Thrush 3 days before FET

[raverg]

Hi everyone,

I am booked for a natural FET on Monday (I didn't take anything this cycle, not even progesterone) and the Friday before I discovered that my discharge looked like cottage cheese and I may be getting thrush. Which I haven't had in years!

Has this happened to anyone else before their FET? What did your clinic advise you, and what was your outcome?

The only difference in this cycle is that I've done acupuncture and right before the thrush, I've had a vulva cyst recur (which showed up during the first transfer as well but at the time due to the progesterone pessaries, and for which I had to take an antibiotic and the transfer resulted in a chemical). But the vulva cyst from this cycle resolved on its own with the help of sitz baths with Epsom salts and Fucidin cream. I'm wondering whether those contributed to my thrush.

Either way, any recommendations and tips welcome, as my clinic wasn't very helpful and they just told me I can go see a GP or postpone my FET.

[Mrs_MT]

Hi Raverg, I didn’t have thrust before my transfer but I got thrush a couple of days after my transfer. Completely different experience, but I did the over the counter canestan treatment (internal cream) which sorted it in 1-2 days. That round ended up being our successful round. Shame your clinic isn’t more helpful; I’d want to know if there’s a chance a bit of that thrush could be transferred into your womb during the transfer. Not sure what could have caused your thrush (mine was the pessaries). Hoping you have found a way forward that works for you by now x

[raverg in reply to Mrs_MT]

In the end I spoke to a virtual GP who said to use the 1 Canesten pessary treatment, as they prescribe it in pregnancy all the time. The clinic got back to me today saying that there’s no evidence to say thrush can affect a FET, and that Canesten is usually fine, as long as a GP can prescribe it to me. Thank you for your encouraging words!

[Eggfreezer2015]

I had thrush a week or so before my transfer and did the canestan pessary, not oral tablet. My consultant did say it would not affect outcome but could postpone if I wished. I chose not to and that’s my round which ended up with a BFP. Good luck, go with your gut instinct if you’re not getting any joy from your clinic. May be even go to a pharmacist and see if they give you any advice x

[raverg in reply to Eggfreezer2015]

I think I’m going to go ahead with it! Especially after these encouraging stories. But I even found a study (not sure how good it is but it’s there) where a Canesten pessary administered 7 days before can increase chances. Fingers crossed. In the end a virtual Bupa GP told me I could take a Canesten pessary as they give it to pregnant women all the time. And the clinic today said that there’s no evidence it can affect outcome. That Canesten should be okay as long as a GP prescribes it to me. Thank you for your help!

[Eggfreezer2015 in reply to raverg]

I think I recall reading that study too, now you mention it. Given that many of us use canesflor pre and post transfer, to aid with lactobacillus down there, I think it should be ok. Glad you managed to speak to BUPA too! You can get this pessary over the counter, I did, in case you can’t get hold off your GP in time. You can perhaps call and check with BUPA for peace of mind. Wish you all the best and if you want to, do let us know how you get on xx

[Kmcdon]

I was the same, I had thrush just a couple of days before transfer. My clinic advised me to take pessary (definitely not oral tablet) and use external cream as well. They said it wouldn’t have any impact and it was better I was comfortable. Annoying that your clinic are being so unhelpful. Hope you get it sorted. Xx

[raverg in reply to Kmcdon]

I heard from my clinic again today and they said the same, that there’s no evidence it can affect the FET and that a Canesten pessary should be fine as long as a GP prescribes it. I had already spoken to a Bupa GP last night who recommended the Canesten pessary, so I administered it already and will hope for the best for Monday. Thank you for your help!

[Kmcdon in reply to raverg]

Best of luck. Xx