The ‘eat & do’ rules for beating thrush

If thrush is spoiling your fun during the warmer months – here’s how to nix it now. Rosie Brogan reports.

Thrush is often mistaken for a nasty STI, but that’s not how it is.

Instead, thrush owes its uncomfortable truth to an overgrowth of yeast (called Candida albicans). For the most part, this yeast happily lives in your vagina, but when its growth gets out of control, you develop thrush.

Things that can throw this yeast’s balance off-whack include antibiotics, pregnancy, contraceptive pills, diabetes or certain immune system disorders. There’s also a mystery factor to thrush – not all triggers are traceable.

“When women get thrush after a course of antibiotics it is often due to the loss of good bacteria from the vagina,” explains GP Dr Joe Kosterich. [source 1a]

Essentially, various factors may disrupt healthy bacteria levels inside your privates, causing thrush to settle in.

What to eat to beat it

Raise your intake of good bacteria.

“A healthy intestine needs to have around two kilograms of good bacteria to help with the absorption of food,” says Kosterich. “When they are gone problems occur.”

The good news, he says, is that the right diet can do much to correct the imbalance.

Naturally-set yoghurt is a great source of good bacteria.

But also, says Kosterich, “cut down on processed foods and increase your intake of real foods such as fruits, vegetables and legumes. Seek out grass fed meats. Consider taking a probiotic.”

What to do to prevent it coming back

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre recommend this plan of attack:

• Ditch the use of soap when washing down below. The same goes for perfumed products. Soap substitutes are gentler. Try Sorbolene washes or creams.
• Don’t opt for perfumed toilet paper, pads or tampons.
• Go for cotton or natural fibres when buying underpants. Synthetic undies are, again, harsher on your vulva area. Tight fitting pants have a similar effect.
• Also avoid fabric softeners.

All the best for a thrush-free season!