Thrush is caused by a fungus called candida. It is a natural part of our digestive and vaginal flora. But sometimes we change our internal environment enough for it to really thrive and reproduce at a rate that leads to the symptoms of thrush. Very mild cases of vaginal thrush may clear up within a few days but most need treatment.
POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF VAGINAL THRUSH INCLUDE
- Itching and irritation of the vulva
- Pain on urinating
- Vaginal discharge which is odourless
- Vaginal discharge which is thick and white or thin and watery
- Pain while having sex
- Red and cracked skin around the vulva
- Recurring cystitis (try our soothe + comfort tea for irritation)
- Anxiety
- Pre-menstrual and menstrual problems
If thrush is left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body. It's rare to get serious side-effects from vaginal thrush but it's a clear sign that you are not living a healthy life and therefore shouldn't be ignored.
RISK FACTORS
Thrush can be triggered by:
- Diet - Caffeine (tea, coffee, Coke), sugar (including fruit juice), wheat (yeast in bread), dairy and alcohol. These affect the level of micro-organisms in the body which include vaginal pH and bacterial levels. Also, excess sugar can filter through urine which "feeds" the yeast, encouraging thrush.
- Contraceptive Pill - Sudden changes in hormone levels can alter the vaginal environment. Some women on the pill are more susceptible to recurrent thrush then women who are not on the pill.
- Tight Clothing - Wearing tight clothing and man made fabrics like nylon and polyester, prevent air from reaching the genitals. Warm, moist areas in-between skin folds, is a perfect place for yeast infection.
- Sex & Re-infection - The acidity of semen in some men can alter the pH levels in the vagina, causing thrush. Additional aggravation may also occur during sexual intercourse from friction. Vaginal skin is delicate and you may need additional lubrication to prevent inflammation. Re-infection of thrush during sex without a condom is common. Usually someone with thrush passes it to their partner unknowingly. The infected person treats their thrush but not the partner and when they next have sex, becomes re-infected once more. Re-infection can also occur with sex toys. Always clean sex toys correctly after use.
- Periods - Leaving in tampons or sanitary towels for prolonged periods of time allows micro-organisms to thrive.
- Pregnancy - The change in hormones within the body alters the vagina's pH. This in tern provides sustenance for the candida to thrive.
- Allergic Reactions - Many react to latex condoms, some lubricants or sexual stimulants, perfumes, deodorants and harsh soaps. These can aggravate the vagina or penis. Soaps and deodorants in particular often alter the pH balance in the vagina.
- Antibiotics - These are designed to kill off bacterial infection but in the process will kill all the "good" bacteria living in our body. This leaves just the candida, giving it chance to thrive, increasing the likeliness of thrush.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES
These are changes which you should try to make if you want to avoid getting thrush. If you follow this advice but still get recurring infections I would recommend seeing a herbalist.
- Do not wear tight or synthetic fabric/clothing close to the vagina. Wear cotton briefs, stockings instead of tights and loose-fitting clothes. This allows air to the vagina.
- Wash regularly with specificity formulated washes such as Replens, Lactacyd or Canesten. In addition, bathing the outer vagina with warm water and a few drops of tea tree oil should keep thrush at bay. Tea tree has natural anti-fungal & anti-bacterial properties. Avoid using perfumed soaps, bath additives and deodorants around the genitals. Do not wash and dry yourself too harshly.
- Maintain internal vaginal pH. Some ladies who's vaginal pH levels often alter, benefit from internal gels that help prevent thrush and vaginitis from coming back. Balance Activ, Bio-Fem and Rephresh all maintain pH and bacterial balance. Femigel may also benefit as this contains Tea tree and restores moisture.
- If you are allergic to latex condoms, give Durex Latex-Free condoms a try. These are latex free.
- Change your tampon or towel frequently.
- Adjust or supplement your diet. Cut out caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Fruit contains acids and sugars which may alter the pH of the vagina. Steer towards vegetables and pulses instead. Drink plenty of water and give herbal tea a try if you want a hot beverage.
- Take a Prebiotic and then a Probiotic ("Good bacteria" formulas). These help keep candida levels down. Probiotic formulas assist good gut health, increasing your immunity to infection and maintaining a natural and correct balance of bacteria vs candida albicans.
- Always follow antibiotics with a course of probiotics
- Avoid yeast (minimise bread and mushrooms as much as possible)
HOME REMEDIES
This is what to take while you have an infection.
- Garlic. Slice up a raw clove and have it on a small piece of buttered toast each morning, or get Alicin max capsules which don't taste of garlic at all.
- Bio-live yoghurt. Eat a cup of plain yoghurt 2-3 times a day
- Apple cider vinegar. Put a tablespoon in a glass of warm water each morning, add a dash of lemon juice to help the taste a bit. This will help change the pH of the vagina making it less hospitable for Candida.
- Probiotics. I particularly recommend the Bio-kult brand which make one specifically for thrush.
THRUSH TINCTURE RECIPE
 |
| Marigold |
- Marigold Tincture (Calendula officinalis) 30ml
- Bearberry Tincture (Berberis vulgaris) 10mles a day
- Mugwort Tincture (Artemisia vulgaris) 20ml
- Thyme Tincture (Thymus vulgaris) 5ml
- Echinacea Tincture (Echinacea angustifolia or purpureum) 20ml
- Cinnamon Tincture (Cinnamomum zeylanica) 5ml
- Dandelion root Tincture (Taraxacum officinalis rad.) 10ml
I would recommend taking 10ml 3 times a day while you have symptoms and for a day after they go away.
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| Bearberry |
 |
| Echinacea |
 |
| Dandelion roots |
HERBS
These herbs can be combined any which way you want. But there should be more Anti-fungal herbs than there are immune enhancing ones and just a dash of the blood sugar balancing herbs.
- Anti-funga: Marigold (Calendula officinalis), Bearberry (Berberis vulgaris), Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris).
- Immune enhancing: Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia or purpureum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Nettle seed (Urtica dioica fruct.)
- Blood-sugar balancing: Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanica), Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinalis rad.)
The anti-fungal herbs will help to kill the Candida albicans and improve the balance of flora in the vagina. They are often anti-inflammatory too so will help with the itching and irritation. The immune enhancing herbs help to improve the immune system so that it can combat the Candida itself. The blood-sugar balancing herbs do just that. This helps to stop feeding the Candida as they live off sugars.
PESSARIES
I'd recommend using either Tea tree or Marigold pessaries while you have thrush. Put one in the vagina each night and wear panties to bed as they will melt and leak slightly. Most of it will be absorbed into the vagina. I particularly like to use these if the vagina feels dry and irritated after sex. The friction of sex on a relatively dry vagina can result in Cystitis and Thrush symptoms from the heat created. Pessaries are not easy to find over the counter. I'd recommend seeing one of our herbalists.
Tea tree oil is an natural, antimicrobial agent and will be effective in killing the fungi that cause thrush. Tea tree oil can also have a soothing and numbing effect to combat irritation. Express Chemist sell two vaginal products containing tea tree: Salcura Topida spray and Femigel both are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and soothing - excellent accompaniments to medicinal treatment. Another common methods are putting tea tree oil on a tampon and inserting it into the vagina for a couple of hours, or washing the affected areas with dilute tea tree oil and warm water. You can buy tea tree oil here.
EMOTIONAL CAUSES OF VAGINAL THRUSH
I don't want to over-generalise here so it's important that you know each person will get Thrush for different emotional reasons. These are simply questions worth asking yourself if you experience Thrush. It may not resonate with you at all and that's fine too. These are only suggestions for personal inquiry and how you relate to your body.
Thrush is a pattern of inflammation and irritation with heat. This hints to a possible irritation emotionally relating to sex or intimacy in a more metaphorical sense. I have seen a pattern of Thrush and Cystitis in women who have been sexually abused in the past but this is probably the most extreme emotional explanation of Thrush. Somatisation of emotions are not as literal as sometimes explained. Problems in the vagina are not always in relation to sex itself but rather how we are intimate with others in the emotional sense.
Thrush may point to a more subtle form of sexual discomfort such as for those that grew up in a household which was not supportive of the expression of intimacy through sex. If you have recurring Thrush it's good to question if you're having sex and/or being intimate with the right person? Do you feel like you're being taken advantage of? Are changes occurring which has upset the balance inside you? Is there a sexual passion rising in you which is not being fully expressed?
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