The Pharmacy Care section is a sponsored resource, however, the sponsor has no influence over the content, which is editorially independent.
Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
If you wish, myDr can notify you via email when this article is updated. Your notification settings can be changed at anytime by updating your member profile.
This feature can only be used when you register. Not a myDr member? Register now, it's free and takes only a minute!
Here you can increase the font to your preferred size. This setting will be saved temporarily, however if you are a registered member, this can be saved into your personalised profile.
Vaginal thrush is a common condition and many women will be affected by it at some time in their lives. Some women suffer from recurrent episodes.
Thrush is a fungal infection caused by a yeast called Candida albicans. Symptoms include itching, irritation or a burning sensation in your genital area, and pain may be present during sexual intercourse. There may be a thick, white or creamy vaginal discharge.
Thrush can be triggered by taking a course of antibiotics, pre-menstrual changes in vaginal acid balance, hot weather or wearing tight-fitting synthetic clothes. It can also be brought on by using vaginal deodorants, bath salts and some soaps. Sometimes sexual intercourse and using tampons can lead to thrush, especially if your vagina is dry.
Taking oral contraceptives, being pregnant, having poorly controlled diabetes and having conditions that affect the immune system, can also make thrush more likely.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
Most products used to treat vaginal thrush are ‘pharmacist only’ or ‘prescription only’ medications, so you will need to talk to your pharmacist or doctor to obtain treatment.
You also need to see your doctor if:
this is the first time you have had symptoms of thrush
you have had more than three thrush infections in the past year, or an infection within the last two months
your symptoms have not gone away, despite treatment
you are pregnant or breastfeeding
you also have lower abdominal pain, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea
you are under 16 or over 60 years old
you have diabetes or are taking medicines that suppress the immune system, such as prednisone
you have a coloured or smelly vaginal discharge
your symptoms are different to previous thrush episodes
you have had a recent change in sexual partner
you have spotting between periods or a blood-tinged discharge
you have blisters or sores in your vaginal area
there is burning on urination
Treatment Tips
do not use soap, especially perfumed soap, on sore or irritated skin
Pinetarsol Gel can soothe irritation and reduce itching
Things you can do to avoid recurrent thrush
wear loose cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing
wipe from ‘front to back’ after going to the toilet
avoid soaps, deodorants or talcum powder in the genital area
avoid deodorised panty liners, bath foams or salts, or vaginal douches
using a water-based lubricant during intercourse, or when inserting tampons if your vagina is dry
avoid spermicidal condoms
shower after exercising
try Aci-Jel, which helps maintain the correct vaginal acidity; it may help prevent thrush that occurs at a particular time during your menstrual cycle
these products are available in single-dose, three-day or six-day treatments
the single-dose treatments are more convenient
longer treatment may be required, especially if the infection is well established
creams and pessaries are supplied with disposable applicators; they should be inserted high into the vagina, preferably at bedtime
treatments can be used during menstruation
a combination pack is available which includes an oral tablet and a tube of cream for external use on the genital area; this can be useful for reducing itching and should be applied two or three times a day
some of these products may damage diaphragms and condoms; check the manufacturer’s directions
it is important to complete the full course of treatment
apart from butaconazole, all antifungal vaginal products are safe in pregnancy; however, the applicator should not be used to administer the cream or pessary
treatment of your sexual partner is not necessary as thrush is not sexually transmitted. Males should be treated only if they have thrush themselves
these are single-dose treatments; the medicine stays in the body for up to 72 hours and is shown to be as effective as the vaginal imidazole treatments
these oral antifungal medicines should only be used by people aged under 18 years old if they are recommended by a doctor
these products should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or by people with a history of liver disease or certain heart conditions
these products can also interact with some other medicines; check with your pharmacist
combination products, such as Canesoral Duo, also include an antifungal cream which can reduce itching
onset of relief may be expected within one day, and complete relief is possible within two days; if symptoms persist after a week seek medical advice
Other antifungal medicines
[PHARMACIST ONLY]
e.g. nystatin (Nilstat Vaginal) vaginal cream or pessary
nystatin is less effective than the vaginal imidazole antifungals and oral fluconazole
treatment courses are for a minimum of 14 days
do not use with diaphragms or condoms
nystatin may stain clothing
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
This web site is intended for Australian residents and is not a sbstitute for independent professional advice. Information and interactions contained in ths Web site are for infomation purposes only and are not intended ot be used to diagnose,treat , cure or prevent any disease.Further , the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information available on this web site cannot be guaranteed. MIMS Australia Pty Ltd, its affiliates and their respective servants and agents do not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incured by use of or relance on the information made available via or throught myDr whether arising from negligence or otherwise.
See Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.
