Thrush - what it is, how to prevent it, and how to treat it
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Talking to your doctor about sexual health

Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.

Are there any symptoms?

In the vagina, thrush can cause a thick clumpy white discharge and feel very itchy. The skin around the vagina may also be red, swollen and sore.

Under the foreskin and on the head of the penis, thrush can cause itch, redness or white patches, swelling and irritation.

How do you catch Thrush?

Thrush isn’t an STI that you get from sexual partners.It’s an overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast on the body. The overgrowth can be triggered by anything that disrupts the balance of healthy organisms in the vagina or under the foreskin. It can be triggered by certain medications like antibiotics or contraceptive pills. Some people will notice it is linked to their menstrual cycle. It grows best on warm, moist skin and is more likely to occur if you wear tight fitting clothes or live in a hotter climate.

If you notice any changes in your body, it’s a good idea to get tested

How can you prevent Thrush?

  • It’s a good idea to avoid soap, bubble baths or perfume in your vagina. This can affect the balance of normal yeast in your vagina
  • Make sure you rinse and dry under your foreskin using warm water, every day and after having sex
  • Wearing cotton underwear and avoiding tight-fitting clothes can also help if you’re prone to thrush.

Testing and treatment for Thrush

It is super easy to get treatment for thrush at a pharmacy. You may not need a prescription for this. If this doesn’t help or the infection keeps recurring it’s important to get advice from your doctor.

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