Thrush in men and women
Overview
Thrush is a common yeast infection that affects men and women. It's usually harmless but it can be uncomfortable and keep coming back. It is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Symptoms
Symptoms of thrush in women include: whitevaginal discharge(often like cottage cheese), which does not usually smellitching and irritation around the vulva and vaginasoreness and stinging during sex or when you pee Symptoms of thrush in men include: irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskina white discharge (like cottage cheese)an unpleasant smelldifficulty pulling back the foreskin
Causes
Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be triggered by sex or, less often, passed on during sex. Thrush is caused by a fungus called candida that is normally harmless. Thrush tends to grow in warm, moist conditions and develops if the balance of bacteria changes. This can happen if: your skin is irritated or damagedyou're taking antibioticsyou have poorly controlled diabetesyou have a weakened immune system (for example, because of HIV or chemotherapy)you're having hormone replacement therapy (HRT)you're pregnant
Treatment
You'll usually need antifungal medicine to get rid of thrush. This can be a tablet you take, a tablet you insert into your vagina (pessary) or a cream to relieve the irritation. Thrush should clear up within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. You do not need to treat partners unless they have symptoms.
Prevention
There are things you can do to ease thrush and stop it coming back. use water and an emollient (like E45 cream) instead of soap to wash the affected area use water and an emollient (like E45 cream) instead of soap to wash the affected area dry properly after washing dry properly after washing wear cotton underwear wear cotton underwear avoid sex until thrush has cleared up if sex is uncomfortable avoid sex until thrush has cleared up if sex is uncomfortable do not use soaps or shower gels do not use soaps or shower gels do not use douches or deodorants on your vagina or penis do not use douches or deodorants on your vagina or penis do not wear tight underwear or tights do not wear tight underwear or tights If you have sex during treatment, be aware that antifungal creams can damage condoms and diaphragms. This means your contraception might not work.