Eating yoghurt WON’T cure thrush – but these 5 things can soothe the painful condition
IF you've ever had it the one thing you are sure of is that you never want it again.
Any woman who has ever had thrush will tell you it's uncomfortable and itchy - and you'll do almost anything to make it stop.
But the old wives' tale that eating yoghurt will cure the infection is just that, an old wives' tale.
Thrush is a common yeast infection that affects most women at some point in their lives.
In most cases the yeast infection is easy to treat, with help from your pharmacists and over-the-counter medications.
But a quick Google search reveals some women have been upping their intake of yoghurt, and even applying it to their vaginas, as a natural remedy for thrush.
But there is very little scientific evidence to back this up.
In a survey of more than 1,000 Australian women in 2003, 40 per cent had tried to use yoghurt to cure or prevent thrush.
Other home remedies included tea tree oil and vinegar.
The theory is that the lactobacillus found in a tub of yoghurt can help re-balance the natural bacteria in your vagina and therefore cure thrush.
Lactobacillus is a type of probiotic bacteria found in our digestive tracts, urinary and genital areas.
It is used as an ingredient in products to treat diarrhoea, general digestion problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, urinary tract infections, thrush and the common cold in adults.
But on it's own in a Greek yoghurt pot it's not going to do all of the above.
Dr Vanessa Mackay, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "There have been suggestions that probiotics like yoghurt can help in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and vaginal thrush, however, there is not enough robust evidence to support this.
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"Putting yoghurt on the vagina may disrupt the vagina’s good bacteria which are there to protect it and this may lead to infection and inflammation.
“Mild thrush can usually be treated with a short course of antifungal medication. The symptoms will usually clear up within a week or two.
"Sleeping without underwear and avoiding tight-fitting underwear, tights and clothes may be beneficial to women with thrush as the infection thrives in warm, moist parts of the body.
"It’s also a good idea to avoid using perfumed soaps, gels and antiseptics near the vagina as these can affect the healthy balance of bacteria and pH levels in the vagina and cause irritation. "Women are advised to use plain, unperfumed soaps to wash the area around the vagina,not inside it, gently every day."
A 2004 study into whether lactobacillus, either ingested or applied vaginally, can help prevent thrush after antibiotics found it to be ineffective.
More than 230 women took part in the study and 23 per cent developed thrush after antibiotics, whether they had taken lactobacillus or not.
Some women reported the yoghurt had a cooling effect, which may explain why women are using the product to treat their thrush.
If you do have thrush, here's five ways you can treat the condition and prevent it from coming back.
1. Topical creams
Topical creams are the way to go if you want instant relief from the irritation of thrush.
Most creams, like Canesten, are available over-the-counter in your local pharmacy.
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They are normally applied to the area two or three times a day and have antifungal properties that can stop the yeasts causing the infection from growing.
One thing you much be careful of when using the creams though - they can weaken latex condoms.
So if you're having sex while using the treatment it's best to use another form of contraception to be on the safe side.
2. Oral medication
Oral medications are a great idea if you don't want to use a cream or pessaries (capsules inserted into the vagina) - more on that later.
The most common ingredients found in thrush medication are fluconazole, which is available over-the-counter and intraconazole, which is only available on prescription.
They are usually a single dose treatment and work by stopping the growth of common types of yeast that cause the infection.
But an oral medication won't help soothe the itching and burning down there instantly, so it might be a good idea to use a cream at the same time to relieve your symptoms.
3. Pessaries
As mentioned above, these are capsules that are inserted into your vagina.
They can be bought in your pharmacy and are often used once daily for about six days.
They work by slowly dissolving and releasing medication that helps treats the abnormal growth of yeast.
But these aren't always everyone's cup of tea.
If you would rather not use a pessary but still want to use an internal treatments then internal creams are also available.
Intravaginal creams are usually only used once and, again, work by treating the source of the yeast infection.
These treatments can also weaken latex condoms, so it's best to use another form of contraception as well.
4. Avoid tight fitting underwear
Tight fitting underwear can create a breeding ground for thrush.
And wearing knickers day and night can cause heat and sweat to build-up down there and that increases your risk of yeast or other types of nasty infections.
And the material your pants are made of can also increase your risk of infection.
Lycra and lace or other non-breathable materials are the worst offenders as they can irritate the delicate skin around your vagina.
In fact, some gynaecologists recommend going commando from time to time to let your vagina breathe.
But cotton is your best option if you absolutely cannot face going commando at any time.
5. Don't wash with soap
You may think you are being cleanly by using soaps, or other feminine products, down there.
But you are actually stripping your vagina of it's natural bacteria, which leaves you open to infection.
Vaginas are self cleaning - they don't need any extra help to keep them fresh - not even soap.
It produces a discharge that is a form of mucus produced from the cervix, the opening of the womb.
It is a completely normal part of female life and is the vagina's way of keeping itself clean and healthy.
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Dr Vanessa Mackay, a gynaecologist and spokeswomen for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, previously told The Sun Online: "Mild soap or a mild shower cream and water is all that you need to wash the outside of your bottom, front and back.
"And you don’t need to wash your vagina – it self-cleans."
If you do have thrush you should speak to your GP about which treatment is right for you, especially if the infection is reoccurring.
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