What is thrush?
Thrush is a yeast infection that usually affects women, but can occasionally affect men. It is very common and can keep coming back. Thrush is caused by a fungus called Candida which grows in warm, moist parts of the body such as the vagina, under a man’s foreskin and sometimes the mouth.
Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), although the irritation it causes can also affect your partner when you have sex. Some of the symptoms (signs) of thrush can be similar to those of other STIs.
What are the symptoms (signs) of thrush?
Common symptoms of thrush are redness, itching, and discomfort in the genital area as well as pain or discomfort when having sex or peeing (urinating). Additional symptoms include;
Women
- Itching and irritation of the vulva (lips) or vagina
- Thick white discharge – sometimes described as like “cottage cheese”
Men
- Difficulty in rolling the foreskin back
- White, creamy substance under the foreskin
Treatment for thrush
Treatment for thrush is through the use anti-fungal medication, which are available over-the-counter in pharmacies. This can take the form of a tablet you swallow, a pessary you insert into your vagina or an anti-fungal cream. Sometimes you will be prescribed a tablet and cream. Thrush should clear up within a week of taking the tablet or using the cream on a daily basis.
You don’t need to treat partners, unless they have symptoms.
Your GP or sexual health clinic can help identify if something is causing your thrush, such as your period or sex. They’ll recommend how often you should use treatment.
What should I do if I think I have thrush?
Thrush has very similar symptoms to a lot of sexually transmitted infections, so if you have had unprotected sex, or if this is your first time having thrush then we would recommend that you visit us. You can call us to book an appointment.
If you have had thrush before and are certain that it is the cause of your discomfort then you can get medication over the counter at a pharmacy. Alternatively you can visit a Devon Sexual Health clinic to be assessed and discuss treatment.
How can I avoid getting thrush?
To avoid getting thrush;
- Don’t use perfumed soap or better still just wash your genital area with water
- Wear loose fitting cotton underwear
- Take showers instead of baths
- Make sure that you dry your genital area properly
- Don’t have sex until the thrush has cleared up
- Ensure good blood sugar control if you have diabetes
Frequently asked questions about
Thrush
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Have I got thrush?
If your genitals are itchy, sore, inflamed or have some white discharge, then you might have thrush. You might also have another STI that has similar symptoms, so pop into a Devon Sexual Health clinic and we’ll get you fixed up.
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Can thrush heal itself?
Mild cases of thrush can clear up on their own but it is more likely to get worse and to keep coming back without treatment. It’s also itchy and painful. Come and see us instead.
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Can thrush make me infertile?
There is no evidence that thrush will make you infertile.
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I’m pregnant, can I pass thrush onto my unborn child?
During pregnancy women often get thrush because of the changes going on in the body, but there’s no evidence that thrush can harm an unborn baby or cause early labour. Some thrush medications can’t be used in pregnancy though so please seek advice from your midwife, your GP, your pharmacist, or from us before treatment.
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How soon after treatment can I start having sex again?
You should wait for the irritation to settle down, usually around 7 days, before having sex.
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How do you get tested for thrush?
Typically a doctor will make a diagnosis by giving you a quick examination and then look at a sample of your discharge under a microscope – this takes about 5 minutes. They may also take a sample to test for sexually transmitted infections.
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Can thrush live outside the body?
Candida can survive on surfaces away from the human body for a time ranging from a few days up to a few months. We don’t worry about this as candida is part of your natural “flora”, which means they are present in low numbers on healthy skin as well as in the lungs and the gut. So small amounts of candida are found commonly on these bits of your body and are nothing to be worried about.
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Can you get thrush from kissing?
No. Small amounts of the Candida fungus are present on our skin and in our mouths as part of our “flora”. However, having thrush in your mouth can be a sign of problems with your immune system, or as a side effect of some asthma inhalers. The symptoms of oral thrush include a thick white coating on the tongue or roof of the mouth which can be removed to show a sore red surface underneath. Please see your GP if you experience this problem.
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Can you get thrush from oral sex?
No. Candida is commonly seen throughout the human body, as part of your “flora”, and is not seen as an STI. Thrush usually occurs by chance, but you are more likely to get it after taking antibiotics, if your blood sugar is rising and falling or if you are having problems with your immune system.
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Is thrush an STI?
No, although the irritation it causes can be passed on to your partner when having sex.
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Can thrush make you bleed?
If your skin becomes very sore it can crack (“fissure”) and bleeding. However bleeding in your genital area is more common with other issues, including STIs. We would recommend that you speak to someone at a Devon Sexual Health Clinic or book an appointment and come and see us.