HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury

Vaginal thrush (candida)

Mateīhi

Thrush is a common yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. It is normal for your vagina to have a small number of Candida that live naturally and cause no problems.

Usually, your own immune system along with harmless bacteria on your skin help control the amount of Candida present. But sometimes the conditions in your vagina change, allowing the number of Candida to multiply. This causes vaginal thrush symptoms.

You can also get thrush in other parts of your body including your mouth, throat and skin.

Vaginal thrush is usually harmless, but it can keep coming back (this is called recurrent thrush). It affects most women at some stage in their lives. But it is less common before puberty and after menopause.

You are more likely to get vaginal thrush if you:

• are pregnant
• are taking antibiotics
• have poorly controlled diabetes
• have a weakened immune system. For example, because of HIV or treatments like chemotherapy or steroids.

Symptoms of vaginal thrush

Vaginal thrush can be uncomfortable. Sometimes there are no symptoms, but typical symptoms include:

• a vaginal discharge, which is creamy white and thick though it can be watery and does not normally smell
• itchy redness and soreness around your vagina (vulva)
• pain on passing urine or when having sex.

Self-help for vaginal thrush

Avoid using soap or shower gels to clean your vulva (the area around your vagina). Use water and a soap substitute instead. Also:

• dry the affected area properly after washing
• wear loose cotton underwear
• do not douche or use deodorants on your vagina
• avoid wearing tight underwear or tights
• try to keep your blood sugar levels under control if you have diabetes.

Treating vaginal thrush

If you think you have vaginal thrush, talk to your pharmacist for advice. Over-the-counter (without a prescription) antifungal medicines such as fluconazole will usually get rid of it.

Fluconazole comes as a tablet. Clotrimazole is another treatment and comes as a vaginal cream.

You can also get these medicines on a prescription from your general practice team.

If you are pregnant, talk to your midwife, lead maternity carer (LMC) or general practice team. Oral treatments are not recommended for thrush if you are pregnant.

Getting help for vaginal thrush

See your general practice team if:

• it is the first time you have had vaginal thrush
• your thrush keeps coming back (more than 4 times in a year)
• your treatment has not worked
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• you are under 16 years old or over 60
• you have a weakened immune system, for example, if you are undergoing chemotherapy or are on long-term steroids
• you are unsure about whether you have thrush
• you have vaginal bleeding
• your vaginal discharge is smelly
• you have other symptoms such as abdominal (tummy) pain, fever or nausea.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Patient.info – Vaginal thrush

  Information about the symptoms and treatment of thrush.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2025.

Sources

Page reference: 67889

Review key: HIVVC-53223