Treatment options

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

1. Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants can provide relief from symptoms of vaginal dryness. Lubricants offer short-term relief, whereas moisturisers (in the form of gels and pessaries) provide a longer-term solution. Moisturisers should be used regularly, according to the product directions, to ease itching, irritation and discomfort. Examples include Gina, Replens MD and Balance Activ Moisture Plus. There are a variety of brands that have slightly different compositions and pHs, so customers may need to try a few different products before they find the one that works best for them. Petroleum-based or oil-based lubricants can damage condoms, so extra care must be taken when using these.

2. Thrush can be treated with antifungal medication – either as topical treatments (e.g. clotrimazole) or as 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.)

3. OTC products that reduce the acidity of urine, such as sodium citrate sachets mixed with water, can help to relieve cystitis symptoms. Examples include Cystopurin and Canesten Oasis. If symptoms are severe, the customer may need antibiotics.

4. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can be treated with OTC gels or creams that help to regulate the pH of the vagina. Examples include Balance Activ and Canesbalance. If a customer is unsure whether they has thrush or BV, they 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.