home links bulletin board about what now? make a comment
vaginal thrush asks...
hey, av got a problem that has affected me for the last 10 years ive just learnt how to live with it tho.. I have vaginal thrush and i often try pik it out, but it never goes. i am sexually active ive recently lost my verginity and i havent told my boyfriend about it, is ther a chnace he could get it. I dnt want to go to the doctors about it or tel my parents as it wd b embarsing, wat over the counter products are available and affordable.
What we suggest...
Hi vaginal thrush, thanks for contacting q2a.
Although thrush isn't a serious condition it is unpleasant, but it is also very common and can be easily treated. As you have been having bouts of it for so long we wonder if you have developed self help ways to deal with it. We mention some methods later in our reply. We would not really recommend you try to remove the infection by picking it out, but rather using accepted medical treatments. As it is a yeasty fungal infection that develops naturally you are not likely to manage to stop attacks in this way.
The following information from www.patient.co.uk contains relevant information about thrush;
# What is thrush?
Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida. Small numbers of Candida commonly live on the skin and around the vaginal area. These are usually harmless. The immune system and the harmless bacteria that also normally live on the skin and in the vagina usually stop Candida from thriving. However, when conditions are good for Candida, it multiplies and may invade the vagina and cause symptoms.
The conditions Candida likes best are warm, moist, airless parts of the body. This is why the vagina is the most common site for Candida infection. Other areas of the body that are prone to Candida infection include the groin, the mouth, and the nappy area in babies.
What are the treatment options for vaginal thrush?
Topical treatments - these are pessaries and creams which you insert into the vagina with an applicator. They contain anti-yeast medicines such as clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole, or miconazole. Commonly, a single large dose inserted into the vagina is sufficient to clear a bout of thrush. However, you may also want to gently rub some anti-yeast cream onto the skin around the vagina (the vulva) for a few days, especially if it is itchy. You can get topical treatments on prescription, or you can buy them at pharmacies without a prescription.
For example a common over the counter treatment is the range of Canesten creams and pessaries. These are available from all high street pharmacies such as Boots, Lloyds and Superdrug. A 15 gram tube of the cream is usually about £3.50. Most pharmacies also produce their own version of Canesten which can be a little cheaper. For more information check out www.canesten.co.uk. It is also available in many supermarkets, and it does have other uses, so by buying a tube you are not declaring that you have thrush. Side-effects to the cream are uncommon, but read the product label for full information.
Tablets - two options are available. Fluconazole, which is taken as a single dose, or itraconazole which is taken as two doses over the course of one day. You can get these treatments on prescription, and you can also buy fluconazole from pharmacies without a prescription. Side-effects are uncommon, but always read the product label for full information. Do not take these if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You may also want to rub some anti-yeast cream onto the skin around the vagina for a few days, especially if it is itchy.
Tablets and topical treatments are equally effective. Tablets are more convenient, but are more expensive than most topical treatments.
What if the treatment does not work?
If you still have symptoms after a week from starting treatment, then see your doctor or nurse. Treatment does not clear symptoms in up to 1 in 5 cases. Reasons why treatment may fail include:
#· The symptoms may not be due to thrush. There are other causes of a vaginal discharge. Also, thrush can occur at the same time as another infection. You may need tests such as vaginal swabs to clarify the cause of the symptoms.
# Most bouts of thrush are caused by Candida albicans. However, about 1 in 10 bouts of thrush are caused by other strains of Candida such as Candida glabrata. These may not be so easily treated with the usual anti-thrush medicines.
# You may not have used the treatment correctly.
#· You may have had a quick recurrence of a new thrush infection. (This is more likely if you are taking antibiotics, or if you have undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes.)
Some other points about vaginal thrush
#· 'Natural' remedies for thrush include: live yoghurt inserted into the vagina; adding vinegar or bicarbonate of soda to a bath to alter the acidity of the vagina; tampons impregnated with tea tree oil.
#· Remember, thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection. Candida is a yeast germ which commonly occurs on the skin and vagina. For reasons not quite clear, it sometimes multiplies to cause symptoms.
# Male sexual partners do not need treatment unless they have symptoms of thrush on their penis. Symptoms in men include redness, itch, and soreness of the foreskin and the head (glans) of the penis. Women do not 'catch' thrush from men who have no symptoms.
# Thrush occurs more commonly in pregnant women, and can be more difficult to clear. It can take several days of topical treatment to clear thrush if you are pregnant.
#
Because thrush develops in warm areas it's a good idea to wear cotton underwear and not to wear tight jeans or tights every day.
If you do have thrush, then this poses no risk to your boyfriend as it isn't sexually transmitted, if however it isn't thrush, there maybe a risk of sexual transmission.
As you have recently become more sexually active we hope you have already got your contraceptive and STI protection sorted. For reference your nearest clinics are;
# Doncaster Contraceptive & Sexual Health Services, East Laith Gate House East Laith Gate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 1JG. Tel 01302 640040. Open Mon 11.30am - 3.30pm. Tues 12.30 - 4.30pm. Wed 2 - 4pm & 5 - 7.30pm. Thur 10am - 2pm. Fri 11.30am - 1.30pm. Sat 10am - 12noon (emergency contraception). Appointments can be made at various sessions during the day and evening.
# Doncaster Royal Infirmary GUM Clinic, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN2 5LT. Tel 01302 553111 / 553112. Open Monday 8am - 6pm (appointments) & 1.30 to 5.20pm (walk-in clinic). Tuesday 8am - 4pm (appointments) & 1.30 to 3.20pm (walk-in clinic). Wednesday - to 6pm (appointments) & 1.30 to 5.20p (walk-in clinic). Thursday 8am - 4pm (appointments) & 1.30 to 3.20 (walk-in clinic). Friday 8am - 5pm (appointments) & 1.50 to 4.20pm (walk-in clinic).
You could mention when you go for contraceptive advice that you are prone to thrush, the nurse may have some good advice for you. Also, another source of information would be nhs direct on 0845 46 47. However we hope a tube of Canesten or similar will soon have relieved all the symptoms of thrush.
Please do email us again, about this or anything else.
Best wishes q2a.
Expert advice and every precaution has been taken to ensure that the information on this page is trustworthy and reliable, but the publishers do not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracy as information can go out of date very quickly. This page gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. With regard to suggested weblinks given in this reply please note that Lancashire County Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
here's what i think about ...