Smiling young woman wearing red T-shirt, happy after Cantesten's treatment and complete relief from thrush and its 6 main symptoms

Thrush

It’s more common than you think. Thrush is a vaginal yeast infection caused by excessive growth of natural yeast-like fungus, called candida albicans. 

If you’ve noticed vaginal irritation and inflammation, you may have a yeast infection. This occurs when the good bacteria in your vagina cannot keep the fungus under control, or when your immune system is weakened. Just so you know, thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection.

Thrush Symptoms

You might have thrush if you experience:

  • Itchy vagina / vulva
  • Soreness, burning and redness around the entrance to your vagina (vulva)
  • Slight swelling of your vaginal lips (labia)
  • Cottage cheese-like white discharge
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Understanding thrush

We all know it’s uncomfortable but rest assured – thrush is usually easily treated. If you need further help, a pharmacist or doctor can help you decide the best medication option for you.

Thrush treatment

Vaginal yeast infection is treated with medication available over the counter from a pharmacy or on prescription from your doctor.

Treatment can be quite straightforward. To treat the infection, you can use a treatment that contains the active ingredient clotrimazole or fluconazole. Choose from the oral pill, pessary or internal vaginal cream. These products all treat your infection, but different people prefer different treatment options. External thrush creams will help to soothe your symptoms such as itching.

Remember: just treating the itchiness with an external cream won’t get rid of your infection so don’t forget to treat your thrush at the source, with oral capsule or vaginal solutions, such as an internal cream or pessary.

You can buy a Canesten combi pack containing both the internal and external treatments, such as CanesOral Duo or Canesten 1 Day Pessary & External Cream.

Preventing thrush

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After showering or swimming, make sure your vaginal area is thoroughly clean and dry.

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You should avoid fragrances during infection as well as other irritating chemicals, like perfumed soap, bubble baths or regular perfumed shower gels.

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Wipe from front to back after going to the toilet. This will prevent yeast from entering your vagina.

Facts about thrush

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It can happen to anyone - 75% of women will have thrush at least once in their lifetime1.

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Thrush is usually caused by candida albicans, a yeast naturally occurring in your vaginal microflora.

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You can help prevent yeast infections by avoiding high-sugar foods, stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, doing so will keep your immune system strong.

Frequently Asked Questions: