Recurring Vaginal Thrush: Causes, Symptoms & Precautions
Vaginal thrush is a common yeast infection that affects most women at some stage, caused by an overgrowth of, or an allergic reaction to, a yeast called Candida albicans. Common symptoms include pain, itching and vaginal discharge.
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Candida is normal flora for the vagina and most of the time it does not cause any problems. But an imbalance in the body, whether bacterial or hormonal can upset your vagina. If you have had four or more episodes of thrush in a year, your thrush will be classed as recurring.
Chronic yeast infections can be frustrating for patients and doctors, especially since the true cause of recurrent thrush is unknown.
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A candida infection can be easily treated, but some women find that their vaginal thrush is more difficult to treat and tends to occur quite frequently, despite treatment, and there are many factors which can help to explain why you keep getting bouts of thrush. See possible symptoms below:
- itching or irritation around the vagina and vulva
- burning or stinging when weeing
- vaginal discharge – this can be thick and white or thin and watery, without any smell
- pain during sex.
There are a number of factors that can predispose you to recurring vaginal thrush, including
- Pregnancy: Changes in your hormone levels during pregnancy can put you at risk of a vaginal thrush. If you do get it during pregnancy though, it won’t affect your unborn baby.
- Diabetes: The problem with diabetes is blood sugar regulation which is often difficult to control. The higher glucose levels in the blood make Candida infection all the more likely to occur.
- Sanitary Products: You can experience thrush during their period, as sanitary products can irritate the vagina and introduce infection.
- Stress: Stress very often weakens our immune system, making us vulnerable to illnesses such as colds as well as infections such as thrush. So watch the stress.
Precautions You Can Take:
- Washing your underwear in gentle and fragrance free detergent
- Having showers rather than baths
- Washing your lady parts with unperfumed soaps
- Make sure to dry your vagina properly after washing
- Cotton underwear is your best bet
- Avoid wearing tights or tight jeans
- Do not use douches or deodorants on your genitals