Vaginal thrush

thrush; candida; monila; yeast; vagina; young; people; youth; sexual; health; sexually; discharge; vulva; transmitted; disease; infection; foreskin;

Contents

• Signs of vaginal thrush
• Testing
• Treatment of vaginal thrush
• Prevention
• Sexual partners
• Resources
• References

Candida is the yeast organism causing thrush. Candida lives naturally on the skin, in the bowel and in the vagina. Normally it does not cause any problems.

Sometimes it starts to grow rapidly and causes a rash (thrush). This growth can be triggered by some things - like sexual intercourse, taking the pill, taking antibiotics, pregnancy or less commonly diabetes, but often there is no obvious reason. Some women rarely, if ever, get thrush, while some women can get it several times a year. Thrush in the vagina can cause a lot of discomfort.

Signs of vaginal thrush

Thrush can cause severe itching, a whitish discharge that looks rather like 'cottage cream' and stinging or burning on passing urine (wee). The vulva may be red and swollen. Similar signs can be caused by other conditions so you need to get it checked out by a doctor.

Thrush can also occur in the mouth (particularly in babies), on rashes (eg nappy rashes) and on the nipples of breast feeding mothers. See Thrush in our parenting topics for more information about these types of thrush.

Testing

The sure way to tell if you have it is for an internal examination and a laboratory test.

Treatment of vaginal thrush

The woman can get treatment to clear this up fairly quickly.

• This is usually a cream or pessaries. Pessaries are large tablets that are placed in the vagina and dissolve there to get the infection under control.
• There is a tablet that can be taken by mouth.
• There are also natural remedies. Shine SA has a leaflet 'Thrush and vaginal health using natural therapies'. To find this, look near the bottom of their list of leaflets. 
  http://www.shinesa.org.au/go/information-and-resources/shine-sa-resources/leaflets

Prevention

• Washing the anal-vulva area daily with a gentle soap is usually enough.
• Women who get repeated episodes of thrush may find it helpful to avoid tight fitting pants and pantyhose. These bring about warm moist conditions that the yeast loves. Cotton underwear is healthier than nylon or synthetic materials.
• Don't use douches or other things which may irritate the vagina.
• Some people find it useful to avoid using perfumed toilet paper.

Sexual partners

Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection but sex may irritate the vagina and allow candida to grow more than usual.

Male partners do not need to be treated.

Resources

South Australia

• The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
• Youth Health line 1300 13 17 19
  
• Shine SA (Sexual Health, information, networking and education - South Australia)
  http://www.shinesa.org.au
  Sexual Health Line: Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm
  Tel: 1300 883 793 Country callers 1800 188 171
• Clinic 275 - Sexually Transmitted Diseases Services, South Australia
  (08) 8222 5075 Country callers 1800 806 490.
  http://www.stdservices.on.net/
• Your doctor or local community health centre.

Australia

• Sexual health information developed by Australian researchers:
  http://www.yoursexhealth.org/

References

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Services South Australia 'Vaginal thrush' 
http://www.stdservices.on.net/publications/pdf/thrush.pdf

Department of Health, South Australia - Communicable Diseases Branch 'Thrush'
http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/ygw/thrush-pehs-sahealth-2009.pdf

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).