What is thrush?

It can be very uncomfortable and keep coming back, especially if you're not sure what is causing the infection (for example, a repeated allergic reaction to a new hygiene product). Thrush mostly occurs in women, but it can also happen to men. It doesn't just affect your genitals, either - you can get thrush in almost any area of skin that is warm and moist, such as your armpits or even between your fingers.

Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast

Thrush happens when an overgrowth of candida albicans, a type of fungus (yeast), develops across your body. Candida albicans is part of your natural microflora, which describes the microorganisms and bacteria that commonly live inside your body. At normal levels (relatively small amounts), the fungus is not a problem, but when it begins to grow uncontrollably, it can cause an infection known as candidiasis. When candidiasis grows on your genitals or inside your mouth, it is known as thrush.

Candida albicans can also be found in your GI tract, as well as your skin, mouth, and genitals. If you have an overgrowth of candida in your gut, it can cause digestive issues and bowel problems, as well as fatigue and a general feeling of 'sluggishness'. Candida albicans is more likely to become overgrown if you have a weakened immune system.

Men can get thrush too

As mentioned above, thrush can develop on male genitals, too, although vaginal thrush is more common. Although thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, the infection can be spread from one person to the next when having sex, which is a common way men develop thrush.

What are the main symptoms of thrush?

Men and women experience thrush symptoms differently.

Thrush symptoms in women include white vaginal discharge (often like cottage cheese), which does not usually smell. You might also experience itching and irritation around your vulva and vagina, as well as soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee. Symptoms of thrush in men include irritation, burning and redness around the head of your penis and under your foreskin. You might also experience a white discharge (like cottage cheese), with an unpleasant smell, as well as difficulty pulling back your foreskin.

Symptoms vary from person to person and some people might only experience mild irritation that goes away by itself within a few days. More severe cases of thrush will cause extreme soreness and a burning sensation in your genitals, which can make having sex painful.

The most common causes of thrush

There are several common causes of thrush, which include:

Antibiotic use

Antibiotics work by killing bad bacteria that causes infection, but they can also kill healthy bacteria in other parts of your body, including your vagina, gut, and throat. Without enough beneficial bacteria to keep an overgrowth of yeast at bay, yeast can multiply, causing thrush.

Poorly controlled diabetes

Diabetes can cause high levels of sugar in your bloodstream. If you have high levels of sugar in your blood, you can also have high levels of sugar in your sweat, saliva, and urine. This sugar helps fungus grow, which can lead to thrush.

Your menstrual cycle

Your menstrual cycle can trigger thrush by creating changes in your hormone levels and the varying levels of bacteria that lives in your vagina, which encourage the overgrowth of candida. Some studies show that thrush symptoms often appear just before your period starts, because the rise of oestrogen levels in your body that occur at this point in your cycle can promote the growth of candida.

A weakened immune system

A healthy immune system helps control the growth of candida in your body. When you have an immune system that is weakened by chronic conditions such as HIV, diabetes, or even cancer, your body is less able to fight off infection and maintain a balanced level of bacteria across certain areas of your body.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

When pregnant and breastfeeding, you experience a vast range of hormonal changes (including an increase in oestrogen levels), as well as changes to the function of your immune system. These factors are closely associated with an overgrowth of candida and an increased risk of developing thrush.

Getting treatment for thrush

The good news is that thrush is very treatable.

You'll usually need an antifungal medicine to get rid of the infection. This can be an oral tablet, a tablet you insert into your vagina (also known as a pessary), or a cream to relieve the irritation and burning sensation surrounding your genitals, but not inside your vagina. Thrush should clear up within seven to 14 days of starting treatment, depending on how severe the infection is.

You do not need to treat your partner unless they have symptoms.

You can get treatment for thrush by arranging an appointment with your GP for a prescription. Your GP will confirm the infection is thrush by either a physical examination or a cotton swab test, during which they will collect a sample of genital discharge to test it for thrush and other common infections. GPs can usually tell whether you have thrush by examining your genitals and discussing your symptoms with you, so you will usually be prescribed medication for thrush on the day of your appointment.

Tackling recurrent thrush

Many people experience uncomplicated thrush (thrush once or twice per year). It usually responds well to medication and doesn't impact your life in the grand scheme of things.

Recurrent thrush is classified as more than four times in 12 months, but it can happen more regularly than this. Recurrent thrush can be unsettling and sometimes distressing, especially if your thrush causes severe symptoms. It can interfere with your everyday life because it is painful and uncomfortable, making social settings a source of anxiety. Recurrent thrush can also take a toll on your sex life, sometimes preventing you from being able to have sex due to the pain and concern that you might repeatedly pass thrush back and forth with your partner.

Long-term treatment is available for recurrent thrush. You can take oral medication for up to six months to tackle the infection and keep symptoms at bay. It also helps to understand the potential cause of your recurrent thrush to get treated effectively. For example, if your recurrent thrush is caused by poorly managed diabetes, your doctor will build a treatment plan to help you control your diabetes and experience relief from thrush as a result.

At-home remedies to ease symptoms

There are measures you can take to ease symptoms of thrush. You can use cold water and an emollient (like E45 cream), instead of soap to clean the affected area and prevent irritation and inflammation. Always remember to dry properly after washing and wear cotton underwear to keep the area as cool and comfortable as possible. This will help prevent the infection from getting worse and allow you to feel physically more at ease.

We recommend avoiding sex when you have thrush so that you don't pass the infection back and forth between partners - this can be the reason behind recurrent thrush in men and women.

Getting help for oral thrush

Thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, can grow on your tongue, causing white, raised lesions on your tongue, gums, and inner cheeks. These patches can very painful and bleed, making talking, swallowing, and chewing very difficult. Oral thrush can be caused by oral sex, taking antibiotics for a prolonged period, poor dental hygiene, and a generally poor immune system.

It is effectively treated with antifungal medication within fourteen days. You can also use topical medication (a cream or gel), on your tongue to alleviate symptoms and treat the infection.

There are ways you can prevent oral thrush and manage symptoms to get rid off the infection as soon as possible. We recommend flossing regularly, rinsing your mouth after meals, and visiting your dentist for frequent checkups to maintain healthy standards of oral hygiene.

Speak with a private GP about your symptoms today

If you have symptoms of thrush or are grappling with recurrent bouts of the infection, you can seek advise from one of our private GP's today by booking an appointment online.

Clinical review and sources

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in July 2024. Next review due July 2027.

HIV Medicine Association, influence of the menstrual cycle on microflora

The Sexual Health Hub, NHS, symptoms of thrush