Many people have a preconceived (and usually erroneous) understanding about thrush. It is quite a common misconception that thrush is a sexually transmitted infection, but in actual fact there are several reasons why thrush develops.
Sex on Female First
Another common myth is that thrush only affects women, but this is not the case. Both men and women can develop thrush. It is little surprise that such misconceptions persist about thrush, as it is unlikely to be a popular topic of conversation among friends and work colleagues.
Dr Hilary Jones is an independent GP and a medical adviser at HealthExpress.co.uk an online clinic, here he discusses the facts about thrush in more detail:.
What is thrush?
Thrush is a yeast infection that can be contracted in and around the genitals or orally. It is a common health problem amongst men and women and can be contracted in several different ways. Although thrush can develop after sexual intercourse, it can also develop due to wearing tight clothing, such as jeans or nylon underwear, as this prevents natural ventilation. Certain antibiotics can also result in thrush, and chemotherapy is also known to be a cause. Cosmetic products can also cause irritation to the genitals, resulting in the increase in the natural levels of yeast that is produced by the body, also commonly known as thrush. Symptoms are similar for men and women and can be very uncomfortable, but luckily the infection is easily treated.
Thrush in women
Women may notice itching, soreness and redness around the vagina, vulva and anus. An unusual vaginal discharge is also common, along with the possibility of pain while urinating and experiencing pain during sex.
Thrush in men
Like women, men may experience an irritation, burning or itching around the penis. Redness or red patches on the penis are common. Men may also experience discomfort passing urine and may develop a discharge under the foreskin.
You can help prevent thrush by cleaning your penis regularly and using a condom while having sex if your partner has thrush. Avoid using perfumed shower gels or soaps on your genitals, as they can cause irritation. Make sure you dry your penis properly after washing.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is fairly common and can affect men and women. It develops when levels of candida albicans fungus, which is naturally found in the mouth, increases. This can be the result of taking certain medications (particularly inhaled steroids), poor oral hygiene, smoking or a weakened immune system. Oral thrush is more likely to occur if you have diabetes; people with Type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to develop oral thrush when compared to those who don’t have diabetes.
Reducing the risk of oral thrush is easy. Make sure you keep your mouth clean, so always brush your teeth twice a day and have regular dental check-ups.
How to treat thrush
Thrush is a simple infection to treat, and depending on the severity of the infection you can use over-the-counter or prescription treatments.
You can buy many products from your local chemist, but if you have reoccurring thrush it is recommended that you visit your GP or a reputable online clinic such as HealthExpress.
Below I have listed some effective treatments to help treat thrush:
- Purchase an anti-thrush cream to deal with the symptoms on the skin
- For women, an anti-thrush pessary can be used to soothe the internal problem. A pessary is a specially shaped tablet or pessary that you insert into your vagina using an applicator, in a similar way to how a tampon is inserted
- Anti-thrush tablets are another option that can be used instead of creams and pessaries; these are taken by mouth and are called oral treatments.
Many people find thrush to be an embarrassing and uncomfortable health problem, but remember that it is extremely common and can be treated easily and quickly.”
tagged in Health Mens Health Women's Health