What are the treatment options for thrush?
Topical treatments
There are various pessaries and creams which you insert into the vagina with an applicator. They contain anti-yeast medicines such as clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole, or miconazole. Commonly, a single large dose inserted into the vagina is sufficient to clear a bout of thrush. However, you may also want to rub some anti-yeast cream onto the skin around the vagina for a few days, especially if it is itchy. You can get topical treatments on prescription, or you can buy them at pharmacies. Side-effects are uncommon, but read the product label for full information.
Tablets
Two options are available. Fluconazole, which is taken as a single dose, or itraconazole which is taken as two doses over the course of one day. You can get these treatments on prescription, and you can also buy fluconazole from pharmacies without a prescription. Side-effects are uncommon, but always read the product label for full information. Do not take these if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You may also want to rub some anti-yeast cream onto the skin around the vagina for a few days, especially if it is itchy.
Tablets and topical treatments are equally effective. Tablets are more convenient, but are more expensive than topical treatments.
What if treatment does not work?
If you still have symptoms after a week from starting treatment, see your doctor or nurse. Treatment does not clear symptoms in up to 1 in 5 cases. Reasons why treatment may fail include:
- The symptoms may not be due to thrush. There are other causes of a vaginal discharge. Also, thrush can occur at the same time as another infection. You may need tests such as a vaginal swab to clarify the cause of the discharge or other symptoms.
- Most bouts of thrush are caused by Candida albicans. However, about 1 in 10 bouts of thrush are caused by other strains of Candida such as Candida glabrata. These may not be so easily treated with the usual anti-yeast medicines.
- You may not have used the treatment correctly.
- You may have had a quick recurrence of a new thrush infection. (This is more likely if you are taking antibiotics, or if you have undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes.)
Average rating:
Di Pearson, about 1 year
Nice and clearly explained. Pity I didn't come across this a few months ago when I was red raw! I have also taken the step of changing my pants, initially from my normal thong to cotton pants and then on to a brand called Dermasilk. I heard about them when my son was prescribed some clothes from the range for his eczema by the GP and looked on their website to find out more about them. The pants are very fine, breathable silk and the external itch seemed to stop in no time at all. 2 birds killed in one shot. Danny's eczema is definitely calmer and I'm off the creams.
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