Thrush: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

What is thrush?

Thrush is a common infection that can affect both women and men, though it’s more prevalent in women. It’s caused by a yeast fungus called Candida, which thrives in warm, moist areas of the body. While it’s not classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), thrush can sometimes be triggered by sexual activity. Many people look for the best thrush treatment for women or a thrush cream for men to ease symptoms quickly, and immediate thrush relief is often available without a prescription.

In most cases, Candida lives harmlessly in the body. However, certain conditions can lead to an overgrowth, causing uncomfortable symptoms.

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Symptoms of Thrush

If you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit your GP or a sexual health clinic. A doctor or nurse may examine the affected area and take a swab to confirm whether it’s thrush or another infection.

 

For Women:

  • A thick white vaginal discharge resembling cottage cheese (usually odourless).

  • Itching and irritation around the vagina and vulva.

  • Pain or discomfort during urination.

  • Pain during sex.

  • If you notice a strong, unpleasant vaginal odour, it may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis rather than thrush.

For Men:

  • A thick white discharge from the penis that resembles cottage cheese.

  • Irritation and redness on the head of the penis.

  • Difficulty pulling back the foreskin.

  • An unpleasant smell.

How is thrush treated?

Thrush is usually treated with antifungal medication (thrush medication, such as thrush cream or thrush tablets), which can come in various forms:

  •  Cream - Applied directly to the affected area. 

  •  Oral tablet - Taken by mouth. 

  •  Pessary - A tablet inserted into the vagina. 

If you’ve had thrush before and recognise the symptoms, treatment is often available over the counter at your local pharmacy. Whether you’re looking for a vaginal thrush treatment, a thrush cream for women, or a single thrush tablet, your pharmacist can advise on the right option for your symptoms.

If you’re struggling with persistent or recurring thrush, consider booking an appointment with one of our clinicians for personalised advice and treatment options.

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Frequently asked questions

Here are direct answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about trust.

Thrush is a common fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of a yeast called Candida albicans. It’s often called a yeast infection or candidiasis, since these are simply different names for the same candidal, yeast-related infection — this happens when Candida starts to infect the delicate skin or mucous membrane it normally lives on harmlessly.

This page focuses on genital thrush — vaginal thrush (also called vaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginitis, or a vulvovaginal Candida infection) in women, and thrush affecting the penis in men. Oral thrush is a different condition, where Candida can develop into oropharyngeal candidiasis, affecting the mouth and throat rather than the genitals — it’s more common in babies, older adults, and people who are immunocompromised. If you’re searching for oral thrush treatment, that involves a doctor choosing to prescribe medicine made for the oral and oropharyngeal area, which is different from the vaginal or penile thrush treatments covered on this page — so it’s best to speak to your GP separately about oral symptoms.

Thrush develops when Candida, which usually colonises your body harmlessly, starts to proliferate and develop into a infection often because something has dysregulated the natural balance of the vaginal flora. You may be more at risk if you’re immunosuppressed, taking antibiotics, or living with diabetes. If you have recurrent thrush your doctor may consider testing for diabetes or immune issues because of this

Thrush is usually treated using antifungal medication. Depending on your symptoms, a doctor might prescribe an oral capsule (e.g. fluconazole), or ask you to apply a topical antifungal cream e.g. clotrimazole, directly to the affected area. Most people are responsive to these options, meaning the infection can resolve within a few days of correct treatment.

Yes — thrush can be recurrent, and some people experience persistent symptoms that keep coming back. In rare cases, the infection may develop resistance, which means that standard treatment may not help. If this happens, your doctor may recommend a longer course or a different type of antifungal treatment.

In most healthy people, thrush stays localised. But if your immune system is very weak, Candida can occasionally spread further, leading to oesophageal candidiasis (affecting the food pipe), cutaneous candidiasis (affecting the skin more widely), or, rarely, invasive candidiasis, where the infection enters the bloodstream. These are far more serious than genital thrush and need specialist treatment.

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