Naturopath Approved Thrush Essentials

This week at Jaymes we invited Clinical Naturopath Chloe Shaw from Haus of Health to share her thrush insights and her naturopath approved thrush Essentials list. 

"Let’s be real, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re on fire down there.
The itching, soreness, irritation it’s enough to make anyone feel completely beside themselves.

Vaginal thrush is incredibly common, with more than half of women experiencing it at least once in their lifetime, and around 5% dealing with frequent recurring episodes.

The tricky part? Supporting thrush doesn’t always look the same for every woman. What works beautifully for one person may not be enough for another, which is why I always come back to a few core foundations."

Here are some of my absolute musts when it comes to supporting vaginal thrush:

1) Start with testing

Without testing, we can only assume it’s thrush and often, that’s not actually the case.

Without testing, we can only assume it’s thrush—and often, that’s not actually the case.

I’ve seen women think they’re dealing with thrush when the real issue is bacterial vaginosis, irritation from products, pH imbalance, or even a mixed infection. Testing helps take the guesswork out and means you’re treating what’s actuallygoing on.

2) Choose breathable underwear

One of the easiest swaps I recommend is moving to breathable, moisture-wicking underwear and activewear, thank gosh for Jaymes. 

I personally love bamboo because it feels soft, breathable, and comfortable, especially for women who are prone to irritation. Sometimes, simply changing fabric choices can make a noticeable difference to discomfort or odour.

3) Ditch intimate washes

Many feminine washes, even the ones marketed as “gentle” or “pH balanced” still contain detergents, foaming agents, fragrances, or other ingredients that can disrupt the vaginal environment.

In many cases, stopping these products alone can calm irritation. 

4) Use strain-specific probiotics

Strain-specific probiotics can be a really valuable part of a vaginal health protocol.

5) Track vaginal pH

Tracking pH can be such a useful tool for understanding what’s happening.

A healthy vaginal microbiome is typically slightly acidic, sitting around pH 3.5–4.5. Things like menstrual blood, semen, douching, and certain products can shift this toward a more alkaline state, which may make it easier for unwanted microbes to thrive.

Sometimes the opposite can happen too, this is why context matters and why self-prescribing based on symptoms alone can become confusing.

6) Change out of wet clothes quickly

Wet bikinis, sweaty gym gear, and damp underwear create a warm, moist environment that yeast tends to love.

As simple as it sounds, changing out of wet or sweaty clothes as soon as possible can make a huge difference especially if you’re prone to recurring flare-ups.

7) Choose pH-friendly barrier methods

Some condoms and lubricants can be irritating or alter vaginal pH, so I often recommend choosing pH-friendly options where possible, especially if you notice recurring irritation after sex.

8) Food as medicine

Stable blood sugar levels are incredibly important when supporting recurrent thrush. Protein with every meal helps reduce blood sugar spikes and crashes. This can be one of the hidden drivers that keeps women stuck in the cycle.

I also love antioxidant-rich and antifungal additions like green tea or matcha!! 

9)Topical comfort support

When you’re feeling sore and irritated, sometimes you just want something soothing and comforting to apply externally. Amelia B-clear cream contains boric acid an antifungal as well as lactic acid to support an acidic environment. 

A lot of my clients love having tools like this in their toolkit to provide a little extra comfort and relief during a thrush flare, especially while we’re working on the deeper drivers behind why it keeps coming back.

10) Work with a qualified practitioner

Self-treating recurrent thrush can feel frustrating, exhausting, and honestly a little overwhelming. When you work with someone qualified you’re getting support and a personalised plan that looks at the why behind the recurrence, so you can start seeing real, lasting improvements sooner. 

Chloe xx

Haus of Health Naturopathy