---
title: "Thrush: symptoms, causes & treatment | Sanara Health"
description: "Thrush is a common yeast infection causing itching and discharge. It is easily treated with antifungal medicine — but recurrent thrush needs proper assessment."
url: "https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/conditions/thrush/"
source: "Sanara Health"
licence: "Quote with attribution and a link to the url above."
---
# Thrush: symptoms, causes & treatment

Thrush is a common yeast infection causing itching and discharge. It is easily treated with antifungal medicine — but recurrent thrush needs proper assessment.

Editorial information by **Kaiser Khan**. Not clinically reviewed.

## Symptoms

- Itching and soreness
- Thick white discharge
- Discomfort during sex or urination
- Red, swollen vulva or penile irritation

## Why it happens

Candida yeast overgrowth, often after antibiotics, during pregnancy, with diabetes, or when immunity is reduced. It is not classed as an STI but can pass between partners.

## Treatment

Single-dose oral capsule or topical cream clears most thrush within days. Partners may need treatment if symptoms keep returning.

## Self-care that helps

Avoid perfumed soaps; cotton underwear; complete the full course; do not use douches or harsh washes.

## When to get help

Recurrent thrush (4+ times a year), symptoms under 16, pregnancy, or not improving after treatment — get reviewed.

[See our thrush support →](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/medicines/)

Go deeper

## Related guides

[Thrush treatment online UK: symptoms, tablets and when to retest — How to treat thrush online in the UK — oral capsule vs cream, partner treatment and when symptoms need STI screening.](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/guides/thrush-treatment-online-uk/)

Available without prescription

## Products that can help

[Everyday health — Vitamin D3: 1000 IU explained](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/vitamin-d3-1000iu/)

[Everyday health — Omega-3 fish oil](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/omega-3-fish-oil/)

[Everyday health — Daily multivitamins](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/daily-multivitamin/)