Treatment options

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) products available to help women treat intimate health problems, and others available on prescription.

Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants can provide relief from symptoms of vaginal dryness. Lubricants offer short-term relief, whereas moisturisers (gels and pessaries) are a longer-term solution.

Moisturisers should be used according to the product directions to ease itching, irritation and discomfort. 

Examples include Replens MD and Balance Activ Moisture Plus. Another option is Gina. There are a host of brands that have slightly different compositions and pHs, so customers may need to try a few different products before they find what works best for them.

Petroleum-based or oil-based lubricants can damage condoms, so extra care must be taken when using these.  

Thrush can be treated with antifungal medication – either as topical treatments (e.g. clotrimazole) or oral capsules (fluconazole). Topical formulations include pessaries, internal creams and external creams.

Many products are sold in combination packs (e.g. pessaries and creams) so that customers can treat internal and external symptoms at the same time.

Examples include the Canesten range. Note that customers who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant should not take oral thrush treatments.

OTC products that reduce the acidity of urine, such as sodium citrate sachets mixed with water, can help relieve cystitis symptoms.

Examples include Cystopurin and CanesOasis. If symptoms are severe, the customer may need antibiotics. 

BV can be treated with OTC gels or creams that help regulate the pH of the vagina. Examples include Balance Activ and Canesbalance.

If a customer is unsure whether she has thrush or BV, she might like to try a testing kit such as Canestest, which should provide the answer.

It is common for BV to come back, usually within three months, and these treatments may need to be used for up to six months if the condition keeps recurring. In some cases, the infection may need to be treated with antibiotics.