Support

Chronic Thrush

 

It can be extremely debilitating, constantly developing thrush and it's frustrating the medical system does not treat the infection seriously enough, particularly when it keeps coming back. ​

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Ultimately, there's not enough research to de facto explain why in your particular case, it keeps returning. 

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However, it likely has something to do with dysbiosis in the microbiome due to a variety of factors:

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Risk Factors

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Environmental changes that allow candida overgrowth are:

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• Antibiotic use, by killing off lactobacilli candida, has no competition for sugars and can easily overgrow. 

• High sugar diet, eating foods and drinks filled with simple sugars like sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks and alcohol over a sustained period, allows for candida overgrowth. People who suffer from diabetes are at increased risk due to more freely available sugar in the blood. 

• Immune system compromise. This can be brought on by sustained psychological stress or having a break after an intense work period. HIV/ AIDs patients have a higher risk of candida infection. Alcohol consumption also increases your risk of thrush by knocking your immune system.  

• Contraceptive use.

  • The coil (both hormonal and copper) is associated with an increased risk of yeast infections as it allows biofilm formation and the microbe to evade the immune system.

  • Contraceptives that increase levels of oestrogen have also been found to increase the risk of thrush, as oestrogen allows sugar deposits in the vaginal wall. 

• Lifestyle factors.

  • Many mainstream lubricants contain glycerine - sugar which increases the risk of thrush. Women should use brands without sugar like YES which contain no extra sugar.

  • Douching, bubble baths/ soaks and feminine products are associated with decreased numbers of lactobacilli which keep candida numbers in check.

  • Certain clothes promote moistness in the vagina which promotes candida growth. Cotton underwear and loose-fitting garments help prevent overgrowth. 

• Pregnancy and hormones. High levels of oestrogen increase the availability of sugar in the vaginal wall which feeds candida. 

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If you are frustrated at the amount of times you keep getting thrush, visit a vulval clinic or vulvar dermatologist.