AKA:
Candidiasis (can-di-dy-uh-sis)
What is it?
Most girls have yeast in their vaginas, from puberty onwards. The yeast is called candida albicans. Not a baker's yeast. It's meant to be there. And most of the time it causes no problems. But sometimes, the yeast goes into overdrive. It replicates too fast. This can cause thrush.
It is not a Sexually Transmitted Infection. Virgins and nuns are at risk, too.
How do I know I have it?
Girls: Itchy, sore or swollen vulva, white cottage cheese-looking (but not smelly) vaginal discharge
Boys: Irritation or redness around the penis
How do I avoid it?
Sometimes it is unavoidable. Antibiotics can stir up thrush.
But if we should avoid strong (scented) soaps, bubble baths and shower gels. Stick to cotton nix. Change your tampon or towel often. Avoid panty liners on non-period days. Quit the skinny jean habit. And the big one: never douche.
How do I get rid of it?
Buy some treatment from the chemist. There are creams, pessaries (small tablets to put in the vagina) and other medicines available. Or get them on prescription from your GP
What else do I need to know?
If the treatment doesn't work - head for the doctors. You need to be sure this really is thrush. Sexually transmitted infections can cause discharge and soreness, too. These must be ruled out if your thrush doesn't get better with treatment. It's worth seeing the doc even if you've never had sex. If thrush keeps coming back, there's other treatments that can help.
Further help and advice
Thursh stuff from Brook
FPA info
NHS leaps to the rescue
Written by Dr Melissa Sayer
Last updated 17th June 2007
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anon, 13
i had thrush a while ago, it really hurt + was itchy.I got some cream, and it solved it.
Amy, 17
Not to worry if you get thrush - you can buy treatment at boots and other chemists, and it usually goes within a week. The treatments really do work!
Donna, 16
If you have thrush go and get treatment straight away. The sooner the better and the quicker it will go away. I had it on holiday and it was so difficult to enjoy myself with itchyness and swellings down there and i was so embarresed that i didn't tell anyone.
LC, 16
I had thrush and i just told my mum it was realy itchy down there, it feels like you want to turn yourself inside out and scratch! she just gave me tablets to take ovover 3 days and it stopped.
Deziree, 16
I had thrush before and it was horrible, but I didn't go to the clinic because I thought it would go after a while but the discharge developed even more frequently so I went to see my GP and she said to me not to leave it to the last minute next time if this should happen to me again. I advise the same!
Groombrige, 14
if u have thrush just tell your mum coz its natrul and she WILL no how to treat it
Chloe, 16
Seriously guys, if u hav thrush, don't suffer in silence. I've had thrush before, and it's best if you go to the doctor and get it sorted out quickly.
onelife
bodymind_everyone_thrush