Overview
Vaginal thrush is caused by overgrowth of Candida, usually after antibiotics, in pregnancy, with diabetes, or with hormonal change. It is not a sexually transmitted infection, although partners can occasionally develop symptoms.
Similar symptoms can be caused by bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas or dermatitis, so distinguishing between them matters - the discharge in thrush is typically thick and white without a strong odour.
When to seek urgent medical help
- • Fever, pelvic pain or foul-smelling discharge
- • Symptoms in pregnancy (oral fluconazole must be avoided)
- • Four or more episodes a year, or no response to treatment
Symptoms and signs
- Intense vulval and vaginal itching
- Thick white discharge, often described as cottage-cheese like
- Soreness, burning or stinging, particularly when passing urine
- Discomfort during sex
- Redness, swelling or small splits in the vulval skin
- In men, an itchy red rash or soreness of the glans
Management and treatment
Single-dose oral antifungal treatment or a pessary clears most episodes. Recurrent thrush needs an induction and maintenance regimen over several months alongside checks for underlying causes such as diabetes.
Your ChatDoc doctor confirms the likely diagnosis, screens for alternatives, prescribes the appropriate regimen and gives skin care advice to stop the itch-scratch cycle.
Prescription treatment options
Oral fluconazole 150mg
Single-dose treatment for uncomplicated thrush, not used in pregnancy.
Clotrimazole pessary and cream
Topical treatment suitable in pregnancy and for external symptoms.
Maintenance antifungal regimen
Weekly or monthly dosing over 6 months for recurrent thrush.
Skin care and trigger review
Emollient washes, avoiding irritants, and reviewing antibiotics, glucose control or contraception.
Any prescription is issued only after a doctor has reviewed your case and considers the treatment safe and appropriate for you.
Your online Thrush assessment
- 1
Tell us about your concern
Share symptoms, past treatments, medicines and relevant health information.
- 2
Upload clear photos
Upload photos of your concern where applicable.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers, but every assessment and prescription decision is made by a doctor, who may message you if they need more information.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
A personalised prescription is issued if treatment is clinically appropriate.
Prognosis and outlook
Symptoms usually improve within 1-3 days and resolve within a week. Vulval soreness may take slightly longer than the discharge to settle.
Recurrent thrush affects around 5-8% of women and responds well to a planned maintenance course rather than repeated single doses.
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This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Always seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. ChatDoc is not an emergency service. Call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) for life-threatening emergencies or 111 for urgent non-emergency help. Do not wait for an online reply.