Factors known to increase the risk of thrush:

• Use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill off the ‘good’ bacteria which control the growth of yeast. Some antibiotics are particularly associated with causing thrush.
• Diabetes. If your blood sugar levels are poorly controlled, yeast may grow out of control.
• Drugs. Some drugs, for example steroids and drugs which suppress the immune system, encourage the growth of yeast or interfere with the body’s control mechanisms.
• Hormonal changes. Many women get their first attack of thrush when they are pregnant. Pregnant seems to produce an environment for yeast to grow. Older contraceptive pills containing high doses of oestrogen were found to make some women more susceptible to thrush, but the new lower dose contraceptives have smaller amounts of hormones and seem less likely to trigger thrush. You may notice that thrush often develops before a period, possibly due to hormonal changes.
• Other Factor. Some women find that using bath oils, perfumed soaps or vaginal deodorants seem to cause thrush. Sexual intercourse may also bring on an attack of thrush or make symptoms worse.

Self-help during an attack of thrush.
If you cannot get to a doctor or chemist immediately, try washing in a diluted salt solution (one teaspoon of table salt to one pint of water in a basin) or take a salt bath. This soothes the tissues and prevents growth of yeast.

Other ways you can help yourself include:

Some women find that they can help prevent attacks of thrush but a minority, despite all their best efforts, continue to get it.

Checklist to help prevent thrush