Itchiness is a common symptom of thrush, so you might be right. Take a look at our thrush page to see if you have any of the other common symptoms.

If you get thrush once it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get it again. However, to prevent the recurrence of thrush you may need to make some simple changes to your lifestyle. For example, you should avoid using deodorants and perfumed products around your intimate area and make sure to change your underwear after working out.

Click here for more top tips on preventing thrush. 

You can easily and effectively treat thrush at home with Canesten treatments available without prescription. We recommend you use a combination treatment to both clear the infection and calm the symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, swelling and soreness.  

Click here to see our full range of products. 

Our complete range of treatment options are all effective at treating your thrush infection. We offer a range of treatment applications and formats so everyone can find a treatment they’re comfortable with and suits their needs.  

Click here to see our full range to help you choose the treatment that’s best for you. 

Combination treatments are a 2 in 1 treatment for both the cause and symptoms of thrush. All combination treatments include an internal treatment (vaginal pessary, vaginal cream or oral capsule) and an external treatment (a tube of cream) to relieve symptoms like itchiness and inflammation. 

For combination treatment, try CanesOral Duo or Canesten 1 Day Pessary & External Cream.

No, you don't need a prescription to buy Canesten thrush treatments. They're available over the counter in pharmacies, following a consultation with the pharmacist. During this short consultation, the pharmacist will ask you a few questions. This is standard procedure and is to ensure they give you the right treatment. These questions may include:

• Are you under 18 or over 60 years of age?
• Have you ever had thrush before?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• What are your symptoms? 

During pregnancy women often get thrush because of the changes going on in the body, especially during the third trimester.  

You can treat thrush during pregnancy with vaginal Canesten thrush treatments that contain clotrimazole. You should not use oral thrush treatment as it contains fluconazole which should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and think you have a thrush, it is best talk to your healthcare professional before using any product to treat the infection. 

You can use Canesten thrush treatments during day or night. However, vaginal treatments are best to be applied before you go to bed, and you can expect some leakage with the product use. For best results, lie down as soon as possible after inserting the vaginal products. This will reduce leakage. You may want to use panty liners to protect your clothing during the time you are using Canesten. 

No, you can eat and drink normally while using Canesten thrush treatments.

It's best to avoid sex until thrush has cleared up. 
Important to know that clotrimazole cream can damage the latex used in condoms and diaphragms. This can mean your contraception will not work as well as it should. Consequently, you should use alternative precautions for at least five days after using Canesten thrush cream.

Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection, however if you are having sex with the same person (male or female) you can pass thrush back and forth. Some women suffer from recurrent attacks of thrush. To reduce the frequency of these attacks, the sexual partner’s penis can be treated with over-the-counter medication. Seek medical advice from your GP or Pharmacist before commencing treatment.

Yes, men can get thrush too, even though they may not experience any symptoms. 

Click here to learn more about thrush in men.

Yes. 70-75% of women will experience at least one episode of thrush in their lifetime, and 40-50% of women will experience at least one repeat episode¹.

1.Sobel JD, Lancet, 2007.

If this is the first time you have had thrush, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.

If you have experienced thrush in the past, you can visit your local pharmacy where the pharmacist will be able to recommend an appropriate treatment.

If you need support diagnosing your symptoms try Canesten Vaginal pH Self Test. Canesten Vaginal pH Self Test helps you to diagnose common vaginal infections in the comfort of your home, quickly giving you results that are over 90% accurate¹. It’s an innovative solution that will help put you back in control of your intimate health and give you the ability to request the treatment you need if you are suffering from thrush or consult with a doctor.

1. Nyirjesy, Paul, et al. "The performance of an innovative self-sampling test for vaginitis-Selfcare Journal”. SelfCare 2017;8(3):1-

Yes. Thrush is caused by a change in the pH balance of your vagina. These are some of the factors which can bring about this change:

• Antibiotics can destroy the friendly bacteria that keeps vaginal yeast under control
• Hormone changes brought on by pregnancy, the pill, or a period
• Poor diet, lack of sleep, or stress
• A weak immune system brought on by illness
• Over-use of chemical deodorants, perfumed bodywash or sprays near the vagina
• Tight or synthetic clothing creating a warm, moist environment

Yes, as antibiotics suppress the normal vaginal flora that controls the growth of yeast, allowing the yeast to take over.