Thrush is a very common yeast infection. It’s not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
It’s usually harmless but it can be uncomfortable and keep coming back.
Some people won’t have any signs or symptoms of thrush at all.
Sometimes there can be too much yeast and it can cause symptoms.
Symptoms of thrush in women include:
Symptoms of thrush in men include:
Thrush can affect other areas of skin, including the armpits, groin and between your fingers.
Symptoms of thrush in other areas include:
If you think you might have thrush, get tested for free by:
Testing is also available in some pharmacies.
The test for thrush only takes a few seconds and isn’t usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment.
It’s not always necessary to have a test for thrush. If you do have a test, a doctor or nurse may:
Thrush may have similar symptoms to some STIs, so it’s important you seek advice if you think you may be at risk of an STI.
Treatment is simple and only necessary if you have signs and symptoms of thrush.
You may be given:
Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to use the treatment.
It’s very important to take the treatment as instructed and finish any course of treatment even if the symptoms go away earlier.
You can buy antifungal treatments from most pharmacies if you’ve been diagnosed with thrush in the past and you know the symptoms.
Some antifungal products can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps. You should avoid sex while undergoing treatment if this is your method of contraception.
You should tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you’re pregnant, might be pregnant, or if you’re breastfeeding. This may affect the type of treatment you’re given.
If thrush isn’t treated it eventually goes away on its own.
There’s no need for your partner(s) to have treatment unless they have signs and symptoms of thrush.
Your chances of developing thrush increase if:
Some people find that different triggers cause thrush. If you notice a pattern, you may be able to help control it.
There are things you can do to relieve symptoms and stop thrush from coming back.
If you’re prescribed an antibiotic for another condition, remind your doctor that you tend to get thrush and ask for some preventive treatment for thrush at the same time.
Some people may only get thrush once. Others may get it multiple times.
You may need to take treatment for longer if you keep getting thrush (you get it more than 4 times in 12 months).
If you get recurrent thrush the doctor or nurse will want to check that other conditions, such as diabetes, aren’t the cause of the thrush.
They’ll recommend how often you should use treatment.
Last updated:
01 June 2023