Recurrant Thrush! Frustrated!!

[xlittlexstarx]

I had a Mirena coil fitted a few months back and since then I have had thrush almost constantly, and it is really starting to get me down! For a while I was treating myself, which gave me a few days of relief each time, but finally I went to my GP. She didn't seem to think that it was a big deal and said that she'd never heard of the coil causing thrush before, but did some tests just to make sure it was thrush and nothing else. She gave me an extended dose of treatment and that worked for a few days and then it was back again! It seemed to ease off and not be quite as bad for about two weeks recently, but now it's back with a vengence and it is driving me insane!

My boyfriend has treated himself on a few occasions although he has had no symptoms, just to be sure that he isn't passing it back to me once I've treated myself, but we haven't been having sex for a while now and it's still here.

I make sure I do everything I should (hygiene, cotton underwear, etc) and I'm convinced (even though my GP isn't) that it has something to do with the coil because I've never experienced anything like this before!

I don't know what to do anymore!! Treatment is getting really expensive! Argh!! :crying:

[Sikorah]

What are you using? oral tablet or cream/pessary? combination?

[H-face]

does the doctor know quite how badly it has been affectiing you? if they do and you think they're not bieng very understanding then consider going to see anotehr doctor for a second opinion, or even a gum clinic for more advice.

can the coil not be removed it you think that it is this that is causing the problem? maybe other contraceptive methods might work better for you, maybe discuss it with a family planning nurse or something?

also (not that i know much about thrush) but might it keep reoccuring because you're keeping yourself too clean down there? might be disturbing the natural balance by over cleansing, which might aggravate the thrush? like i said, dont know much about thrush, but just a thought.

[Sa-ra-ra-ra]

Argh, I know what you mean - after getting my coil fitted i certainly get thrush more often than i used to, although not as much as you've said.

When your boyfriend treats himself, does he do it at the same time as you? When we did it, we abstained for a couple of days and both took the tablets and that seemed to help a lot - gave it a couple of days to clear up.

Yeah, as h-face said, being clean is important, but not *too* clean, you need to have something to keep the natural balance. Also, not wearing knickers in bed (or anything if you can help it) is useful...

Sorry i can't be more help :( It might be that as you've got something new there, your vagina needs time to 'adjust' to the fact that your discharge is slightly different... i don't know really.

[SuzyCreamcheese]

It might be worth taking a probiotic supplement every day such as acidophilis.
That can be very effective against recurring thrush or eating live yoghurt every day.

[go_away]

About a year ago I kept getting BV and thrush at the same time, it was horrible :( I found the GUM clinic the best source of advice - they gave me antibiotics for the BV, and a massive tube of aqueous cream to wash with as they said that soaps etc could be what was triggering it (I have a coil too) so I think combined it wasn't helping.

[Randomgirl]

I don't know what to do anymore!! Treatment is getting really expensive! Argh!! :crying:

Not that this is a long term solution to the thrush problem but to save money you can get thrush treatment for free from sexual health clinics.

[xlittlexstarx]

I found the GUM clinic the best source of advice.

I don't mean to sound silly...but do you have to make an appointment at the GUM clinic or do you just go? I've never had to go before...I don't even know where one is in my town...that's bad of me I know...:lol:

[Scary Monster]

Also if you can get appointments, go back to your GP again and again in the meantime.

Most GUM clinics have some drop in sessions and some appointments. You may also find there are sexual health clinics nearer and they may be able to help too. There's a thing on TheSite which will tell you where your nearest one is and the contact details etc.