Thrush

What is thrush?

Thrush is a very common yeast infection that can affect the genitals, or mouth. It is usually harmless but can become recurring which may be uncomfortable. It can be transmitted through sexual intercourse; however, it is not an STI. 

Symptoms of Thrush

Genital thrush symptoms differ between males and females. If you have thrush in other areas such as the groin, mouth or underarms, you may experience a red itchy or painful rash with yellow or white discharge. If you have a darker skin tone you may not notice the rash. If you have oral thrush, you may have white patches on your tongue or inside of the mouth.  

Female symptoms

If you have a vagina, you may experience:  

• Thick, white, clumpy discharge that resembles cottage cheese 
• Itching or irritation of the vagina or vulva 
• Soreness or stinging during sex 
• Soreness or stinging during urination (wee) 

Male symptoms

If you have a penis, you may experience:  

• Thick, white, clumpy discharge that resembles cottage cheese 
• An unpleasant smell from the genitals  
• Tight foreskin 
• Irritation, redness or a burning sensation around the head of the penis or under the foreskin 

How to prevent thrush

As thrush can have many triggers, it may be difficult to pinpoint the main cause. However, it is best practice to help prevent it by:  

• Drying yourself properly after showering, bathing or swimming 
• Wearing light cotton underwear that isn’t tight-fitting 
• Avoiding sex until Thrush has cleared up 
• Avoiding harsh soaps, body washes and bubble baths 
• Avoiding ‘feminine wash’ products, even if they're labelled as ‘pH balanced’ 
• Not douching the vagina  
• Avoiding the use of wet wipes on the genitals   

Treatment for thrush

Treatment is usually either an antifungal pessary, tablet, cream or a combination of 2. The tablet and pessary are a single dose, the cream may be used for up to 5 days or until the symptoms have subsided.  

If you have recurring thrush (4 or more times within 12 months), you may be prescribed a longer course of treatment. You may also be screened for other conditions, such as diabetes.

Some thrush treatments can cause damage to condoms, dams and diaphragms, so it’s best to avoid having sex until you have finished your treatment. 

Where to get help in Bexley

Thrush treatment can be bought over the counter from pharmacies if you have had thrush before and recognise the symptoms. If you have never had thrush before, you have had it more than 4 times in a year, or your symptoms are concerning you then book an appointment with your GP or at a sexual health clinic. 

Thrush is not detected with regular STI tests, but some pharmacies offer separate home testing kits for it.  

What happens at your appointment?

A doctor or nurse will ask you about your symptoms and may need to examine your genitals or take a swab sample of your discharge. Treatment will be prescribed to you if you are confirmed to have Thrush.  

It is not necessary for your sexual partner(s) to be treated at the same time unless they are also showing the same symptoms. 

Complications of Thrush

Thrush does not cause any long-term complications; however, you can keep getting it after treatment (recurrent infection). If this happens you will need to book an appointment at a sexual health clinic or your GP for further investigation. 

Thrush in pregnancy

Thrush is very common in pregnancy due to the fluctuations in hormones affecting the pH balance of the vagina. Most people who are pregnant develop thrush at least once, while 1 in 20 experience recurring thrush.  

A Thrush infection is harmless and poses no threat to yourself or your baby during pregnancy and you cannot pass it onto your baby in utero (through your womb). There is a small chance that your baby can get thrush if you have it and deliver vaginally. 

If you have a Thrush infection, you may be prescribed different medications that are safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding.