Vaginal thrush is an inflammation in the vagina commonly caused by a yeast organism called Candida albicans. In the UK, 3 out of 4 women will have vaginal thrush at some point during their life, so it is very common.


Candida is an organism naturally found in the body and in fact can be life saving in particularly circumstances. It is usually kept at harmless levels but a strong immune system and healthy body, but if the Candida gets an opportunity to grow and quickly, it can lead to vaginal thrush. Many women also find that they can get a recurring problem, this is usually because the underlying cause is not dealt with – only the symptoms are treated. If you suffer from recurring yeast infections and have more than 4 in a year, it is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vaginal Thrush Symptoms
For some women, they may not experience any symptoms when it comes to vaginal thrush. This is fairly uncommon though and dangerous as if you do not know you have a problem it is more likely to grow into a bigger issue or a chronic yeast infection. Chronic yeast infections can start causing other problems in the body including diabetes.

Below is a list of some of the symptoms of thrush:

  • Soreness
  • Irritation
  • Thick white discharge, which is usually odorless (may also be watery)
  • Itching
  • Pain/soreness during sex
  • Swelling and cracked skin of the vulva

Vaginal Thrush Causes
There are many different reasons and causes to why you may have a yeast infection. Things like taking antibiotics, pregnancy and a weakened immune system are all contributory factors. Other things include a diet high in fat and being overweight. In these cases you may experience a recurring yeast infection unless you overcome the lifestyle habits that are causing the thrush problems. Stress is another factor that can contribute to your chances of developing thrush.

Vaginal Thrush Diagnosis
If you go to your Doctor, they will ask you about what symptoms you have. They will also ask you if you have had thrush in the past too. Generally Doctors will diagnose you by your symptoms alone, however if you have severe symptoms or have a recurring problem, then your Doctor will take a swab from your vagina to confirm the diagnosis.

Vaginal Thrush Treatment
If you have mild symptoms you may be given a short course of anti0fungal medication from your Doctor. This can be taken orally or intravaginally. Intravaginal treatment is usually in the form of creams or a pessary which is a small tablet you insert into your vagina.

Whether you are given oral or intravaginal treatment is dependent on an number of factors including:

  • Your age – Under 16s are not given intravaginal treatment as it isn’t recommended.
  • Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • What contraception you are using
  • What treatment you would prefer.

Some treatments contain imidazoles which can damage condoms and diaphragms, so it is important to let your Doctor know what types of contraceptives you use. Some oral medications have also been reported to affect and stop the oral contraceptive from working too.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then you will be prescribed an intravaginal treatment instead of an oral one.

If you continue to have symptoms after 14 days then it is best to go back and see your Doctor.

Vaginal Thrush Self-Help
There are many vaginal yeast infection treatments available over the counter that do not require a prescription. If you are sure you have one then this could be a quicker way to resolve it then waiting to see the Doctor. It is important that you are sure that you have one though so ask your pharmacist for advice if unsure.

Other things that you can do to help yourself is to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Eat a low fat diet and exercise regularly. Also try to keep stress to a minimum.