Thrush (Candidiasis)

Thrush, or candidiasis, is a vaginal yeast (fungal) infection. Many women get recurrent attacks, particularly when they first start having sex or after taking a course of antibiotics.

• The most effective thrush treatments are available by prescription only
• Request Dr Morton's Prescription^© for thrush from our doctors
• Request Dr Morton's Prescription^© to control recurrent thrush

With Dr Morton's - the medical helpline^© you can email or phone a real doctor at any time for more information, reassurance or advice

Symptoms of vaginal yeast infection

• pain during sex
• pink vaginal discharge
• white vaginal discharge that may contain lumps
• itching, pain or burning in the vulva especially when wiping after urination
• needing to urinate frequently

What is thrush?

Thrush (candidiasis) is caused by the Candida yeast (fungus) that usually lives in harmony with the normal healthy bacteria in your gut and vagina. Any disturbance in the balance of bacteria and yeast leads to the yeast multiplying. This causes soreness, itching and vaginal discharge.

What causes thrush?

Taking antibiotics, while sometimes necessary to combat bad bacteria, has the unfortunate side effect of killing good bacteria as well. This disturbs the balance in the vagina, and commonly triggers thrush.

Sometimes the contraceptive coil predisposes to yeast overgrowth, leading to recurrent thrush in women.

Diabetes can also be a trigger, because it causes you to have a sugar called glucose in your urine. The yeast feeds off the sugar and multiplies, often causing recurrent thrush.

Thrush treatment

You can get simple thrush treatments over the counter, but there are limits as to what you can get without a prescription.

By registering with us and filling out a simple medical questionnaire, you can request Dr Morton's Prescription for thrush^© from our doctors. It includes a 30g tube of Canesten HC cream. Over the counter, you can only get one 15g tube of Canesten HC at a time, which sometimes just isn't enough to combat an infection.

The pack also includes a single dose of fluconazole (Diflucan), which is an oral antifungal capsule. In this way, our pack combats thrush from the inside out.

What is Canesten HC?

Canesten contains clotrimazole, an antifungal medication that kills off the thrush infection. The 'HC' stands for hydrocortisone, a steroid cream that soothes the inflammation caused by thrush.

Treatment for recurrent thrush

Persistent or recurrent thrush, consisting of four or more outbreaks a year, can be a real nuisance. Around one in ten women who get thrush suffer from recurrent attacks, and up to one in a hundred may have it almost all the time. To get rid of recurrent thrush, you may need months of steady treatment, and you can only get this from a doctor.

Dr Morton's Prescription^© to control recurrent thrush contains a six month course of Fluconozole capsules and a five day course of Canesten HC cream, as well as instructions on how to use them.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush in adults is less common than vaginal thrush, and may indicate that the immune system isn't working properly for some reason. If you think you have oral thrush, call or email one of our doctors to find out whether you should have further tests.

Thrush in men

The candida fungus can affect men, but mainly in the groin. This is called 'jock itch'. It is also responsible for athlete's foot, which causes cheesy, itchy soggy skin between the toes.

Is thrush contagious?

Thrush is not contagious in the usual sense of the word, but it can pass between partners during sex. So if you have vaginal thrush, it is worth asking a doctor whether your partner should also apply an antifungal cream like Canesten for a few days. It is best to avoid sex whilst having treatment.

This page was last updated on 13/02/2021.

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