Upton Group Practice

Thrush (Oral and Vaginal)

Thrush is caused by a yeast-like fungus.  Symptoms includes, soreness, itching and swelling of the vagina, often with a white discharge which can be very unpleasant.

It is the most common vaginal infection.  Wearing tights, tight trousers or underwear, especially nylon, can create the ideal warm conditions for the infection to flourish.

The use of perfumed bath foam and soap may also lead to problems.  Someone taking an antibiotic or the contraceptive pill may be more vulnerable to an attack of thrush.

There are many products available from your pharmacist to treat vaginal thrush, including a medicine taken by mouth, as well as creams and pessaries.  They must be used with care, and if you have symptoms for the first time, you should go to the doctor first.

Anti-fungal creams or pessaries are inserted into the vagina using a special applicator, to fight the infection.  The pessaries dissolve at body temperature.  Other products can be used externally to help relieve the itching around the opening of the vagina.  Your partner should use the cream on his penis at the same time to prevent reinfecting you.  He may already have the infection but no obvious symptoms.

 It is important to remember that treatments will reduce the effectiveness of condoms and diaphragms.  Ask your pharmacist about this.

Your pharmacist will need to ask you some questions about your symptoms before recommending a suitable treatment, so be prepared for this, and ask for somewhere quiet to talk, if necessary.

See your doctor if:-

 ¨    You have thrush for the first time

¨    You have had more than two attacks in six months

¨    You are pregnant

¨    You are under 16 or over 60

¨    There is a blood stained vaginal discharge

¨    You have other symptoms such as abdominal pain, sickness or fever

¨    You think you may have a sexually transmitted disease

¨    You are no better in seven days

¨    You have used these medicines before and are sensitive to them

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Last modified: 15/09/2005