Dr Girl/Dr Kate Q&A

Dr Kate specialises in women's reproductive health and is a representative of MSIA - Marie Stopes International Australia. As the resident doctor at GIRL, she is here to advise and answer all your medical queries.

So if you have a medical question or a concern - send your email to: deardoc@girl.com.au

Dear Dr Kate,

I have had thrush on and off for a few years and have tried pretty much everything but it still reappears every few months. I have tried changing pills and going off it to see if that makes a difference but it doesn't seem to. A friend has suggested Depo Provera injections as they have worked for her and her thrush. I have read a bit about it and one of the side affects can be irregular periods and spotting. Is there any way to tell if I might get that side affect? Because in my mind I don't know what would be worse unpredictable periods or thrush?

Signed Anxious

Dear Anxious,

First of all Depo Provera is not a treatment for thrush. Sometimes taking certain contraceptives can make thrush worse – and hence changing pills or injectables can lead to helping thrush. In your case it sounds like contraceptives aren't making the thrush worse – given that there was no improvement even when you stopped taking them altogether. Hence – I expect that changing to Depo Provera will only have the same result for you as changing pills in the past. In regards to the irregular periods and spotting as a side effect of Depo Provera, it is unfortunately hard to predict if you will be someone who will be affected in this way – the best you can do is trial it and see.

- Dr Kate (deardoc@girl.com.au)