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However, for some women, vaginal thrush can be difficult to treat and keeps coming back. Symptoms of vaginal thrush Typical symptoms of vaginal thrush include: itching and soreness around the entrance of the vagina itchy labia vaginal discharge — this is usually odourless and may be thick and white or thin and watery pain during sex, which may make you worry about having sex a stinging sensation when peeing Sometimes the skin around the vagina can be red, swollen or cracked.

What to do if you have vaginal thrush If you've had thrush before and think you have it again, you can normally treat it with medicines bought from a local pharmacy. Find your local sexual health clinic View sexual health clinics in your area using Scotland's Service Directory.

How to treat vaginal thrush Mild thrush can usually be treated with a short course of antifungal medication. Treatment may need to be continued for longer if you have repeated bouts of thrush. The main types are: pessaries — a special pill that you insert into your vagina using a special applicator intravaginal creams — these are also placed into the vagina using an applicator capsules — these are swallowed and may be more convenient to use than pessaries or intravaginal cream, but can have more troublesome side effects, such as vomiting or an upset stomach These treatments are all equally effective.

What causes vaginal thrush? Vaginal thrush is caused by yeasts from a group of fungi called Candida. You're more likely to get thrush if you: are in your twenties and thirties — thrush is less common in girls who haven't started their periods and women who have been through the menopause are pregnant have sex when you're not fully aroused or you're worried it may hurt — this can lead to vaginal dryness and tightness during sex, which can trigger thrush take antibiotics have poorly controlled diabetes have a weakened immune system — for example, because of a condition such as HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy Vaginal thrush isn't classed as an STI, but it can be triggered by sex — particularly if you have trouble relaxing and your vagina is dry — and can occasionally be passed on to sexual partners.

Preventing vaginal thrush If you get thrush frequently, you can: use water and an emollient moisturiser soap substitute to clean the vulva skin around your vagina , but avoid cleaning this area more than once a day apply a greasier moisturiser to the skin around your vagina several times a day to protect it but be aware that these moisturisers can weaken condoms avoid potential irritants in perfumed soaps, shower gels, vaginal deodorants, wipes and douches avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear or tights — some women find that special silk underwear designed for people with eczema and thrush is helpful ensure your blood sugar level is kept under control, if you have diabetes Some women eat probiotic yoghurt or supplements to prevent vaginal thrush, but there's little evidence to suggest this works.

Treating vaginal thrush Vaginal thrush is treated with medications you can buy over the counter from a pharmacy, or get on prescription from your GP. Find your local pharmacy Thrush medications Thrush is treated with antifungal medicines that are available as pessaries, intravaginal creams or capsules.

Pessaries and intravaginal creams A pessary is a pill that you insert into your vagina using a special applicator. The main types used to treat thrush are: clotrimazole — available over the counter from pharmacies econazole, miconazole and fenticonazole — available on prescription Over-the-counter pessaries are usually used daily for one to six days.

Capsules If you would prefer not to use pessaries or intravaginal cream, antifungal capsules are available. The main types used to treat thrush are: fluconazole — available over the counter from pharmacies itraconazole — available on prescription Over-the-counter thrush capsules usually come as a single dose.

Skin creams If the skin around the entrance to your vagina vulva is also sore or itchy, you may find it helpful to use an antifungal skin cream in addition to one of the treatments above. Creams containing clotrimazole can be bought over the counter from pharmacies. They're available in packs that also include antifungal pessaries, intravaginal cream or capsules. They're normally applied to the skin two or three times a day for at least two weeks.

Possible side effects include irritation, a stinging sensation or itching. Sex and sexual partners Vaginal thrush isn't classed as a sexually transmitted infection STI , so sexual partners don't need to be informed, tested or treated if they don't have any symptoms. If thrush keeps coming back Speak to your GP if you experience frequent bouts of thrush.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding Visit your GP if you have thrush and you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window.

Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window. Normally, this lives harmlessly in, or around your vagina, alongside healthy bacteria. But if it grows more than usual, this causes thrush. But some women get recurrent bouts of thrush. Fewer than five in every women are thought to be affected by this. If your thrush keeps coming back, it can make you feel down or depressed , and it can affect your sex life too. See your GP to get some support if this happens to you.

Sometimes it might be that your thrush has been retriggered, rather than a completely new infection happening.

If you continue to have problems, visit your GP or sexual health clinic to get support and advice. If you have vaginal thrush, the skin outside your vagina may be red, cracked or damaged. You may see a thick, white vaginal discharge it may look like cottage cheese.

For more information, see 'symptoms of vaginal thrush'. Vaginal thrush can make you feel itchy and sore outside your vagina an area called your vulva. You may find it painful when you use the toilet to pee and when you have sex. Our short survey takes just a few minutes to complete and helps us to keep improving our health information. At Bupa we produce a wealth of free health information for you and your family.

This is because we believe that trustworthy information is essential in helping you make better decisions about your health and wellbeing. It also follows the principles of the The Information Standard. Fungal skin infections are caused by different types of fungi and can be a common culprit of itchy skin. This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence.

It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition. Any information about a treatment or procedure is generic, and does not necessarily describe that treatment or procedure as delivered by Bupa or its associated providers.

The information contained on this page and in any third party websites referred to on this page is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice nor is it intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment. Third party websites are not owned or controlled by Bupa and any individual may be able to access and post messages on them. Bupa is not responsible for the content or availability of these third party websites.

We do not accept advertising on this page. For more details on how we produce our content and its sources, visit the About our health information section. Back to top Menu. Vaginal thrush. Expert reviewer Miss Shirin Irani, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Next review due January Vaginal thrush is a yeast infection that can make you feel sore and itchy around your vulva and vagina.

About thrush Thrush is an infection with a yeast called candida. Men can also get thrush, including on the penis. Normally, your immune system works to repel harmful invading organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, while maintaining a balance between "good" and "bad" microbes that normally inhabit your body. But sometimes these protective mechanisms fail, increasing the number of candida fungus and allowing an oral thrush infection to take hold.

The most common type of candida fungus is Candida albicans. Several factors, such as a weakened immune system, can increase your risk of oral thrush. Untreated oral thrush can lead to more-serious systemic candida infections.

If you have a weakened immune system, thrush may spread to your esophagus or other parts of your body. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Oral thrush Open pop-up dialog box Close. Oral thrush Oral thrush produces slightly raised, creamy white, sore patches in your mouth or on your tongue. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed May 23, Kauffman CA. Overview of candida infections.