The short answer: A vaginal yeast infection, also called thrush or candidiasis, is a very common infection caused by an overgrowth of candida, a yeast that normally lives harmlessly in the vagina. It usually causes itching, soreness and a thick white discharge that looks like cottage cheese. Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection. It is treated with antifungal medicine, usually clears within 7 to 14 days, and simple everyday habits make it less likely to come back.
What is thrush?
Your vagina is home to a mix of friendly bacteria and small amounts of yeast. The bacteria keep the vagina slightly acidic, and that keeps candida in check. Thrush happens when something tips the balance and the yeast grows too much, irritating the vagina and the vulva, which is the skin around the outside.
Thrush is very common. Many women will have it at least once, and some get it again and again. It is usually harmless, but it can be very uncomfortable, and it can affect sleep, sex and how you feel day to day. The good news is that it responds well to treatment.
Thrush can also affect men, causing redness and irritation of the penis, and it can appear on other warm, moist skin such as the groin or armpits.
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection
- Itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina, often worse at night
- White discharge that is thick and lumpy, like cottage cheese or paneer crumbs, and usually has little or no smell
- Sometimes a thinner, watery white discharge instead
- Soreness, redness or swelling of the vulva; on brown or darker skin, redness can be harder to see, so soreness and itching may be the main signs
- Stinging when you pee, as urine touches the sore skin
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Small cracks or splits in the skin from scratching or inflammation
Some people have thrush with no symptoms at all and only find out after a swab for another reason. That does not need treatment unless it causes problems.
What causes thrush?
Candida thrives in warm, moist conditions. Anything that changes the balance in your vagina, or irritates the skin, can let it grow. The NHS lists these common triggers:
- Antibiotics. They kill helpful bacteria along with harmful ones. Thrush a few days after a course of antibiotics, for a throat or urine infection, is very common.
- Diabetes that is not well controlled. Higher sugar levels in the body make it easier for yeast to grow. Repeated thrush can sometimes be the first sign of undiagnosed diabetes, so mention it to your doctor.
- Pregnancy. Higher oestrogen levels make thrush more likely.
- A weakened immune system, for example from HIV, chemotherapy or long-term steroid medicines.
- Hormone treatments such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Irritated or damaged skin, from scented soaps, douching, tight synthetic clothes, or shaving rash.
Sex can sometimes trigger thrush, and less often pass it on. That does not make it a sexually transmitted infection, and getting thrush says nothing about your sexual history. Women who have never had sex can get it too.
In India, heat and humidity play a big part. Long, sweaty days in tight jeans or leggings, damp underwear in the monsoon, and pads worn for hours all create the warm, moist conditions candida likes.
Thrush or something else?
Thrush is the infection most people think of first, but other causes of itching and discharge look similar. Using a thrush treatment for BV or an STI will not help, which is why getting a proper diagnosis the first time matters.
| Condition | Discharge | Smell | Itching | Treated with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrush | Thick, white, lumpy like cottage cheese | Little or none | Usually strong | Antifungal medicine |
| Bacterial vaginosis (BV) | Thin, grey-white or watery | Fishy, often stronger after sex or a period | Usually little | Antibiotics |
| Trichomoniasis | Yellow-green, may be frothy | Can be fishy | Itching or soreness | Antibiotics, partners treated too |
| Chlamydia or gonorrhoea | Unusual discharge, sometimes yellow or green, or no change | Usually none | Not usually | Antibiotics, partners tested too |
| Irritation or allergy | Usually normal | None | Itchy, red, sore skin | Stopping the irritant |
For a wider look at each of these, read our guide to vaginal infections and how to prevent them. If your discharge has turned yellow rather than white, our post on yellow discharge after your period may help.
How thrush is treated
Thrush is treated with antifungal medicine. Your pharmacist or doctor may suggest:
- A pessary, a small tablet you insert into the vagina, usually at night
- A cream to put on the vulva to ease itching and soreness, sometimes used alongside a pessary
- A tablet taken by mouth
All of these work well. The choice depends on your preference, whether you are pregnant, and other medicines you take. Check the packet or ask a pharmacist how to use each one.
Symptoms should clear within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. If they have not, go back to your doctor. You may have a different infection, or a type of candida that needs a different medicine.
Pharmacist or doctor: where to start
If a doctor has diagnosed thrush before, and you clearly recognise the same symptoms, you can go to a pharmacist. Antifungal treatments for thrush are available at chemists, and a pharmacist can help you choose. If you feel awkward talking at the counter, ask to speak quietly or write your symptoms on your phone and show them.
See a doctor first if:
- It is the first time you have had these symptoms
- You are under 16 or over 60
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have diabetes, HIV or another condition that weakens your immune system
- You have had thrush more than 4 times in 12 months
- Pharmacy treatment has not worked
- Your symptoms do not quite fit, for example your discharge smells, is green or yellow, or you have sores or tummy pain
The NHS advises not using pharmacy antifungal medicine more than twice in six months without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
What the doctor will do
Often a doctor can diagnose thrush from your symptoms. If it is not clear, or it keeps coming back, they may look at the area and gently wipe a cotton bud over the discharge to send for testing. This is quick and should not hurt. They may also check your blood sugar, especially if thrush keeps returning.
During treatment
- Avoid sex until the thrush has cleared if it feels uncomfortable
- Antifungal creams can damage condoms and diaphragms, so these may not protect against pregnancy or STIs during treatment; use another method or avoid sex
- Wash the area with plain water, or with an emollient, a simple moisturising cream used instead of soap
- Wear loose cotton underwear and sleep without tight clothing
- If your period starts, check the medicine leaflet; some advise against using tampons during treatment
Do partners need treatment?
Not unless they have symptoms. If a male partner has redness, irritation or discharge on the penis, he should see a pharmacist or doctor too.
Thrush in pregnancy
Pregnancy makes thrush more likely, and it is not harmful to your baby. But always see your doctor or midwife rather than buying treatment yourself. Some treatments, including oral tablets, are not used in pregnancy, and your doctor will want to rule out other infections that do matter in pregnancy, such as BV.
Bleeding, tummy pain, fever or leaking fluid in pregnancy are not thrush symptoms and need urgent care.
Recurrent thrush: when it keeps coming back
Thrush that happens more than 4 times in 12 months is called recurrent thrush. It is frustrating, but it is common and manageable. Your doctor will confirm it is thrush with a swab, look for triggers, and may suggest treatment for up to six months to keep it under control.
Common triggers to look for:
- Your period, if thrush often flares just before it starts
- Sex, especially without enough lubrication
- Repeated courses of antibiotics
- Blood sugar that is not well controlled
- Products you use every day, such as scented soaps, wipes or liners
Keeping a simple diary of flares, your period dates and anything new you used can help your doctor spot the pattern.
Thrush and your period
Some people notice thrush tends to flare just before their period, when hormone levels shift. Period blood also changes the acidity in the vagina for a few days. If this sounds familiar, our guide to vaginal itching before your period explains other causes to rule out.
On period days, what you wear matters. Change pads every few hours so damp does not sit against sore skin, and choose unscented pads and liners. A cotton-rich period panty is another option: it has no adhesive, feels like ordinary underwear, and has a built-in absorbent core with a leak-resistant barrier. If you are prone to thrush, change it as soon as it feels damp. Rinse it in cold water, wash gently with a mild detergent, and air-dry it fully in the sun before wearing again; our guide on washing period panties has the steps.
How to prevent thrush
You cannot always prevent thrush, but these habits lower the chances.
Do
- Wash the vulva, the outside only, with plain water and dry it thoroughly by patting with a clean towel
- Wear loose cotton underwear, and change it daily or more often in hot weather
- Change out of sweaty gym clothes, wet swimwear and damp underwear quickly
- Dry underwear fully, in sunlight where you can; during the monsoon, avoid wearing anything that still feels damp
- Keep blood sugar well controlled if you have diabetes
- Only take antibiotics when a doctor prescribes them
Don't
- Use soap, scented shower gels, sprays, powders or perfumed wipes on the area
- Douche or wash inside the vagina; it cleans itself
- Wear tight jeans, leggings or synthetic underwear for long hours
- Sit in damp clothes or keep a pad on for a whole day
An intimate wash is not needed. Plain water is enough. If you like using one, choose a mild, fragrance-free intimate wash for the outside only, and skip it altogether while you have symptoms.
Home remedies and myths
Curd, yoghurt, garlic, coconut oil, tea tree oil or neem inside the vagina. There is no good evidence these cure thrush, and putting them inside can irritate tissue that is already inflamed and make things worse. Use a proven antifungal treatment instead. Eating curd as part of a normal diet is fine.
Thrush means you are not clean. Not true. Over-washing, especially with soap or douches, is more likely to cause thrush than not washing enough.
Thrush is an STI. It is not. Sex can trigger it, but it is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection.
You must stop eating sugar. If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar under control helps. For everyone else, there is no need to cut out sweets or fruit to treat thrush.
See a doctor if
- It is your first time with these symptoms, or you are not sure it is thrush
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 16 or over 60
- Treatment has not worked after 7 to 14 days, or thrush comes back more than 4 times in 12 months
- You have diabetes or a weakened immune system
- Your discharge smells, is green or yellow, or you have sores, blisters, bleeding between periods or tummy pain
Get urgent help if
Thrush itself is not an emergency. Get help the same day if you have discharge or itching with a high temperature, shivering or severe pain low in your tummy, which can mean a more serious infection. If you are pregnant and have bleeding, tummy pain, fever or leaking fluid, go to hospital straight away. In India, call 112 or 108, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
Can thrush go away on its own? Mild thrush sometimes clears without treatment, but antifungal medicine is quick and effective, so there is little reason to put up with the discomfort.
How long does thrush last with treatment? It should clear within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. Itching often eases within a few days.
Can I have sex with thrush? You can, but it is often sore. Antifungal creams can weaken condoms, so they may not protect against pregnancy or STIs during treatment.
Can men get thrush? Yes. It causes redness, burning and irritation around the head of the penis. Men only need treatment if they have symptoms.
Can I use a pessary during my period? Usually, yes, but check the leaflet that comes with it, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. A pad, liner or period panty is a simple choice while you are using vaginal treatment.
Why do I get thrush after antibiotics? Antibiotics reduce the helpful bacteria that keep yeast in check. If this happens every time, tell your doctor next time you are prescribed antibiotics.
Is thrush harmful in pregnancy? It is not harmful to your baby, but see your doctor or midwife for treatment rather than buying it yourself.
Related reading
- Vaginal Itching Before Your Period: Causes and Relief
- Vaginal Infections: Signs, Causes and How to Prevent Them
- Normal Vaginal Discharge: What to Expect Through the Month
This article is for general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor.
Sources: NHS: Thrush in men and women, NHS: Vaginal discharge, NHS: Bacterial vaginosis, NHS Wales 111: Vaginitis