About thrush
Thrush is a common fungal yeast infection that can affect both men and women. It can affect around 75 percent of women at some point in their lives. It can be more common for women in their 20s and 30s.
It’s caused by a type of yeast called candida. It's usually nothing to worry about, but it can be uncomfortable and happen again.
Vaginal thrush
Vaginal thrush is not a
sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, it can be triggered by sex or, less commonly, passed on during sex. It can transfer to a partner’s penis during sex. There’s no evidence that it can be passed between women who have sex with women.
You can learn about thrush below. Some of these resources listed include photographs of genital thrush.
Thrush in men and women on NHS
Thrush on NHS inform
Thrush (candidiasis) on Brook UK
Causes of thrush
Symptoms develop when the balance of organisms in the vagina change. This allows candida to increase. The change in balance of organisms can happen if:
- your body reacts to candida yeast in your vagina
- candida yeast grows more than usual in your vagina
Candida tends to grow in warm, moist conditions. The cause is not always clear, there are several things that can increase your risk, including:
- taking antibiotics
- irritated or damaged skin
- poorly controlled diabetes
- pregnancy
- having a weakened immune system. For example, because of HIV or chemotherapy
- the combined oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- products that irritate your vagina or vulva, the area surrounding your vagina, such as:
Symptoms
Symptoms can be different for men and women.
Thrush symptoms in women
Common symptoms of thrush in women include:
- thick, white vaginal discharge, often described as resembling cottage cheese, usually without a strong smell
- itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina
- soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee
Thrush symptoms in men
Symptoms of thrush in men include:
- redness, irritation, or burning around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
- a white discharge, like cottage cheese
- an unpleasant smell
- difficulty pulling back the foreskin
Thrush in other areas of your body
Thrush can affect skin in other parts of your body, including:
- armpits
- groin
- between your fingers
This may cause a red, itchy, or painful rash, which sometimes scales over with white or yellow discharge. The rash may be less noticeable on darker skin tones. In some cases, there may be no symptoms at all.
When to get medical help
Contact your doctor or GUM (Sexual Health clinic) if:
- you have symptoms of thrush for the first time
- you have thrush and are under 16 or over 60
- thrush keeps coming back, more than 4 times in 12 months
- treatment for thrush has not worked
- you have thrush and are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you have thrush and a weakened immune system. For example, because of:
Find a
list of surgeries and GPs in Jersey.
Contact
GUM (sexual health) clinic.
All appointments must be prebooked. Call or email to make an appointment:
Diagnosis and treatment
Testing
The test for thrush only takes a few seconds and is usually not painful, although it may feel uncomfortable. It’s not always necessary to have a test for thrush.
If you do need a test, it may involve a doctor or nurse:
- checking and looking at the genital area
- using a swab, like a cotton bud to collect a sample from the parts of the body that could be affected, such as the vagina
As the symptoms of thrush can be similar to some
STIs, it is important to get medical advice if there is any possibility that you may have an
STI.
Treatment
Treatment is simple and only necessary if you have signs and symptoms of thrush.
You may be given:
- antifungal cream to apply to the genital area
- vagginal pessaries. These are tablets that you put into your vagina
- oral antifungal pills
- a combination of these treatments
Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to use the treatment. Follow the instructions given carefully and complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve early.
Repeat infections
If you have had thrush before and recognise the symptoms, antifungal treatments are often available from pharmacies without a prescription.
Pharmacy opening hours
Thrush can sometimes clear up on its own but often needs treatment with antifungal medicines. If you have a partner, usually there’s no need for them to have treatment, unless they also have symptoms of thrush.
Treatment and its effect on contraception
It is important to know that some treatments can weaken some contraceptives such as:
- latex condoms
- diaphragms
- caps
It is recommended that you avoid sex while having treatment. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about the contraceptive you use to find out if it is affected.
Treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
You must tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you’re:
- pregnant
- might be pregnant
- breastfeeding
As this may affect the type of treatment you’re given.
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