{"product_id":"your-guide-to-thrush-he7031","title":"Your Guide to Thrush - HE7031","description":"\u003ch3\u003eSimple facts on identifying symptoms, treatment, and prevention.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is it?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCandidiasis, often called thrush, is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast called \u003cem\u003eCandida.\u003c\/em\u003e The most common type is \u003cem\u003eCandida albicans\u003c\/em\u003e, but other types of \u003cem\u003eCandida\u003c\/em\u003e can also cause symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall amounts of \u003cem\u003eCandida\u003c\/em\u003e often live on and inside the body, without causing any problems. Thrush happens when this natural balance changes and the yeast grows too much.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrush is very common and is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow do you get it?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrush can happen for no obvious reason. It is caused by changes in the natural balance of yeast and bacteria in the body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThings that can make thrush \u003cstrong\u003emore likely\u003c\/strong\u003e include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTaking certain antibiotics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing the combined oral contraceptive pill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHormonal changes: pregnancy, menopause, having a period\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiabetes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSweaty or moist skin, for example after exercise\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFriction, including after sex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeing run down or immunosuppressed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing perfumed soaps, body washes, or vaginal products\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSkin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHaving a foreskin, in people with a penis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough thrush is not usually an STI, yeast can sometimes be passed between partners during sex and may cause symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSymptoms\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrush often causes itching and irritation in the genital area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor people with a vagina,\u003c\/strong\u003e symptoms \u003cstrong\u003emay\u003c\/strong\u003e include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItching, burning, or irritation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThick white vaginal discharge, often described as “cottage cheese-like”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRedness or swelling of the vulva\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBurning or pain during sex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall cracks in the skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor people with a penis,\u003c\/strong\u003e symptoms \u003cstrong\u003emay\u003c\/strong\u003e include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRedness and itching on the head of the penis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoreness or irritation, sometimes worse after sex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItching in the groin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwelling or cracks in the skin in more severe cases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow do you get tested?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have symptoms, thrush can usually be diagnosed with a swab arranged by a doctor or nurse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you do not have symptoms, testing and treatment are not usually needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePartners do not need testing for thrush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTreatment\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrush is treated with antifungal medication. This may include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreams or vaginal pessaries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOral antifungal tablets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecurrent thrush\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrush is considered recurrent if you have four or more episodes in 12 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf this happens, see your nurse, doctor, or sexual health clinic. They may:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for other possible causes or infections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuggest longer-term antifungal treatment to help prevent it coming back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrevention \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo help reduce the chance of thrush:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid douching or using scented soaps, wipes, commercial feminine washes, or antiseptics in the genital area\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWear breathable cotton underwear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChange out of damp clothing promptly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid irritants that seem to trigger symptoms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsider using condoms if symptoms seem to flare with sex.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTelling your partners\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrush is not usually sexually transmitted, so partners do not normally need treatment. However, if a partner has symptoms, they should be checked and treated if needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere can I get help?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttend your local sexual health clinic or primary care provider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information on all things sexual health and STIs, visit the Just the Facts website: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.justthefacts.co.nz\/\"\u003eLife goes on, read Just The Facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCover image courtesy of THETA, models used for illustrative purposes only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HealthEd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49354087006436,"sku":"HE7031","price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/6916\/3582\/files\/HE7031.png?v=1783466473","url":"https:\/\/healthed.govt.nz\/products\/your-guide-to-thrush-he7031","provider":"HealthEd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}