First the Facts

• Candidiasis or ‘thrush’ is a yeast infection
• It can affect both men and women
• It is usually easily treated with a short course of antifungal medication
• It is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

How Does Thrush Develop?

• Thrush is caused by a yeast called Candida. Candida albicans is the commonest type of Candida
• Candida lives naturally on the skin in most healthy people
• Overgrowth of Candida can cause symptoms in some people
• Certain conditions can cause overgrowth of Candida, including:
  • Diabetes
  • Medications such as steroids and antibiotics
  • Conditions affecting the immune systems such as HIV
• You can also get thrush from unprotected sex with an infected partner

How Will I Know If I Have Thrush?

Symptoms of penile thrush include:

• Irritation and/or redness affecting the head of the penis (balanitis)
• A clear or white discharge
• An offensive smell
• Itch

How Can I Prevent Thrush?

• Thrush develops in warm, moist conditions
• After washing, keep your penis dry and wear loose-fitting underwear, preferably made from cotton
• Do not use soaps and shower gels when washing your penis
• Although it is not an STI, if your partner has thrush, you can use condoms to prevent transmission

Where Can I Get Tested?

• If you are experiencing symptoms for the first time, you should see a doctor or nurse
• This is because you may need to be tested for other infections that present in the same way
• You can see a doctor or specialist nurse at:
  • A sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinic
  • A young person’s / contraception clinic
  • Your GP

What Is the Treatment?

• An anti-fungal capsule (fluconazole) or cream (clotrimazole) can easily treat thrush
• Treatment only takes a few days and is available from the pharmacy
• You do not need a prescription
• Sex is best avoided until you have completed your treatment, to prevent passing the infection back and forth. A condom can split, so it is better to not have sex at all for this time

What Happens If I Get Thrush Again?

• Thrush can come back at anytime
• You can treat this yourself with antifungal medication from the pharmacy
• You should see your doctor if:
  • Your symptoms do not improve after treatment
  • You have more than 4 episodes of thrush per year
• This is because you may need further tests to identify an underlying cause
• You may need an extended course of treatment or a different treatment

Written by: Dr David Rook and Dr Paula Briggs
Last updated: January 2021