What Is Thrush: The Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Options

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Thrush is a common condition caused by a yeast infection in the vagina and surrounding area. The infection is called Candida albicans, but is also known as Candidal vulvovaginitis. Candida lives harmlessly on the skin, in the mouth, intestine, and vagina, and is normally kept under control by harmless bacteria.

But sometimes, conditions change, and yeast levels rise quickly, leading to excessive flow and irritation. Most women develop the condition at some point in their lives, but it’s more common among women in their 30s and 40s, as well as those who are pregnant. It isn’t clear why some women are more prone to candidiasis than others. Diabetes and medical conditions that affect the body’s immunological system increase the likelihood of it occurring.

Other potential triggers include: using tight-fitting clothing, taking antibiotics, vaginal douches, bubble baths, excess sugar consumption, stress, constipation, or chemotherapy. There is little evidence that the use of sanitary pads or tampons is a risk factor for developing an infection.

Although it isn’t typically considered a sexually transmitted disease, it can sometimes be transmitted to your partner following vaginal, oral, or anal sex, during foreplay, or by sharing sex toys. Some women with the condition won’t have any sign or symptom, and may be completely unaware that they have the infection. They can only find out by undergoing a vaginal culture test.

In women, typical symptoms include: itching around the vulva, pain and irritation, redness around the vagina and vulva, vaginal discharge, which is frequently white and generally odorless, although it sometimes may have a slight smell, or pain as well as discomfort during intercourse or while urinating. In men, symptoms can be less evident than in women, but may include: discomfort, burning or itching on the tip of the penis or underneath the foreskin, white discharge, and discomfort while urinating.



This isn’t a condition which can be diagnosed alone; it needs to be seen by a specialist. Your doctor will check the symptoms and, if unsure, perform a simple test to confirm the diagnosis. This is a simple and painless process. It involves the use of a cotton swab to take a sample of the vaginal or penile cells.

The test will also show if the symptoms are caused by other common conditions, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomonads. Thrush isn’t considered a sexually transmitted disease, so your partner won’t need to be tested, unless he or she also displays symptoms.

If symptoms are mild, the doctor will generally recommend an anti-fungal medication to be used for one to three days. If symptoms are more serious, treatment will be longer. A variety of treatment options are available, including taking pills orally, inserting them via the vagina, or using a cream.

Anti-fungal treatment using pills tends to be in the form of fluconazole. They can be extremely effective, and a single pill may be enough to cure the yeast infection. They occasionally cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation and swelling. Pregnant or breastfeeding women don’t usually take anti-fungal medication in pill form due to the theoretical possibility of affecting the baby.

Intra-vaginal medication doesn’t cause as many side effects as the pill form, but they can be uncomfortable to use, cause irritation around the area, and damage latex condoms and diaphragms. Medications such as clotrimazole or miconazole are available as creams or capsules.

If you’re pregnant, don’t use an applicator to insert the medication because you risk samaging the uterine wall. Instead, insert the medication using your hand. Don’t use products without a prescription for prolonged periods without medical advice. If symptoms don’t improve after 1 day, consult your doctor.


Always check with your doctor if symptoms return, wether you are a teenager, older than 60, are pregnant, or have previously suffered from a sexually transmitted disease. Wash the area around your vagina with unscented soap and water, or just water. Avoid the use of heavily-scented soap, shower gels, vaginal deodorant, or vaginal douches.

Avoid using latex condoms, spermicidal creams, and lubricants if they cause irritation. Instead, try to use hypoallergenic condoms. Avoid using tight-fitting clothing made from artificial material, such as nylon. Whenever possible, use cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing.