Severe thrush - how to treat

[newmum2b]

Hi all, I just found out on Friday that I am pregnant and going by my hormone levels, I am between 5-7 weeks.

I've had terrible thrush for the past 10-days and when I didn't know I was pregnant, I took a canesten tablet and used the cream that came with the tablet. Nothing worked. Then when I found out I was pregnant, I asked the doctor what I can take to help the thrush and he said just canesten cream is all I can have.

Nothing is working - does anyone have any suggestions please. I'm desperate!

[Frantelle]

Have you tried natural youghert (non flavoured) with the acidophilis (sorry do not know how to spell it).

Just apply some to the ahmm affected area.

[newmum2b]

Hi there, thanks for the reply.

Once when I had thrush I attempted to use natural yogurt and found that it actually stung me even more.

It seems as though it's calmed down now. Before bed I apply a cold wet towel to the area and it seems to be helping and I am washing with luke warm water instead of hot water.

Thanks again...

[maranui]

Hi!

Terrible thrush was the first thing that made me think I was pregnant. It was a test before taking the canestan that was positive What a way to find out.

All I can tell you is my experience. I had Canestan cream twice, then used some yogurt "down there" just for sheer relief. By about week 8 it was gone. I tried (and mostly failed) to avoid sugar. And I also think that a probiotic I took helped even everything out.

I'm coming out of the first trimester now and finally feel normal again. Good luck over the next few weeks. I thought it would never end even when people told me it would - and here I am doing the same!

[Smoke Jaguar]

I used canesten cream internally even in my last outbreak at about 20 weeks. I even *gasp* used the applicator! My midwife and I figured that the pamphlet is written by pharmaceutical companies who have to account for the lowest common denominator and therefore must account for the women who will keep inserting past the point of comfort and do a damage to their cervix. I put it in about half way and inserted gently and used the 6 day treatment (more effective than the 3) twice during two really bad outbreaks in 2nd tri.
Also, I inserted acidophilous capsules during the day mid-canesten treatment and also after the course had finished for a little while. Much tidier than yoghurt and depending on what yoghurt you're using, much more good bacteria to 'bomb' the area with!

[willow5]

I went on a yeast and sugar free diet for 10 days which helped clear alot of the yeast, I'm also taking a pro-biotic.
I've been using the canestan cream for the really bad outbreaks but usually within a few days off the cream it flares again, the diet did seem to help with keeping it to a minimum.
I still however get a little of the itch, & swell and am considering inserting a pro-biotic capsule, just a little worried about what the capsule casing is made of? I know it probly sounds like a weird worry but I'm a little weary of putting foreign things in there specially when pg.
Does anyone know what the casings are made from?

[Smoke Jaguar]

Capsule casings are designed to dissolve within a certain amount of time and with your body heat. Usually a gelatine, aren't they? I don't know the answer to that, but I figure if they're safe enough for my gut and absorbtion into my bloodstream, they're fine in my bits.
Also, when I posted about this some months ago now, one of the posters suggested that orgasm was a good way to flush stuff out of your vaginal area...so if you aren't keen on actually DTD (for comfort reasons!), definitely DIY...it's a nice distraction for a few minutes from the horrors of thrush!

[willow5]

Thanks Mayaness, if it's gelatine that would be harmless enough I think I'll give it a go, as for the DTD what's that??? Between being bedridden and sick for the first 17weeks then with the chronic thrush there has definitely been no DTD! I've never heard that about orgasm before I actually thought the female orgasm was good for drawing things up the vagina towards the cervix hence getting the sperm up to where it needs go, but hey there are worse things to try to flush things out Maybe it does a double job gets the little swimmers up where they need to be first then flushes what's not needed out after that makes sense actually.

[JellyBean]

Hon, you need to get on a high quality probiotic ('friendly' bacteria) supplement (from the fridge of your local health food store). Take a capsule every morning before food and last thing before bed. Needs to be kept in fridge. This will also increase your body's absorption of nutrients - important during pregnancy.
Canesten does not treat the cause of the problem (an overgrowth of yeast or bad bacteria in the digestive tract due to insufficient probiotic bacteria) hence why it just keeps coming back.
The reason you get it during pregnancy is that rising estrogen levels can make your body more acidic and less alkaline (as does the pill), making your digestive tract a more hospitable environment for bad bacteria like yeast to flourish. Untreated, the yeast will spread to the reproductive tract in the form of thrush.
Take the probiotics, start having a serve of natural yogurt with a high probiotic count every day (Mundella is good), restrict yeasty or sugary refined foods - especially vegemite and yeasty breads and white grains. Eating a predominantly alkaline diet (wholemeal bread, pasta, rice etc and loads of fresh veg) will ensure the thrush is unlikely to return. Google alkaline diet to find out more. Taking the probiotics durinf breastfeeding will also build the immune function of the growing infant as it enters the breastmilk.

XX

[Smoke Jaguar]

If it's really bad, I'd be doing the canesten at the same time - yep, it treats the symptoms, but those symptoms are horrendous! Once it gets that bad, treat it from a couple of angles, and relieve the itching...there is nothing worse, is there??

[Kirley64]

Ah thrush sux doesn't it I've posted in a few threads about this and Kelly one of the mods seems to be pro at it also
You need to get on a good probiotic (something even better than inner health plus) and on some minerals that contain all the alkalie 'greens'... its seems inliven is the thing on belly belly or I'm taking something called green qi. then cut out sugar of your diet as the candida bacteria feeds of sugar and thats how it multiplies. I've been sticking to things that are 1.5g or less of sugar and no fake sugar (ie. in coke zero) cuz its worse than real sugar.
also get rid of wheat (so gluten free stuff) and yeast. and as someone else suggested, google alkali foods and start eating those kind of things. Take it from someone who has suffered thrush constantly for over 13 years (and i'm only 22) that this diet is hard... i've tried it a few times and even now i just sit and cry from wanting sugar so bad lol... however after doing this again for 4 weeks i can see results and its slowly dying.

[Mez Moz]

Hi ladies

I've just found out I'm pg (4 weeks and 4 days) and have had thrush since conception. Because I'm in my first trimester, I want to use a natural remedy, but yoghurt and tea tree oil haven't worked.

Does anyone know if it's safe to pop a priobiotic pill in your vagina during the first trimester? I swallow one everyday, so I'm thinking it must be OK... Has anyone tried this?

[alioops]

Hi Mee Moz

Im not sure about during pregnancy but a raw garlic clove peeled is very effective. Just put it in overnight and it should fall out in the morning, if it doesn't it is not hard to hook your finger around it and flick it back out.

[BellyBelly]

Yup garlic clove fine in pregnancy, works very well. If it's severe you will need to do it for a few nights at least but you should notice a difference quick.

Lots of ideas and info HERE: Thrush During Pregnancy - Why You Are More Prone To Thrush

[Mez Moz]

Thanks ladies! I'll give it a go tonight...lucky I have some organic garlic in the pantry!