 1 year

I suffered thrush sympyons but without itching,also i had an infection in my womb,which put me in hospital.doctors did'nt know what was wrong.I discovered myself that using tampons caused all of this,as soon as i stopped using them my symptons stopped immediatly.

Di Pearson, about 1 year

It's so good to know that I'm not alone in suffering from this curse! I'd become a regular customer of the local pharmacies around town. so much so that i would visit them in rotation so that they would not get suspicious. how stupid is that? My GP just told me to stop wearing my jeans and suggested a skirt! I've tried some of the remedies above and they do seem to be doing some good. - thanks. I was also recommended some briefs called DermaSilk which have something in them to kill off the fungi and help with the itch. Early days yet but they feel comfy and i'm not itchy any more. I'm keeping with my jeans at the moment.

tina, about 1 year

i have suffered with thrush since i was about 12. I wear cotten underwear, never ever use soap femfresh is good as lactacyd femina can be hard to get but worth it if you can. My main trigger is bread which i try to avoid. I f i have a hot cross bun i know i'll pay the price! Always use white toilet paper, coloured or sented paper can irritate. sorry to be personal but i always go for a wee after sex, and i always wash soon after as this can start it off. Superdrug and lloyds do thier own version of diaflucan which is so much cheeper, My doctor even gave me some swabs to use at home so i could hand in and he would leave me a prescription. Ideally don't use tampons, towels are better but it's not always convenient. I hope some of these tips help fellow sufferes

Natasha, about 1 year

i used to suffer from thrush regularaly and many people told me that by taking the usual creams/antibiotics prescribed by the doctor were making it worse and interferring with my natural PH balance. 1 particular health care professinal advised Garlic and i have never looked back. Jusyt buy an organic Garlic clove, peel it and cut a small amount off at each end of the clove. insert it over night and hey presto, symptoms almost immediately disappear. Just try not to get too intimate with your partner as the smell can be quite empowering for the night that you use it and maybe one night after. Also, never ever use soaps or washes on the vaginal area. i use a soap that is made of olive oil only and is unperfumed. Since using this soap I have not had Thrush at all.

tammy lee, about 1 year

i have had thrush ever since i had my son 13 years ago ive tried everything there is ie live yoghuts,bimuna,tablets oral and cream,cranburry juice,non scented soaps and shower gel,i also had an hysterectomy 9 weeks ago from other problems and the thrush has never gone away can anyone help with this all doctors keep doing is taking swabs and always comes back as thrush

Cathy, about 1 year

I suffered from thrush just about every month, until I stumbled across a feminine wash called Lactacyd Femina, I started using it instead of soap and the difference is amazing! It's only available at phamarcies but you dont need a prescription.

Nicola, about 1 year

I get it at least 6 times a year, - usually just before my period but not always. I have not managed to eliminate it completely but the severity is definitely reduced. My secret? Acidophilus tablets. The same thing that is in the Bio yoghurt drinks but loads more of them! It improves the bacterial balance of the body and I feel they help. I definitely agree with the white wine thing.... Too much sugar, too much yeast (bread, wine) and a run down body seem to kick it off for me!

Victoria, about 1 year

I have suffered with thrush all my life, with varying bouts of a bit annoying to walking around like John Wayne in complete agony! Someone tipped me off a while ago, that has lessened my bouts per year dramatically... don't eat mushrooms or strawberries if you are a big sufferer. Don't ask me why, but I experimented one time, when I didn't have it, by eating a whole load of fried mushrooms with a Sunday morning 'fry up'. Sure enough, the next morning, I had terrible thrush again. I also think that drinking a lot of white wine can act as a trigger as can being run down.

Helen b, over 2 years

I don't think that people are advised as much as they could be that thrush can be a symptom of diabetes. I suffered with thrush for many months trying every cream and tablet available, I wore the correct underwear, stopped using bubble baths and only used products for sensitive skin, but as soon as I got rid of it, it came straight back, it wasn't until I was diagnosed with diabetes and started to receive the correct treatment that the thrush disappeared completely. If you have persistent thrush , maybe a diabetes test could just eliminate that a a possble cause.

Debbie C, over 2 years

I have suffered thrush off and on for years and had various advice from medical people. The confusion and clarity appears to be in that some inform that your partner cannot pass it back and forth to you, but others do. With this comes differing advice on how your partner should be treated if at all. I have come to feel my episodes are relative to excessive white wine intake, but i am not hundred per cent sure. sorry if this is not a concrete solution but i felt worth sharing as a long term sufferer!