Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Thrush

What causes thrush?

Thrush is not usually transmitted sexually, but having sex can irritate the vagina and make symptoms more obvious.

Most women will have an episode of thrush at least once in their lifetime. For a small group of women, troublesome, recurrent thrush can occur for no apparent reason.

Other factors that can encourage candida to multiply and result in thrush include:

• taking antibiotics (some women develop thrush after taking antibiotics and other medication for another illness)
• using a vaginal deodorant or perfumed bubble bath
• using perfumed fabric softener
• using baby or alcohol wipes on the genital skin
• broken skin which is inflamed and irritated
• wearing nylon underwear or tight-fitting trousers (a moist, warm environment helps the yeast to flourish)
• pregnancy
• diabetes.

Thrush can also affect men, particularly those who are not circumcised.

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Symptoms of thrush

Symptoms of thrush can appear when candida yeast multiplies in the vagina. Usually the candida yeast is prevented from multiplying and causing discomfort by other harmless bacteria living in and on the body. However, when these conditions change, symptoms of thrush can occur. Symptoms of thrush include:

• itching, soreness and swelling around the genital area
• a thick, white discharge
• burning discomfort during sex
• pain when peeing.

If you think that you may have thrush, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist who can offer treatment on the basis of your symptoms. Testing is not always necessary.

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How thrush is diagnosed

If your thrush symptoms don't improve after using a treatment purchased from your pharmacy, it may be necessary to get checked at your local GP surgery, or a sexual health service (for example a family planning or sexual health service).

Testing for thrush is simple and straightforward. The nurse or doctor will usually use a swab to take a sample of cells from the vagina. A swab looks a bit like a cotton bud and collecting a sample only takes a few minutes.

Though this is not painful, it may be a little uncomfortable for a moment. The sample may be examined under a microscope while you are at the sexual health service. This means that if you do have thrush, treatment can be started without delay.

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How thrush is treated

Treatment for thrush is usually simple. A cream can be applied to the affected area to relieve the itching and soreness, and women may be given special tablets (known as ‘pessaries’) to insert directly into the vagina. You might also be given a tablet to take by mouth.

Some creams that are used for the treatment of thrush can weaken latex condoms, contraceptive diaphragms and caps. Antibiotics used to treat vaginal infections may also interact with the oral contraceptive pill and the contraceptive patch.

Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.

Always tell the doctor or nurse if you are pregnant or think you might be, or if you are breastfeeding. This may affect the type of treatment you are given.

You will not pass on thrush to your partner if you have sex during an episode of thrush. However, sex can be painful when you have thrush so is best avoided until your symptoms have gone.

You may also wish to seek individual advice from your doctor, nurse or health advisor about having sex while receiving treatment for thrush.

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Self help tips for thrush

Some women find it helps alleviate symptoms to dip a tampon into natural yoghurt and insert it into the vagina.

The bacteria in the yoghurt can help to soothe and treat the infection. If you want to try this self-help method, make sure you use live, plain yoghurt, which is sometimes labelled ‘Bio’ yoghurt.

It can also help if you limit or stop using soap for a few days, and wear loose cotton clothing without any underwear.

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How to help prevent thrush

Some women experience repeat infections of thrush, and it is not clear what causes this. If this becomes a problem, discuss your options with a doctor, nurse or health advisor.

There are a number of things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of thrush:

• avoid wearing tights, nylon underwear or tight trousers or jeans
• avoid using perfumed soaps or bubble bath, vaginal deodorants and disinfectants
• stop using perfumed fabric softener when washing towels and underwear
• consider washing your body with a soap substitute (your pharmacist can advise what's best for you)
• avoid using baby or alcohol wipes on your genital skin
• after going to the toilet, always wipe from the front to the back to avoid transferring germs to the vagina
• if you get thrush when you use antibiotics, it may be worth asking your doctor to prescribe treatment for thrush at the same time.

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Thrush and your sexual partner

Thrush is not usually passed on to someone else, for example by having sex, so your partner probably won’t need treatment for thrush.

Men are less likely to get thrush, although some men can develop an irritation as a result of a reaction to the yeast.

If it is necessary to treat your partner, a cream can help. Talk with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice.

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