On the one hand, there are some pretty great elements: the vaginaโs ability to self-cleanse, for example. Vaginas are amazing; but they can come with their own set of complications (at best) and uncomfortable, painful issues (at worst). One such issue? Vaginal thrush.
Show me someone with a vagina whoโs never suffered from vaginal thrush and Iโll be begging them for their secret within two minutes. Which of us hasnโt been there? Itching that feels like it can only be soothed by running ice cubes back and forth over the vulva; a twanging pain that may as well be someone stabbing a needle repeatedly into the vaginal wall as you walk upstairs; a thick, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge; the list goes on.
Vaginal thrush symptoms arenโt fun, to say the least; but, regrettably, thrush is common.
In fact, around 75% of people will contract thrush during their lifetime, says Claire Bailey: Consultant Gynaecologist at The Vulval Clinic.
โThrush refers to an infection caused by the fungus (yeast) Candida,โ Bailey tells me. โCandida normally lives on the skin and in the mouth, intestines and vagina without causing any problems or symptoms. Numbers of the organism are kept under control by the surrounding bacteria. If there is an imbalance of bacteria, however, it is possible for the Candida species to increase in number.
โWhen there is an overgrowth of the fungal organism, Candidiasis or โthrushโ occurs,โ Bailey continues. โThis happens most commonly in the vagina.โ
Chances are, youโll be familiar with vaginal thrush symptoms โ but Dr Sam Wild, Womenโs Health Clinical Lead for Bupa Health Clinics, points out that thrush may not always appear in the way weโd expect. โSometimes, vaginal thrush has no symptoms, so you might not realise you need treatment,โ Wild warns. โHowever, it can manifest in itching or soreness in or around your vulva, along with experiencing thick, white vaginal discharge. You may also find sex painful, along with peeing; [and] thrush can also affect [all] genders in other skin areas, like between your fingers and in your armpits or groin.โ
It seems somewhat superfluous, then, to say that thrush isnโt a condition anyone wants to get. But if you get it once or twice for a few days โ or an episode that โclears up within 7 to 14 daysโ, as Wild says is usual โ think yourself lucky: because itโs possible to get it for up to three years or more.
Yes, you did read that right. Frequent, recurring or even constant vaginal thrush sounds like the stuff of gynaecological nightmares; but it happens.
โThrush is usually easily treated with over-the-counter medication,โ says Bailey. โ[But] it is possible for thrush to be an ongoing problem with symptoms lasting more than three years. In such cases, it is important to see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
โThis can be done by taking a swab from the vagina,โ Bailey goes on. โYour doctor can then determine whether the Candida infection is recurrent (being effectively treated but recurring soon after treatment) or is resistant to traditional first line treatmentsโ: which include โantifungal creams and vaginal pessariesโ, Bailey says. โRecurrent thrush is defined as four or more episodes in 12 months.โ
If youโre struggling with recurring thrush โ youโve had it more than four times in the last year โ speak to a GP or a sexual health clinic.
So: why does three-year long recurrent thrush happen?
โItโs not always clear why some people suffer from recurring thrush,โ muses Wild. โHowever, itโs thought that your bodyโs individual bacteria levels and immune system may contribute to a higher chance of developing recurring thrush.โ
When it comes to vaginal thrush treatment for when youโve struggled with thrush for three years or more, itโs vital to seek professional advice. โIf youโre struggling with recurring thrush โ youโve had it more than four times in the last year โ speak to a GP or a sexual health clinic,โ Wild emphasises. โ[They] will help to check whether thereโs something specific [thatโs] leading to recurring thrush โ for example, having your period or any medications or underlying illnesses. Once any other potential cause has been established, youโll be given personal recommendations on how often you should use thrush treatment.โ
Bailey agrees. โOccasionally, routine antifungals do not work,โ she explains of the typical โfirst lineโ treatment. โMost thrush infections are caused by the organism Candida albicans which responds well to regular antifungals such as Clotrimazole and Fluconazole. Sometimes, a different Candida is responsible, in which case alternative antifungals may be more efficaciousโ; but youโll need to see a healthcare professional in order to determine this. โProphylactic oral treatment, often taken for six months, can be very useful in managing recurrent Candidiasis,โ Bailey adds. โSpeak with your doctor.โ
And there are some at-home remedies you can try, too: like Dayeโs upcoming Vaginal Microbiome Screening (VMS).
You know the Daye tampons youโve been using and loving? Well, now you can send a used tampon back to Dayeโs lab: and itโll be analysed for vaginal microbiome imbalances. Via online results, itโll confirm if you have thrush in the first place (ideal if you donโt have any symptoms); but itโll also tell you if your microbiome is disrupted, which can often be a precursor to thrush.
In the meantime, Bailey suggests that you โwipe front to back after going to the loo as this stops transfer of Candida from around the anus to the vaginaโ, and that โif symptoms occur around the time of your period, use of tampons rather than [pads] may helpโ; while Wild posits โafter washing, always make sure you dry yourself thoroughlyโ and that you โbe sure to wear breathable cotton underwear that isnโt too tightโ, together with making sure a previous vaginal thrush infection has fully cleared up before you have sex.ย
And one crucial vaginal thrush treatment that crops up again and again (and again): leave your vagina alone. โSwap out perfumed soaps or shower gels for waterโ, Wild implores; while Bailey states: โDo not overwash [or] douche the vaginaโ.ย
So if youโve been struggling with vaginal thrush symptoms for more than three years: donโt despair. There are vaginal thrush treatments out there: just make an appointment with a healthcare professional (and get your vagina screened, whether via Dayeโs VMS or otherwise) and go from there.
