Thrush Symptoms

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

Thrush has a number of very common symptoms. This means it’s usually quite easy for a doctor to diagnose and treat.

With the correct antifungal treatment from our online GPs, your thrush can clear up in 1-2 weeks, so it makes sense to see a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms. Leaving thrush untreated will mean it gets worse, which can leave you in pain and discomfort for several weeks.

Common vaginal thrush symptoms include:

Vaginal itching
Soreness
A burning sensation when you pee
Skin damage around the vagina, such as cracked skin, redness or swelling
Thick, white vaginal discharge
Pain during sex

Some women experience persistent thrush that returns even after it’s been successfully treated. There are a number of possible reasons that a yeast infection might keep coming back, which you can read about in our section on the causes of thrush.

Both thrush and bacterial vaginosis are fairly common. While one is a fungal infection and the other is bacterial, some of their symptoms are quite similar, so you may not be sure which it is.

Our doctors will be able to provide you with a correct diagnosis to make sure you get the correct treatment, while you can also look out for the following differences:

The discharge caused by thrush is often thick and white, while bacterial vaginosis has a thin, watery discharge.
For many women, bacterial vaginosis causes a fishy smell. Thrush does not do this.
Any itching or discomfort is fairly constant and intense if you have thrush, while for bacterial vaginosis it may come and go.
You can also look out for the visual signs of thrush, such as redness and skin irritation, as this isn’t a symptom of bacterial vaginosis.

As thrush is so common, many women prefer to deal with it discreetly and without fuss. However, it’s important to keep an eye on your symptoms and be aware of anything that may be a sign of a more serious health problem.

The following symptoms are not common for thrush and you should see a doctor about them as soon as possible.

Fever
Chills
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Strong-smelling discharge

You should also be extra-cautious if you notice any unusual sores or lumps around your vagina. While these symptoms can occur as a result of thrush, they could also be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection.

While it’s most often associated with women, thrush can also occur in men. It doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but when it does, they can include:

Soreness around the head of the penis
Irritation under the foreskin
Pain or difficulty when pulling back the foreskin
Thick, white discharge from the penis
A bad smell

Our doctors will be able to prescribe medication that will help you clear the infection up in under two weeks.

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

Thrush symptoms in women

Is it thrush or bacterial vaginosis?

Symptoms not to be confused with thrush

Thrush symptoms in men