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Lubes & Sex
Lubes
Personal lubricants are made from a range of chemicals that could irritate the vestibule skin and increase your risk of thrush. You can find these items on the list of ingredients:​
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Glycerin - A food source for Candida found in many lubes. Avoid.
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Propylene Glycol - An irritant often found in lubes, intimate washes and some condoms. Avoid.
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Alcohol - often used in toy cleaner. Can strip away natural moisture and lead to irritation. Avoid.
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Menthol/ Capsaicin - found in 'tingling' lubes. Can cause inflammation. Avoid.
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What lubes are safe?
YES lubes – specially formulated from natural ingredients, sensitive to the vagina's pH.
​Sutil Luxe – Irritant free, long lasting water-based lube
Sutil Rich – Irritant free, long lasting water-based lube
Sex/ Masturbation
Men can transfer thrush to women through their discharge and skin contact and vice versa. Whilst most frequently we see women transferring it to men, partners should be treated at the same time for thrush if the woman is testing positive to stop cross-contamination.
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Women who have sex/ engage in masturbation should ensure they make themselves dry as soon as possible after activity. This is because the moisture left can lead to a proliferation in candida that likes warm moist environments.
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Excise caution with sex toys made with:
– Jelly
– Latex
– Rubber
These are all porous materials, which can be difficult to keep clean, throw the vaginal microbiome off and trigger thrush.
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Sometimes, the male microbiome which is more alkaline than the woman's vaginal pH, throws the balance off, leading to vaginal dysbiosis. The friction caused during sex can also bring on an attack of thrush. If this keeps happening, avoid penetrative intercourse or activity until both you and your partner has spoken to a vulva derm and have a clear treatment plan.