Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
Vaginal thrush is another term for a vaginalyeast infection. It is very common, and the vast majority of people with vaginas will experience vaginal thrush at least once in their lives.
Most cases of vaginal thrush are easy to treat. However, some people experience recurrent thrush, also known as recurrent vaginal candidiasis. This type of vaginal thrush may be more difficult to treat effectively.
alfexe / Getty Images
Vaginal Thrush Symptoms
Common symptoms of vaginal thrush include:
The skin of the vulva and around the vagina may also be red, irritated, or cracked. With severe thrush, sores may be visible, but sores on thevulvaare more likely to be a sign of a different condition.
Did You Know?Vaginal thrush is one of the most common types of vaginal infection. Another extremely common vaginal infection, with similar symptoms, isbacterial vaginosis. Both conditions involve an imbalance that leads to an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast that are ordinarily in the vagina at levels too low to cause problems.One of the distinguishing symptoms of bacterial vaginosis is that the discharge usually has an unpleasant or fishy odor, while the discharge from vaginal thrush is odorless.
Did You Know?
Vaginal thrush is one of the most common types of vaginal infection. Another extremely common vaginal infection, with similar symptoms, isbacterial vaginosis. Both conditions involve an imbalance that leads to an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast that are ordinarily in the vagina at levels too low to cause problems.One of the distinguishing symptoms of bacterial vaginosis is that the discharge usually has an unpleasant or fishy odor, while the discharge from vaginal thrush is odorless.
Vaginal thrush is one of the most common types of vaginal infection. Another extremely common vaginal infection, with similar symptoms, isbacterial vaginosis. Both conditions involve an imbalance that leads to an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast that are ordinarily in the vagina at levels too low to cause problems.
One of the distinguishing symptoms of bacterial vaginosis is that the discharge usually has an unpleasant or fishy odor, while the discharge from vaginal thrush is odorless.
These fungi are normally present as part of theflora of a healthy vagina.Thrush occurs when something causes the amount ofCandidato increase to a level where it causes symptoms.
Vaginal thrush is not thought to be a sexually-transmitted disease. It can beassociated with sexual behavior.However, it’s thought that the association with sex is not about disease transmission but changes in the vaginal environment that encourage the growth of yeast.
Most vaginal thrush is diagnosed based on a combination of symptoms and a vaginal swab. The swab is used to look for the presence of yeast in the vaginal secretions.
Vaginal pH tests may also be used to look for a change in the normal acidity of the vagina. If the vaginal pH is altered in the context of vaginitis symptoms, the infection is more likely to be bacterial vaginosis.Home testslook for this change in pH rather than directly for yeast in vaginal secretions.
The first time you experience symptoms that could be vaginal thrush, it is important to talk to a doctor. Similar symptoms could be associated with a number of different conditions. However, people with frequent or recurrent yeast infections may be able to diagnose themselves at home and use an over-the-counter treatment.
How Yeast Infections Are Diagnosed
Vaginal Thrush in Transgender Women
Transgender women who are experiencing discomfort or other symptoms after they have gone through the initial surgical healing period should consider seeking help from either their surgeon or a gender-affirming gynecologist.
A gynecologist may be more likely to correctly diagnose these symptoms, which can be treated with topical miconazole. However, for some women it may be easier to first reach out to either their surgeon or another clinician with expertise in transgender health.
Common medications for vaginal thrush include:
Treatment is different for recurrent episodes of vaginal thrush than it is for single, isolated episodes.
Treatment Resistant ThrushAntibiotic resistanceisn’t only a problem for bacterial infections, likegonorrhea. Vaginal candidiasis may also be resistant to treatment with azoles. There are growing reports of treatment-resistant cases of vaginal thrush. People with azole-resistant candidiasis have limited options for effective treatment.When prescribed an antifungal, it is extremely important to take the full prescription, even if symptoms go away before you’re done. This reduces the likelihood of the infection becoming resistant to treatment.This is also true for use of over-the-counter yeast treatments, where it is important to follow the instructions and take the full dose.
Treatment Resistant Thrush
Antibiotic resistanceisn’t only a problem for bacterial infections, likegonorrhea. Vaginal candidiasis may also be resistant to treatment with azoles. There are growing reports of treatment-resistant cases of vaginal thrush. People with azole-resistant candidiasis have limited options for effective treatment.When prescribed an antifungal, it is extremely important to take the full prescription, even if symptoms go away before you’re done. This reduces the likelihood of the infection becoming resistant to treatment.This is also true for use of over-the-counter yeast treatments, where it is important to follow the instructions and take the full dose.
Antibiotic resistanceisn’t only a problem for bacterial infections, likegonorrhea. Vaginal candidiasis may also be resistant to treatment with azoles. There are growing reports of treatment-resistant cases of vaginal thrush. People with azole-resistant candidiasis have limited options for effective treatment.
When prescribed an antifungal, it is extremely important to take the full prescription, even if symptoms go away before you’re done. This reduces the likelihood of the infection becoming resistant to treatment.
This is also true for use of over-the-counter yeast treatments, where it is important to follow the instructions and take the full dose.
For most people vaginal thrush is a minor inconvenience. It is uncomfortable but generally easy to treat. However, for some people dealing with recurrent vaginal thrush, the difficulty with treatment and the ongoing symptoms can take a psychological toll.
Recurrent vaginal thrush symptoms can lead to depression, body image issues, anxiety about sex, and other quality of life concerns.Individuals who have vaginal thrush symptoms that aren’t responding to treatment should talk to a gynecologist or other provider who is knowledgeable about sexual health.
Vaginal thrush symptoms are nonspecific and can also be associated with other infectious and noninfectious health conditions. If treatment isn’t working, particularly if it’s a home treatment, it’s possible that you could be treating the wrong thing.
A Word From Verywell
Whether you call it vaginal thrush or a yeast infection, vaginal candidiasis can be an uncomfortable topic. Many people have difficulty discussing sexual health symptoms with their medical providers. They may have a difficult time talking about sex, and they also may be worried about the possiblestigmaof asexually transmitted disease.
However, it is important to seek help if you are experiencing vaginal discomfort, discharge, orpain during sex. Treatment can make an enormous difference in your quality of life, but only if you’re treated for the right thing.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, Henriques M, Azeredo J, Silva S.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: Epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors.Crit Rev Microbiol. 2016;42(6):905-927. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2015.1091805
Bradford LL, Ravel J.The vaginal mycobiome: A contemporary perspective on fungi in women’s health and diseases.Virulence. 2017;8(3):342-351. doi:10.1080/21505594.2016.1237332
de Haseth KB, Buncamper ME, Özer M, et al.Symptomatic neovaginal Candidiasis in transgender women after penile inversion vaginoplasty: A clinical case series of five consecutive patients.Transgend Health. 2018;3(1):105-108. doi:10.1089/trgh.2017.0045
Dovnik A, Golle A, Novak D, Arko D, Takač I.Treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis: a review of the literature.Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2015;24(1):5-7. doi:10.15570/actaapa.2015.2
Genovese C, Cianci A, Corsello S, Ettore G, Mattana P, Tempera G.Combined systemic (fluconazole) and topical (metronidazole + clotrimazole) therapy for a new approach to the treatment and prophylaxis of recurrent candidiasis.Minerva Ginecol. 2019;71(4):321-328. doi:10.23736/S0026-4784.19.04388-0
Fukazawa EI, Witkin SS, Robial R, Vinagre JG, Baracat EC, Linhares IM.Influence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis on quality of life issues.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2019;300(3):647-650. doi:10.1007/s00404-019-05228-3
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
