Smileband Health issues

Thrush is an infection that is caused by a yeast fungus. It is not a sexually transmitted infection but can sometimes develop after you have had sex

Thrush can develop in the vagina and on the male and female genitals. It is a very common cause of unusual vaginal discharge – three out of four women will have thrush at some point in their lives. Most men will not get thrush.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge which develops when the normal environment of the vagina changes. One in three women will get it at some time. It is not a sexually transmitted infection but can develop after you have had sex. Men do not get bacterial vaginosis.

This page gives you information about thrush and bacterial vaginosis, what you can do if you are worried that you might have either or both infections and how to get treatment. 

Thrush

What is thrush?

Thrush is usually caused by the yeast fungus candida albicans. This yeast lives harmlessly on the skin and in the mouth, gut and vagina. Normally it is kept under control. Occasionally, however, conditions change and signs and symptoms can develop. This is commonly known as thrush, thrush infection or candida, and sometimes as monilia. On this page we use the term thrush.

This information tells you about thrush that develops in the vagina and on the male and female genitals.

What causes thrush to develop?

Your chances of developing thrush increase if you:

• are pregnant
• wear tight clothing (such as tight jeans) or synthetic clothing (such as nylon underwear) that prevents ventilation
• are taking antibiotics
• are having chemotherapy
• have uncontrolled diabetes, HIV or other illnesses that affect your immune system
• use products that may cause irritation of the vagina, such as vaginal deodorant or perfumed bubble bath or shower gel.

What are the signs and symptoms of thrush?

Some people will not have any signs or symptoms at all, and may not be aware they have thrush. If you do get symptoms you might notice:

Women

• Itching, soreness and redness around the vagina, vulva (the lips around the opening to the vagina) or anus (the opening to the rectum).
• Unusual, white discharge from the vagina that may be thick and look like cottage cheese. It sometimes smells yeasty.
• Pain when passing urine.
• Pain when having sex.

Men

• Irritation, burning or itching under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis.
• Redness, or red patches, under the foreskin or on the tip of the penis.
• A thin or thicker discharge, like cottage cheese, under the foreskin which sometimes smells yeasty.
• Difficulty in pulling back the foreskin.

How will I know if I have thrush?

If you think that you may have thrush you can speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection but it is important that you don’t delay seeking advice if you think you may have been at risk of a sexually transmitted infection.

What does the test involve?

Women

A doctor or nurse may:

• look at the vagina and genital area
• use a swab to collect a sample of cells from the vagina, during an internal examination.

You may be asked to use a swab or tampon yourself to get a sample.

Men

A doctor or nurse may:

• look at the penis and genital area
• use a swab to collect a sample of cells from the genital area including under the foreskin.

A swab looks a bit like a cotton bud, but is smaller, soft and rounded. The swab is wiped over the parts of the body that could be affected and easily picks up samples of discharge and cells. It only takes a few seconds and is not usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment.

Samples taken during the examination are looked at under a microscope to check for thrush. Sometimes the result is available immediately. If the sample is sent to a laboratory for testing, the result is usually available within a week.

Sometimes thrush signs will be noticed during a cervical screening test, but you will only need treatment if you have problems with discharge or itching. Routine blood tests do not detect infections such as thrush.

How accurate are the tests?

Tests for thrush are usually very accurate in women. They are less accurate in men, so diagnosis in men is often made by looking at the penis and genital area.

Where can I get a test?

You can have a test as soon as you have signs and symptoms. There are a number of services you can go to. Choose the service you feel most comfortable with.

A test can be done at:

• a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic
• your general practice
• some contraception clinics and young people’s services.