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  1. Home
  2. Intimate Health
  3. Learn About Women’s and Men’s Intimate Health
  4. What is thrush?
Smiling young woman with curly hair, wearing a blue shirt, happy after Canesten thrush treatment

What is thrush?

Learn what thrush is and the yeast infection symptoms to help identify it. Discover what thrush treatments there are, and what you can do to prevent recurring thrush.

Thrush 

It’s very common, but you rarely hear it in conversations between women. So, let’s talk about thrush. Thrush is a common yeast infection caused by a simple imbalance of natural vaginal fungus, predominantly Candida Albicans. 

Normally, the things that keep candida in check are: good immune system, good bacteria (called lactobacilli) and healthy pH level. However, when the conditions in your vagina change to less acidic, bacteria start to overgrow. This in turn could lead to a yeast infection.

It’s common that every 3 out of 4 women get thrush at least once in their lifetime. Many women also suffer from recurring thrush. However, there are some circumstances that can make you more prone to getting this yeast infection. There are multiple causes and triggers for thrush, however, you are more at risk of getting thrush if: 

  • You are pregnant

  • You have recently finished a course of antibiotics

  • You have diabetes

  • Having sex, whilst you are on your period

  • You have HIV

Don’t worry! Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection.

Thrush symptoms

There are some common symptoms of thrush that are easy to spot and recognise. You should remember that everyone is different, so yeast infection symptoms can vary and can be mild, moderate or more complicated.  

You should watch out for these common thrush symptoms:   

  • Feeling of itchiness, burning, soreness of your vagina and redness and swelling of vaginal lips. 
  • Cottage cheese-like discharge – whitish and thick appearing and odorless discharge, 
  • Uncomfortable feeling when having sex.

Did you know? Men can also suffer from thrush. Find out more about thrush in men.

If you are experiencing thrush for the first time, you should see a doctor. Once you are diagnosed with thrush, you can start treatment at home. Fortunately, thrush doesn’t usually take long to clear up, but you should also consider seeing a doctor if:

  • You are under 16, 

  • You experience thrush, more than twice in 6 months, 

  • Treatment has not worked, 

  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding, 

  • Your immune system is weakened, for example you have diabetes, HIV infection or are undergoing chemotherapy.

Still Unsure About Your Symptoms?

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This AI-powered symptom checker can help match possible conditions with your symptoms. Simply answer a few symptom-related questions and receive a personal symptom assessment† report.

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Thrush treatment

In most cases, it is easy to treat and soothe vaginal thrush. For complete relief, you should use both internal products which will treat the infection and external cream which can help relieve your symptoms. Canesten offers a range of products like oral capsules, soft gel pessary, vaginal pessary and internal vaginal and external creams, so you can decide which treatment option is more comfortable for you to use. Thrush should clear up within a week after one dose of medicine and/ or using the cream daily. Do not be tempted to use external cream only. It will help soothe symptoms of vaginal yeast infection, but it won’t get rid of the cause of thrush.

You don’t need a prescription to buy Canesten thrush treatments and you can use Combi products to treat both the internal infection and calm the external symptoms.

Canesten Canesfresh Gentle Refreshing Mousse

Thrush prevention

Some people suffer from recurring thrush which may be caused by their lifestyle choices. If thrush symptoms are a problem, you can change some habits to help stop yeast infection from coming back. First of all, you should remember that your intimate area has different pH than the rest of the body so using regular, perfumed soaps and shower gels can disturb the pH balance in your vagina. You should consider using Canesfresh Daily Foaming Wash which is specifically designed to gently cleanse and help protect your intimate area.

Wearing very tight and synthetic underwear and clothes such as tight leggings can encourage the growth of candida because of the trapped moisture. It is also recommended to change wet clothes like swimming costume or workout outfit straight away. Other tips for avoiding thrush include:

  • Avoid using deodorants and douches in and around your vaginal area

  • Avoid stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your immune system strong

  • Avoid high sugar foods

  • Change your tampons and pads frequently

  • Ensure you wipe from front to back when in toilet to avoid spreading the bacteria from your anus to your vagina

  • Avoid very long, hot baths

Thrush, also known as a yeast infection can happen to anyone. It is easy to spot the symptoms such as thrush discharge and treatment can be very straightforward. However, if you suffer from recurring thrush, taking probiotics can help you maintain the natural levels of good bacteria in your vagina. Canesflor delivers probiotics directly to your vagina in a convenient vaginal capsule format.

Related Articles

Young woman with dark hair thinking about answer to Canesten thrush quiz

Thrush Trivia Quiz

Thrush is quite common, but how much do you know about it? Take our Thrush Trivia Quiz to test your knowledge on the causes of thrush and other candida symptoms. Share your results if you wish!

Take our Thrush Trivia Quiz
Happy young pregnant woman wearing yellow jumper and pointing to her tummy

Thrush in Pregnancy

Learn everything you need to know about having vaginal thrush during pregnancy. Find out how to prevent and treat a vaginal yeast infection. If you are pregnant and think you have a thrush, talk to your healthcare professional before using any product to treat the infection. Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.

LEARN MORE
Smiling young man in a grey jumper, happy after Canesten thrush treatment

Male thrush: causes and symptoms

Learn more about male thrush symptoms. Including how to reduce the risk of developing a yeast infection, prevention, and yeast infection treatments.

LEARN MORE
Smiling young woman with red hair, wearing a green shirt, happy after Canesten bacterial vaginosis treatment

What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?

Learn what bacterial vaginosis (BV) is from BV symptoms to how to prevent BV, and how to treat it. Find out what the differences between thrush and BV are today.

LEARN MORE
Smiling young woman with dark hair, wearing a red shirt, happy after Canesten cystitis treatment

What is Cystitis?

Learn what cystitis is such as what the symptoms and causes of this urinary tract infection (UTI) are. You can also find out about how to treat and prevent cystitis here.

LEARN MORE
Active young woman wearing tank top, standing in empowered pose against a sunny backdrop

Vaginal infections: what you need to know

Learn how to identify the symptoms and causes of vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV). Discover our tips on how to improve your vaginal health here.

LEARN MORE
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CanesOasis Cystitis Relief 4g granules for oral solution contains sodium citrate. For Thrush: Canesten 100mg Pessary; Canesten 200mg Pessary, contain clotrimazole. Canesten Thrush Combi: Internal & External Creams 10% w/w vaginal cream & 2% w/w cream; Pessary & External Cream 500mg pessary & 2% w/w cream; Soft Gel Pessary & External Cream 500mg vaginal capsule & 2% w/w cream contain clotrimazole. Canesten Thrush: External Cream 2% w/w cream; Internal Cream 10% w/w vaginal cream; Pessary 500mg pessary; Soft Gel Pessary 500mg vaginal capsule contain clotrimazole; Oral Capsule 150mg capsule contains fluconazole. Canesten Thrush Duo Oral Capsule & External Cream 150mg capsule & 2% w/w cream contain fluconazole and clotrimazole. Canesten Athlete’s Foot 1% w/w Cream; Canesten Cream, for fungal infections including nappy rash; Canesten Dermatological Spray, treatment for fungal skin infections, contain clotrimazole. Canesten Hydrocortisone Athlete’s Foot 1%, 1% w/w Cream, Canesten Bifonazole Once Daily Athlete’s Foot 1% w/w Cream contains bifonazole. Canesten Antifungal Cream, contains clotrimazole. Always read the label.

 

† This tool is brought to you by Ada in collaboration with Canesten® where it is hosted.
The Ada symptom assessment tool is a medical device registered in the European Union. Registration in other markets is pending. The Canesten website is not a registered medical device.
By opting to start the assessment, you will leave the Canesten website and enter the Ada symptom assessment tool.
Within the Ada symptom assessment tool, you will be asked a series of questions about your health and symptoms to help Ada generate a symptom assessment report.
Once this assessment report is generated, you will have the option to download it from the Ada symptom assessment tool. Bayer has no access to your personal data or assessment report. Ada is solely responsible for handling your personal data in accordance with their Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
If your assessment indicates a possible women’s intimate health condition - such as thrush, BV or cystitis - you will be given further options: find out more about these possible causes, find a local pharmacist and find out about Canesten products. At this time, you will be navigated back to the Canesten website and your Ada journey will end. Bayer is solely responsible for all content on the Canesten website.
Important note: Ada is not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional and therefore does not replace your healthcare professional's advice or an appointment with your doctor. This symptom assessment tool cannot and is not intended to give you a medical diagnosis. Should your symptoms persist, get worse or if additional symptoms are noticed, please immediately seek professional medical attention.
Please speak to your healthcare professional if:

  • you are at all unsure about your symptoms or have any questions
  • you have never had thrush before and you think you might have it

If your healthcare professional has informed you of a diagnosis already, please follow their instructions carefully.

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