What is recurring thrush?
Thrush, otherwise known as candidiasis, is an infection that’s caused by a type of yeast called Candida. It’s incredibly common, with statistics showing that three in four women are likely to experience at least one episode of it during their lives.
While thrush can be common in men too, women tend to experience the condition more often. In fact, approximately 5% of women are likely to experience recurrent bouts of thrush.
As its name suggests, recurrent or recurring thrush is when the thrush infection comes back repeatedly.
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), recurring thrush is when you experience four or more episodes every year.
Research into why recurring thrush affects some people and not others remains relatively uncertain and is ongoing. So, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you experience thrush regularly or are concerned.
How do I know if I have recurring thrush?
Recognising when you have thrush or need to seek medical advice can sometimes be easier said than done. This is because thrush can cause no symptoms at all in some people.
What’s more, when thrush does cause symptoms, these can also look different depending on your sex.
In women, some of the main symptoms to look out for include:
- Itching and irritation around the vulva or vagina
- White vaginal discharge (similar to cottage cheese) which doesn’t normally smell
- Soreness and stinging during sex or when peeing
Whereas men might experience:
- Irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
- Difficulty pulling back the foreskin
- A white, cottage cheese-like discharge
- An unpleasant smell
Thrush can also affect other areas of the skin, including the armpits, groin and between your fingers. So, if you notice yourself starting to develop a red, itchy rash that scales over with white or yellow discharge, this could indicate thrush.
If you aren’t sure whether your symptoms are thrush or not, it’s important to speak to your doctor, as they’ll be able to take a sample and provide you with personalised support.
To diagnose you with recurring thrush, your doctor may need to take a sample and look at it under a microscope for at least two of the episodes you experience in a year. Using this examination, they’ll be able to identify the specific microorganism responsible for your symptoms. If you have thrush, the culprit will usually be a yeast known as Candida albicans.
If you know you’ve experienced thrush more than twice over a six-month period, you should also seek specialist support from a pharmacist or doctor.
What are the causes of recurring thrush?
While the exact cause behind recurring thrush remains unknown, certain factors may increase your risk of developing it.
You may have a higher likelihood of experiencing recurrent thrush if:
- You’re taking certain medications, such as antibiotics, or undergoing chemotherapy treatment
- You have irritated or damaged skin
- You have poorly controlled diabetes
- You have a weakened immune system (for example, because of HIV)
- You’re pregnant
- You use products that could irritate your skin (such as perfumed soaps and bubble baths)
What are the treatment options for thrush?
There are several ways to treat thrush effectively when you notice your symptoms starting to appear.
Using an over-the-counter antifungal medication should help relieve your symptoms within two days if using an antifungal treatment containing fluconazole or within three days if using an antifungal treatment containing clotrimazole.
These over-the-counter medications come in various formats, including oral tablets, pessaries (a vaginal tablet) and creams, giving you the freedom to choose which option is most comfortable for you. They’re also available from local pharmacies, so seek advice from your pharmacist if you’re not sure which type to choose.
Some products, like Canesten® Thrush Combi Vaginal Pessary & External Cream, even offer a combined treatment that treats both the underlying infection and its symptoms.
However, it's important to note that if you experience thrush frequently (twice in six months), you should see your doctor. They might need to take a swab to confirm whether it is thrush you’re dealing with, how severe it is and work out why you’re experiencing it so often.
You may also need a different form of treatment if you find that over-the-counter medications aren’t making a difference to your symptoms.
What are the treatment options for recurring thrush?
If you’re diagnosed with recurrent thrush, your doctor may recommend a treatment like the Canesten® Oral Thrush Capsule, so it’s important to follow any instructions they provide you with.
However, finding the right course of treatment for you will also largely depend on your unique needs. For instance, your doctor will be able to make treatment recommendations based on factors like your age, other medications you’re taking and any medical conditions you might have.
What can I do to help prevent and manage recurring thrush?
When it comes to keeping thrush at bay, making various lifestyle changes may help to alleviate the symptoms you experience during each episode. Here are some lifestyle changes to consider:
- Change your bathing routine: instead of using soaps, bubble baths or shower gels while washing, use water and an emollient to wash any affected areas.
- Don’t use wet wipes: avoid using wet wipes in and around your genitals.
- Dry yourself properly: since the yeast that causes thrush thrives in warm, moist environments, make sure to dry yourself properly after bathing by using a clean towel.
- Wear comfortable underwear: avoid wearing tight underwear, tights, tight trousers or jeans, and opt for more breathable and absorbent types of materials instead (for example, cotton).
- Wash clothes correctly: while on the topic of clothes, avoid using fabric softeners when doing your laundry.
- Avoid sex when infected: while thrush isn’t classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the condition can be triggered or, in some cases, passed on during sex. Antifungal creams can also potentially damage condoms, so try to avoid having sex until the infection has cleared up.
While this advice may help to prevent or alleviate thrush, when dealing with recurrent bouts of thrush, it’s important to ask your doctor for support.
Keen to put what you’ve just learnt to the test? Take on our Thrush Trivia Quiz to test your knowledge of what causes thrush and its various symptoms!