Thrush
Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast fungus, Candida albicans, which is present naturally in the body. It is normally kept under control by harmless bacteria but in some cases the yeast increases quickly, the bacteria cannot control it and thrush develops.
How do you catch it?
Thrush is not necessarily passed on through sexual contact but can sometimes develop after you have had sex. Thrush can be passed from one person to another through unprotected sexual contact.
Thrush may develop quite regularly (3 out of 4 women will get it at some point in their lives; some men can get it too).
Thrush most commonly affects women in their 20s and 30s, and those who are pregnant. It is less common in girls who have not yet started their periods, and women who have started the menopause.
Thrush can also be triggered by:
• antibiotics
• some forms of contraceptives
• strongly scented bath products or intimate body sprays that irritate the vagina
• tight clothing and/or nylon underwear
• uncontrolled diabetes, HIV or other illnesses that affect the immune system
Symptoms
Some people do not experience any symptoms so will not be aware that they have thrush.
If you do have symptoms, they can be:
Women
• thick, white vaginal discharge that may be thick and look like cottage cheese
• itching, soreness round vagina, vulva or anus
• swelling of the vulva
• pain when passing urine
• pain when having sex
• thick, white vaginal discharge that may be thick and look like cottage cheese
• itching, soreness round vagina, vulva or anus
• swelling of the vulva
• pain when passing urine
• pain when having sex
Men
• the penis may become sore, itchy and inflamed.
• thin or thicker discharge, like cottage cheese, under the foreskin.
• redness on the penis or under the foreskin
• pain when passing urine
• the penis may become sore, itchy and inflamed.
• thin or thicker discharge, like cottage cheese, under the foreskin.
• redness on the penis or under the foreskin
• pain when passing urine
Treatment
You can check if you have thrush by taking a test which is free on the NHS. Testing can be done at your GPs, a GUM or sexual health clinic.
Treatment involves anti-fungal cream, vaginal pessaries, pills or a combination of these. Some of these can be bought over the counter at chemists.
If you have had thrush before and you are prescribed an antibiotic for another condition, tell your GP that you tend to get thrush and ask for some treatment for thrush at the same time.
