Recurrent thrush

Thrush is common! 75% of women will suffer from a thrush infection in their lifetime. Women don’t always know that they have thrush; it can be incidentally reported on a swab. If detected, it should be treated. Unlike the majority of the bugs that can grow in the vagina, thrush is not a bacteria. Thrush is a fungal (also termed a yeast) infection, usually caused by the species Candida albicans. An occasional thrush infection does not warrant investigation and can be treated with over the counter anti-fungal medication. Symptoms that indicate a thrush infection are a thick white vaginal discharge, often likened in appearance to cottage cheese, vulvovaginal itching, soreness as well as pain with sex. With more severe or prolonged infections the vulva can also become affected. This leads to redness of the vulva skin which can be dramatic in some cases.

There can also be fissuring (splitting of the skin) which exacerbates pain. Repeated infections with thrush can have a significant impact on quality of life with mood and sex life being negatively affected.

Swabs from the vagina are needed to establish whether infections are recurring or persistent (where medication is not effectively treating the infection. Claire understands the importance of tailoring investigations and treatment to the individual and long term medication is sometimes necessary.