Thrush

Some people with thrush won't notice any signs or symptoms at all. In other cases there's too much yeast, and that's when it can cause symptoms.

If you have thrush, you may notice these symptoms:

• white vaginal discharge (often like cottage cheese), which does not usually smell
• itching and irritation around the vagina
• soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee

Thrush in men can show up in a few ways. You may notice:

• irritation, burning and redness 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 can also show up on other areas of skin, such as the armpits, the groin and between your fingers.

The symptoms in these areas include:

• a red rash that itches or hurts (the rash might not be easy to see on darker skin)
• white or yellow discharge

• you have symptoms of thrush for the first time
• you are under 16 or over 60 and have thrush
• your thrush keeps coming back (more than 4 times in 12 months)
• treatment for thrush has not worked
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding and have thrush
• you have thrush and a weakened immune system, for example because of diabetes, HIV or chemotherapy

The test for thrush takes only a few seconds. It isn't usually painful, though you may feel some discomfort for a moment.

You don't always need a test for thrush. If you do have one, a doctor or nurse may:

• look at the genital area
• use a swab (cotton bud) to collect a sample from the parts of the body that could be affected, such as the vagina

Thrush can cause symptoms similar to some STIs, so if you think you may be at risk of an STI, it's important to seek advice.

Treatment for thrush is simple, and you only need it if you have signs and symptoms of the infection.

You may be given:

• antifungal cream to apply to the genital area
• vaginal pessaries (tablets that you put into your vagina)
• oral pills
• a combination of treatments

Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to use the treatment. Take it exactly as instructed, and finish the whole course even if the symptoms go away earlier. This matters a great deal.

If you've been diagnosed with thrush before and you know the symptoms, you can buy antifungal treatments from most pharmacies.

Some antifungal products can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps. If this is your method of contraception, you should avoid sex while you are being treated.

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you're pregnant, might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding. This may affect the type of treatment you're given.

Thrush that isn't treated will eventually go away on its own. Your partner(s) don't need treatment unless they have signs and symptoms of thrush too.

Your chances of developing thrush go up if:

• your skin is irritated or damaged
• you're taking antibiotics
• you have poorly controlled diabetes
• you have a weakened immune system (for example, you're having chemotherapy or living with HIV)
• you're having hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• you're pregnant
• you use products that irritate the skin, such as perfumed products, bubble baths or vaginal washing products

Different things trigger thrush in different people. If you notice a pattern in your own case, you may be able to help keep it under control.

There are steps you can take to ease the symptoms and to stop thrush coming back.

• use a soap substitute (emollient) to add moisture instead of soap, as some pharmacies stock these
• use non-soap bath additives, such as unfragranced bath oil, instead of bubble bath
• dry properly after washing
• wear cotton underwear
• avoid sex until thrush has cleared up if sex is uncomfortable
• if you do have sex, make sure your vagina is well-lubricated

• don't use soaps on or near your genital area, as they can dry the skin
• don't let products like shampoo or conditioner run onto your genital area
• don't use bubble baths, essential oils, soap or shower gels in the bath, because they'll run onto the genital skin and cause irritation
• don't use wet wipes on the genital skin
• don't use feminine washing products, even if they say they are pH balanced, as they disrupt the healthy bacteria in the vagina
• don't 'douche' (wash out the vagina with water or other products), as it damages the healthy vaginal organisms and changes their natural balance
• don't wear tight underwear, tights, tight trousers or jeans
• don't use fabric softeners

If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic for another condition, remind them that you tend to get thrush and ask for some preventive treatment for thrush at the same time.

Some people get thrush only once. Others get it several times.

If you keep getting thrush (more than 4 times in 12 months), you may need to take treatment for longer. When thrush keeps coming back, the doctor or nurse will want to check that another condition, such as diabetes, isn't the cause.

They'll also tell you how often you should use the treatment.