Vaginal Thrush Treatments
Although some women opt for natural treatments most will decide to use over the counter medication. This is because they are both fast and convenient. Before using them always read the instructions carefully. If you're pregnant, think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding always check with your doctor before use.
The quickest and easiest method is to take one tablet containing Fluconazole. Canesten Oral Capsule and Diflucan One are the most well known. The capsule should be swallowed whole with water. You don't need to have it with food. The thrush symptoms should start to disappear within 2 days and be gone within 7 days.
Possible side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and wind. Occasionally you may get a rash or a headache. You shouldn't use this method more than twice within a 6 month period without checking with your doctor.
Another treatment method involves inserting the medication into the vagina. This can be done either as a pessary or in the form of a cream inserted by an applicator. You should note that these pessaries and creams can affect the rubber of condoms and diaphragms so you make want to look for alternative forms of contraception during the treatment period. Again don't use these forms of treatment more than twice within 6 months without seeing your doctor.
Canesten Pessaries contain 100mg of Clotrimazole. One tablet is inserted into the vagina at night for six nights. Possible side effects can include inflammation or swelling which, of course, you get with thrush. So if you use these and your symptoms start getting worse stop using them. Canesten Pessary is a stronger version that uses only one tablet instead of six.
Canesten Internal Cream (used to be called Canesten Once) contains 10% Clotrimazole. It is a single dose treatment and is best inserted via the applicator at night. The symptoms of thrush should disappear within three days. Although it's not difficult to use the applicator if you're not the most supple of women you may want to opt for another form of treatment.
Because thrush usually involves a hot, itchy vulva there are also creams that can be used externally to soothe the inflammation. The cream should be applied 2 or 3 times a day.
Canesten Thrush Cream 2% can be bought separately or combined with other products. The various combinations are - Canesten Combi has the cream and a one dose pessary. Canesten Duo has the cream and the oral capsule while Canesten Cream Combi has the external and internal cream with applicator.
If after 7 days your chosen OTC medication has failed to work then see a doctor. You may not be suffering from a yeast infection and may need another type of medication.