Thrush in men and women

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).

Thrush symptoms in women

• white vaginal discharge (like cottage cheese), which does not usually smell
• itching and irritation around the vagina
• soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee

Thrush symptoms in men

• irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
• a white discharge (like cottage cheese)
• an unpleasant smell
• difficulty pulling back the foreskin

Thrush can affect other areas of skin, such as the armpits, groin and between the fingers.

This usually causes a red, itchy or painful rash that scales over with white or yellow discharge. The rash may not be so obvious on darker skin.

Sometimes thrush causes no symptoms at all.

See a GP or go to a sexual health clinic if:

Sexual health clinics can help with thrush

Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system.

Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment.

They'll often get test results quicker than GP practices.

Find a sexual health clinic

Important

It's important to get thrush in men diagnosed to rule out things like balanitis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

What happens at your appointment

Your GP or sexual health clinic will want to confirm it's thrush and rule out other infections.

You'll be asked about your symptoms.

If it's not clear it's thrush:

• a doctor or nurse may look at your vagina or penis
• a cotton bud may be wiped over the discharge to test for other infections

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 a week, after 1 dose of medicine or using the cream daily.

You do not need to treat partners unless they have symptoms.

Recurring thrush

You might need to take treatment for longer (for up to 6 months) if you keep getting thrush (you get it more than twice in 6 months).

Your GP or sexual health clinic can help identify if something is causing your thrush, such as your period or sex.

They'll recommend how often you should use treatment.

A pharmacist can help with thrush

You can buy antifungal medicine from pharmacies if you have had thrush diagnosed in the past and you know the symptoms.

A pharmacist can recommend the best treatment for you. Ask if they have a private area to talk if you're embarrassed.

You should not use antifungal medicine more than twice in 6 months without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

Find a pharmacy

Important

Antifungal creams can damage condoms and diaphragms. This means your contraception might not work.

Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be triggered by sex and sometimes passed on through 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 damaged
• you're taking antibiotics
• you have poorly controlled diabetes
• you have a weakened immune system (for example, because of HIV or chemotherapy)
• you have been through the menopause
• you're pregnant

Page last reviewed: Fri Nov 2020 Next review due: Fri Nov 2020