I had never experienced the nightmare of thrush until I was pregnant, and I suffered in silence at first because I had no idea what is was. I thought it was one of the growing lists of pregnancy related crosses I must bear. I used to wake up every morning dreading that day ahead, because I knew I had to deal with the itching which is not in the most acceptable place to scratch! I used to literally sit at my desk and squirm as if I had ants in my pants. This in turn lead to soreness, which was just as bad if not worse than the itching, as it was constant.
When I learned that I had thrush after a chat with my mum, I felt like many other women do. I was convinced I was unclean, and that there was a stigma surrounding thrush. However, as I started talking with my friends, I discovered that it is a very common problem, but because of the location of the affected area, nobody seems that keen to talk about it, but official statistics provided by www.canesten.co.uk, show that 75% of women will suffer from thrush at least once in their lives.
WHAT IS THRUSH?
Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida. This yeast normally lives in your body quite happily without doing you any harm. But when the natural pH balance of your vagina is upset - which can easily happen - Candida can multiply. And that's when you may start to itch. It is not just a female problem either. Men are not immune. They can get it too, though only a few develop the rash and itchiness. Most male sufferers act as carriers, without actually having the symptoms. However, they can catch it from having sexual contact with someone suffering from thrush, so I would always say that even if your partner shows no signs of having thrush, still treat them with whatever medication you use.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE IT?
Normally, the first and most obvious symptom is the itchiness, which will in turn cause redness, and I frequently have a burning sensation, so going to the loo is grit your teeth time. Sometimes thrush causes a thick discharge, but not every time.
WHAT CAUSES THRUSH?
As I have mentioned, it all happens when the natural PH levels in your vagina are upset, and there are many reasons that this can happen. These include:
Having your period, or being due
Taking the contraceptive pill
Sexual Intercourse
Pregnancy
Using bubble baths, especially if they have strong scents
Stress
Antibiotics
The most common cause seems to be wearing tight synthetic clothes which do not allow the air to circulate.
I THINK I HAVE IT, SO WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
If you recognise some of the symptons for the first time, then make an appointment to see your GP in order that they can confirm thrush. They will recommend a treatment, and should you have any future attacks, you will be able to purchase the same treatment over the counter. Nobody is immune from thrush, and it can strike at any age, however, it is even more important to treat thrush during pregnancy, as evidence shows that it could be passed onto your baby (in the form of oral thrush or other fungal infections) through your birth canal when giving birth. Also it is important to see your GP when you are pregnant, as the treatment they prescribed on other occasions may not be suitable once you are pregnant.
Your GP will most likely prescribe a cream (normally Canesten), which will soothe the burning and itching almost immediately. It comes in the form of cream, or a pessary, or a combination of both methods, which is even more effective. You may also hear it being referred to as Clotrimazole cream, but this is just the chemical name for Canesten.
Canesten is not the cheapest medication when bought over the counter, and can sometimes be as much as £11 or over for the combined cream and pessary, although I paid just over three pounds for the cream, but it is well worth every penny when you have thrush.
This product has not yet been reviewed.
24.03.2005 16:11
good op, ive tried it but a bit messy! hannah
24.10.2003 18:19
well written
23.11.2002 20:58
I find antbiotics bring this on,and canesten is very good,excellent op,take care,pat.