Started Using Canesten For Vaginal Thrush. Having White And Yellow Discharge With Strong Smell. Advise?

Posted on Tue, 18 Jun 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 Answered on

Thu, 4 Jul 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I started using canesten (3 day cream) for suspected vaginal thrush (white discharge, no bad odor, itching, redness) yesterday. Today, following one use of canesten, the discharge has changed to a white/yellow color and there is quite a strong smell. I will see my doctor about it tomorrow but is this an abnormal reaction to canesten?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (11 minutes later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The yellowish discoloration of the vaginal discharge with a strong smell is likely to be due to a bacterial vaginosis. It is not related to using the anti fungal cream.
You need to take antifungal drugs orally along with antibacterial agent in order to treat any super added infection that is present.
Please do consult your gynecologist for vaginal swab culture and proper prescription.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (4 minutes later)

Thank you for the reply. I will see my doctor as soon as possible, but I do have one follow-up question: is it possible for the anti fungal cream to have made the bacterial infection worse?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (53 minutes later)

Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The anti fungal ointment will not make the bacterial infection worse. It will only help in reducing the itching.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar