We've all whispered across the chemist counter at some point — but we shouldn't have to. Especially not for something like thrush, which happens to most women at least once in their lives.
Stigma does no one any favours (we can probably blame the patriarchy, let's be honest), so we're here to bust some myths, normalise, and help you say bye to the itchy visitor. Or, prevent it from popping up in the first place.
Read on for our top tips on how to treat thrush, and how to know when it's time to see a doctor.
What is thrush?
Thrush is a type of yeast infection that can affect different areas of the body.
It's caused by a fungus called candida, that occurs naturally in our systems. The true culprit of thrush is a particular candida species — candida albicans [1].
Most of the time candida albicans is in stealth mode.
It exists pretty harmlessly in the bowels, oral cavity, and the vagina (in small amounts). So how does it stay under the radar? Our good bacteria keep it in check unless there's too much for our body to handle [2].
If our bacteria levels are thrown out of whack, it can turn into infection time (which is never fun). The most common ways a thrush infection can show up are oral thrush or vaginal thrush [2].
What causes vaginal thrush?
Lately, we've all been learning lots about our gut microbiome and gut health (we're looking at you, Kombucha fans), but did you know the vaginal microbiome is just as important?
There's a certain amount of yeast that naturally lives in the vagina. When there's too much vaginal yeast (called a yeast overgrowth), thrush develops and causes some painful symptoms [3].
Certain lifestyle factors and health conditions can increase the risk of a yeast infection, including:
- Recent antibiotic use
- Use of oral contraceptives
- Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy, a period starting, or higher levels of oestrogen in the body)
- A weakened immune system
- Other health conditions (such as diabetes or iron deficiency)
- Skin conditions that affect the genitals (such as eczema, psoriasis, or jock itch)
- Use of immunosuppressant medications
What causes oral thrush?
For oral thrush, or oral candidiasis, the causes are really similar — a yeast overgrowth in the mouth turns into a fungal infection, causing oral thrush.
It isn't contagious, but there are some risk factors that might increase your chances of it happening, including:
- Antibiotic use
- Wearing dentures (especially if they're not properly fitted)
- Poor oral hygiene or not looking after your oral health
- Smoking
- Using certain asthma medications (especially steroid inhalers)
- Having a dry mouth
- Certain cancer treatments (e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy) [6]
Babies or elderly people might be at higher risk of developing oral thrush, as well as those with certain health conditions [6].
By the way, here are some quick thrush myth-busters for those playing along at home:
- Anyone can experience genital thrush — thrush infections don't only occur in the vagina, but can also affect the penis/foreskin
- Thrush isn't sexually transmitted, but sex can be really uncomfortable if you have an active infection
So, how can you tell if you actually have thrush?
What are the symptoms of thrush?
The symptoms of thrush can be different depending on where it shows up in the body, so let's break it down:
Symptoms of vaginal thrush
- Itching or a burning sensation around the vagina or vulva
- Redness or swelling
- Thick, white vaginal discharge
- Burning or stinging when urinating
- Pain during sex
- Splits in the skin of the vulva [4]
Symptoms of oral thrush
- White patches in the mouth (that when wiped off might be red or bleeding)
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth or loss of taste
- Cracks in the skin around the mouth
- Redness in the mouth or throat
- A burning sensation or pain in the mouth [6]
It's really important to note that thrush can share symptoms with other conditions/vaginal infections (like urinary tract infections, genital herpes, and bacterial vaginosis) so discussing your symptoms with your GP or healthcare provider can help rule these things out.
Preventing a thrush infection
Before we get into the best ways to treat and manage a thrush infection, let's talk prevention.
Some of the ways you can prevent thrush are by looking after your vaginal health and avoiding using certain products.
Things you can do to prevent vaginal yeast infections include:
- Avoid washing the vagina with soap or shower gels, as they can cause irritation
- Wash with water only and gently wipe dry after showering/bathing
- Wash your hands before touching your vagina, and after going to the toilet
- Always wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet to prevent the spread of candida albicans bacteria
- Wear loose clothing and underwear made from natural fibers (like 100% cotton), to stop bacteria growth
- Avoid any sprays or perfumes in the area, scented toilet paper, or scented menstrual products
- Think about changing your laundry detergent to an unscented alternative, and avoid using fabric softeners
- Avoid having vaginal sex straight after anal sex, wash thoroughly after anal sex and make sure you use a new condom before having vaginal sex [5][1]
Preventing oral infections is mainly about focusing on your oral hygiene, and avoiding the above risk factors where you can. For more advice on looking after your oral health, check in with your dentist or GP.
The benefits of probiotics for thrush
One of the key players in preventing a vaginal yeast infection is making sure you have enough beneficial bacteria in your system.
For people who get recurrent thrush infections (which is more common than you think), it could be worth considering probiotic supplements or vaginal probiotics [7].
Probiotics contain live microorganisms that can have health benefits and help the body recover from certain health issues.
Specific probiotic strains are available to treat specific conditions — for example, you can get certain probiotic supplements that help with diarrhoea [7].
For vaginal candida, studies suggest that probiotics containing lactobacillus strains of bacteria are the most helpful in preventing thrush [7].
Scientists have found that certain lactobacillus species may be responsible for maintaining optimum pH levels in the vagina and fighting off any bad bacteria. What little legends!
So, if you find a probiotic supplement or treatment that lists these strains as ingredients, it may help prevent thrush from taking hold or ward off future infections [7].
Probiotics help maintain overall vaginal health, too.
Kin's Vaginal Probiotic can support your vaginal flora, as well as your urinary tract health — meaning less cystitis, UTIs, and less thrush.
It contains the lactobacillus strains you need, as well as a bunch of other ingredients with major health benefits. The best part? You can order it online and get it straight to your door, without the hassle of having to sift through a hundred brands at the chemist or supermarket.
How to treat vaginal yeast infections
Treatment options for thrush involve taking a prescription antifungal medication. These are available in creams, oral tablets, or dissolving tablets that are placed inside the vagina (called pessaries) [5].
Antifungal creams or vaginal pessaries usually need to be used for 1-7 days, depending on the product instructions.
Sometimes they'll come with a special applicator to make using them easier. One thing to be careful of is that these creams can weaken condoms, so it's best to use them after sex [1].
Single-dose oral tablets are also available, though they're a bit more expensive and not suitable for everyone. If in doubt, always ask your GP [1].
You can get most thrush treatments over the counter at the chemist. But if you're unsure that your symptoms are definitely a yeast infection, you should speak to a GP to get a proper diagnosis.
It's really important to complete the full course of treatment to prevent thrush from coming back, even if you have a period during your treatment.
Sometimes, you might even need more than one course of treatment to banish thrush for good [5].
For your GP to diagnose a vaginal yeast infection, they'll need to examine the area, ask about your symptoms, and sometimes take vaginal swabs for an accurate diagnosis. For oral candida infections, they may need saliva samples. This will help them decide on the right treatment option for you [1].
When to see a doctor about your vaginal health
Some people treat their thrush effectively with medicine from the chemist and don't need to do anything else.
But it's definitely time to see a doctor if you:
- Aren't quite sure if your symptoms are thrush or something else
- Have had thrush several times in a short period (known as recurrent candidiasis)
- Have treated yourself with over-the-counter medicine, but symptoms aren't going away
- Have had recently had unprotected sex with a new partner
- Have other symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, coloured discharge, sores in the area, or pain [1].
Recurrent infection can also be a sign of more serious health problems, such as diabetes. So if the itchy pest isn't going away, or keeps making return visits, it's best to get some further advice.
Whether you're a seasoned thrush veteran, currently going through it, or just looking to make sure you avoid it the best you can — there's nothing to be ashamed of. Here's to living your best thrush-free life sooner rather than later.
Image credit: Getty Images
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