What does thrush look like? If you have vaginal thrush, the skin outside your vagina may be red, cracked or damaged. You may see a thick,
white vaginal discharge
(it may look like cottage cheese) For more information, see ‘symptoms of vaginal thrush’.
What are the main causes of thrush?
- your skin is irritated or damaged.
- you’re taking antibiotics.
- you have poorly controlled diabetes.
- you have a weakened immune system (for example, because of HIV or chemotherapy)
- you’re having hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- you’re pregnant.
How do you know if you have thrush female?
- white discharge (like cottage cheese), which does not usually smell.
- itching and irritation around the vagina and vulva.
- soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee.
- redness.
How long does vaginal thrush last?
It usually treats thrush within 7 days but it’s best to treat the infection for at least 2 weeks to stop it coming back. The most common side effect is an itching or burning feeling in the area being treated. Clotrimazole is also known by the brand name Canesten, including Canesten pessaries and cream.
What can be mistaken for thrush?
Thrush can be confused with other conditions that cause itching and redness with or without discharge. These other conditions include herpes infections and bacterial infections Your doctor will examine you and take a swab or do further tests to confirm the diagnosis.
What happens if thrush is left untreated?
If left untreated, the symptoms will often persist and your mouth will continue to feel uncomfortable In
severe cases
that are left untreated, there is also a risk of the infection spreading further into your body, which can be serious.
How do you get vaginal thrush?
Vaginal thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s caused by an overgrowth of the
yeast candida
albicans , which is normally found on the genital skin. This overgrowth may occur due to: recent antibiotic use.
Is thrush an STD?
Thrush is an infection caused by a yeast fungus called candida albicans. It’s not a sexually transmitted infection but can sometimes develop after you’ve had sex. It can develop in the vagina and on the genitals.
Can thrush go away by itself?
Thrush often goes away on its own once you stop whatever is causing the problem “For example, if antibiotics led to thrush, just waiting a few weeks may give the body time to return to a natural yeast balance,” says Dr. Reisman.
What is the fastest way to get rid of a yeast infection?
Taking a prescription oral antifungal medication like Diflucan (fluconazole) is a quick way to get rid of a yeast infection. It’s a
one-dose treatment
, but some people may need an additional dose or doses. A prescription or OTC vaginal antifungal cream can also help get rid of yeast infections fast.
What’s the difference between thrush and a yeast infection?
Thrush is a vaginal yeast infection caused by excessive growth of natural yeast-like fungus, called candida albicans If you’ve noticed vaginal irritation and inflammation or a change in your discharge (cottage cheese-like white discharge), you may have a yeast infection.
Does thrush have a smell?
Vaginal thrush This discharge usually isn’t very smelly , though. ‘If your thrush symptoms are so pronounced that there’s a bad smell, you should see a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions,’ says Dr Rosén.
Should I worry about thrush?
Thrush isn’t usually anything to worry about in these cases However, your doctor may want to take a swab from your vagina to confirm the diagnosis and/or carry out tests to check for any underlying cause. They can also advise you about the most suitable treatment and give you a prescription, if necessary.
Is vaginal thrush contagious?
While uncomfortable, a thrush infection isn’t necessarily contagious The yeast can spread from person to person, but someone who comes into contact with thrush won’t automatically develop the infection.
How do I know if it’s thrush or something else?
You may have itching or irritation in or around your vagina, as well as a thick, white discharge In many cases, an antifungal treatment will clear up your symptoms. If you’re not sure whether you have a yeast infection or something else, it’s important to see a doctor for the right diagnosis and treatment.
Should I tell my partner I have thrush?
Telling your partner It is therefore unlikely that you will pass it to your partner. Your partner should only be treated if they have symptoms. If you have Thrush, you may not feel like having sex, so it may be helpful to talk to your partner about your symptoms.
Do I have thrush or chlamydia?
If you’re having discharge like this, and itching, redness or swelling around the genitals, you probably have thrush If your symptoms aren’t clear cut you might have BV (bacterial vaginosis) or an STIs such as chlamydia, trichomonas or gonorrhoea.
Can a woman give a man thrush?
Thrush isn’t considered an STI, but men can sometimes contract thrush from having intercourse with a woman who has a yeast infection In this case, both partners will need treatment to prevent each other from continuing to have problems with genital thrush.
How long do yeast infections last?
Mild yeast infections may clear up in as few as three days. Sometimes, they don’t even require treatment. However, moderate to severe infections may take one to two weeks to clear.
Sources
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/vaginal-thrush
https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/womens-health/vaginal-thrush
https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clotrimazole-for-thrush/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20378999