If you think you may have thrush, you should check with your caregiver. They may wish to take a sample of the vaginal discharge to look at under a microscope, or take a swab test to send to the pathologist to confirm that it is actually thrush. If the thrush becomes severe you may need some type of anti-fungal medication.
Lifestyle choices
Natural therapies
Medical treatments
Preparations to avoid
Lifestyle choices
Some women will try and encourage an acidic environment in their vagina to discourage the growth of candida, reduce the chances of needing medical treatments or to stop thrush returning soon after treatment. These can include:
Avoiding sweet, yeasty foods. These can encourage the growth of candida and may include limiting cakes, biscuits, chocolate, sugary drinks, tea, coffee, malted products, breads and breadcrumbs, smoked or preserved meats/fish, cheeses, mushrooms, dried fruits, vinegar and soy sauce.
Eating live natural yoghurt with Acidophilus. This can be a normal plain yoghurt or the small milk culture drinks especially designed to do this. You can also purchase lactobacillus capsules or tablets from health food stores (non dairy capsules are available).
Trying to eat well, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Some women will take
Vitamin C, fresh garlic or garlic capsules and
zinc to boost their immune system, helping their body fight the thrush naturally. (Check with your caregiver.)
Avoiding vigorous cleansing of the vagina with lots of perfumed soaps. Your normal vaginal discharge is your body's natural way of cleansing your vagina and keeping the acidity balanced. Soaps or cleansers that 'foam' can remove the natural antifungal environment of the vagina. Using plain water, small amounts of unscented soaps or sorbelene and glycerine cream can help. If you are doing
perineal massage, make sure you try to keep any oils and creams on the outside skin and not inside the vagina.
Looking at stress.