Thrush is a yeast infection. It’s caused by a yeast fungus that’s found on the skin and in moist areas of the body like the vagina, mouth and gut.

If the yeast grows too much it can cause infection, and you may get signs and symptoms of thrush.

Most cases of thrush are caused by a yeast called Candida albicans.

This information is only about thrush that develops in and around the genital area.

Your chances of developing thrush increase if:

• you’re pregnant
• you’re taking antibiotics
• you’re having chemotherapy
• you have uncontrolled diabetes, HIV with a low CD4 count (meaning you have lower immunity) or other illnesses that affect your immune system
• you’re taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Not everyone with thrush gets symptoms. If you do get signs or symptoms, you may notice:

If you have a vagina:

• itching, burning, soreness, redness or tiny cracks in the skin around the vagina, vulva (external genitals) or anus
• unusual white discharge from the vagina that may be thick and look like cottage cheese; it sometimes smells yeasty
• pain when peeing or having sex, due to the skin irritation

If you have a penis:

• irritation, burning, itching, redness or tiny cracks under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis
• a thin or thicker white discharge, like cottage cheese, under the foreskin; it sometimes smells yeasty
• difficulty in pulling back the foreskin

If you think you may have thrush for the first time, go to a GP surgery or sexual health clinic.

If you’ve had thrush before and think you have it again, you can ask a pharmacist about treatment.

Thrush isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but go to a sexual health clinic or GP surgery if there’s a chance you may have an STI.

Sometimes thrush signs will be noticed during a cervical screening (smear) test or other vaginal examination. You’ll only need treatment if you have problems with discharge or itching.

Routine blood tests don’t detect thrush.

A test isn’t always needed.

A doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and may look at your vagina or penis to check for thrush.

If symptoms don’t clear up after treatment or thrush keeps coming back, they may swab the affected area. If you have a vagina, you may be able to take your own swab.

A swab looks like a cotton bud but is smaller and rounded. It’s wiped over the parts of the body that could be affected. This only takes a few seconds and isn’t usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment.

The swab picks up a sample that can be checked for thrush. Sometimes it’s possible to get the result straight away but you may have to wait up to 2 weeks.

It’s possible to buy a thrush test to do at home. The accuracy of these tests varies. If you buy a testing kit, get advice from a pharmacist or doctor.

Treatment is simple and only needed if you have signs and symptoms of thrush.

It’s important to use the treatment as instructed and finish any course of treatment even if the symptoms go away earlier.

• You may be given pills, vaginal pessaries (tablets you put into your vagina), antifungal cream to apply to the genital area or a combination. The doctor or nurse will talk to you about how to use the treatment
• You can buy some antifungal treatments from a pharmacy – these are useful if you’re sure you have thrush and want to treat it yourself. A pharmacist can answer any questions and explain how to use the treatment
• Some antifungal products can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps. Polyurethane (soft plastic) types can be used instead. Ask the doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice
• Tell the doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you’re pregnant, think you might be, or you’re breastfeeding. This can affect the type of treatment you’re given

Some people prefer to avoid sex or putting anything in the vagina until the thrush has gone.

• Around 8 in 10 cases of thrush will clear up after the first treatment
• If the first treatment doesn’t work, you may be offered different treatment or advised to have a thrush test at a sexual health clinic

No, not usually. Go back to the doctor, nurse or pharmacist if:

• you didn’t use the treatment as instructed
• signs and symptoms don’t go away after 1 to 2 weeks, or go but then come back
• you think you may have thrush again.

For many people, thrush goes away on its own, but treatment will help clear the thrush more quickly.

There’s no need to tell a partner you have thrush unless you want to.

A sexual partner doesn’t need thrush treatment unless they have signs and symptoms.

Everyone’s different, but there are some things that might help you to prevent or control thrush. See below for What can I do to help keep my vagina healthy?

If you’re given antibiotics for another condition, remind the doctor that you tend to get thrush and ask for some treatment for thrush at the same time.

Some people may only get thrush once. Others may get it multiple times. Getting thrush 4 or more times in a year is called recurrent thrush. If this happens, do not treat it yourself. Get medical advice from a GP surgery or sexual health clinic. They:

• will check that other conditions, such as diabetes, aren’t causing the thrush
• may suggest you take antifungal treatment on a regular basis
• may check the thrush isn’t caused by a different kind of yeast
• will help you think about anything that might be triggering the thrush

There are some things you can do to help keep your vagina and vulva healthy. They may lower your chances of getting recurrent thrush.

• Your vagina is self-cleaning. Avoid washing inside the vagina or douching because it can upset the natural balance of the vagina
• The vulva (the outside of the genitals which touches underwear) needs to be washed daily
• It’s advisable to avoid strongly perfumed soaps if you can. A mild soap and warm water is fine. If your skin is very sensitive, you may prefer a soap substitute or emollient
• There is never a need to use special vulva cleansing products or deodorants
• Some bath products may cause skin sensitivities so avoid these if possible, and try to avoid putting disinfectant or antiseptic in the bath
• Avoid using scented period products and panty liners. Consider period pants or menstrual cups as a more skin- and eco-friendly option. Try not to wear panty liners every day
• Make sure your vagina is well lubricated before and during vaginal sex
• Try not to wear tight or synthetic clothes, like tights, nylon underwear, leggings, lycra shorts, and tight jeans or trousers every day
• Avoid using strong or scented laundry products for washing underwear

Pregnancy can increase your chance of thrush. Thrush isn’t harmful to you or the baby.

Do not take pills to treat thrush when you’re pregnant. It can be treated safely with pessaries or creams. Always get advice before taking any treatment if you’re pregnant.

No. Thrush doesn’t cause cervical cancer.

No. Thrush will not affect your fertility or chance of getting pregnant.

Online services don’t test for thrush.

Check-ups, tests and treatment for STIs are free through NHS services.

Check-ups and tests for thrush are free through NHS services. You may have to pay a prescription charge for thrush treatment you get from a GP.

You’ll need to pay for any treatment that you get over the counter from a pharmacy.

A check-up or test can’t tell you how long you’ve had a particular infection.