Thrush treatment for women and men
Thrush is a common yeast infection and is usually easy to treat. If you’ve had thrush before and recognise the symptoms, order a pessary, cream or capsule after a quick pharmacist check, delivered discreetly from our pharmacy in Bury.
Thrush treatments we offer
| Treatment | Use | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Canesten Thrush Pessary 500mgVaginal pessary · clotrimazole | One pessary, inserted at night | from £9.99 |
| Clotrimazole 500mg pessaryVaginal pessary | One pessary, inserted at night | from £8.49 |
| Canesten Internal Cream 10%Vaginal cream · clotrimazole | One applicator of cream, at bedtime | from £9.99 |
| Canesten Thrush CombiPessary plus external cream | One pessary, plus cream for itching outside | from £13.49 |
| Canesten Combi soft gel pessary and creamPessary plus external cream | One soft gel pessary, plus cream for itching outside | from £13.49 |
| Fluconazole 150mg capsuleCapsule, taken by mouth | One capsule, for women and men aged 16 to 60 | from £2.99 |
| Canesten Thrush External Cream 2%External cream · clotrimazole | Soothes itching around the vagina or penis, 2 to 3 times a day | from £9.99 |
| Canesten Cream 1%External cream · clotrimazole | Thrush on the penis or skin, 2 to 3 times a day | from £4.99 |
Thrush pessaries, internal cream and capsules are pharmacy medicines, so a pharmacist checks your answers before we send them. Not sure which you need? Call the pharmacy on 0161 222 1024.
How to get thrush treatment online
Choose a treatment
Pick a pessary, cream or capsule from the table above.
Answer a few questions
A short pharmacist check that the treatment is right for you.
Discreet delivery
Your treatment is sent from our pharmacy in Bury in plain packaging.
If treatment isn’t right for you, we explain why and refund you in full.
Delivery: choose standard delivery (£3.99) or Special Delivery (£9.99) at checkout.
See a GP or sexual health clinic instead if:
- it’s the first time you’ve had thrush symptoms
- you are under 16 or over 60
- thrush keeps coming back (more than 4 times in 12 months)
- treatment hasn’t worked
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you have a weakened immune system, for example from diabetes, HIV or chemotherapy
Don’t use antifungal thrush treatment more than twice in 6 months without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
Pessary, cream or capsule: which is right for me?
They all treat thrush. Most people only need a single dose.
- Pessary or internal cream: you put it into your vagina at bedtime, using the applicator. Clotrimazole works inside the vagina, where the infection is.
- Fluconazole capsule: you swallow one capsule. It suits people who would rather not use a pessary. It isn’t suitable during pregnancy, and you should tell the pharmacist if you have heart, kidney or liver problems or take other medicines.
- External cream: soothes itching and soreness around the vagina, or treats thrush on the penis. Use it alongside a pessary or capsule if the skin outside is itchy too.
Thrush should clear up within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. If your symptoms haven’t improved after 7 days, see a GP.
Antifungal creams and pessaries can damage condoms and diaphragms. They may not work as well for at least 5 days after you finish treatment.
What is thrush?
Thrush is a common infection caused by a yeast called Candida. Candida normally lives on the skin and in the vagina without causing problems. Thrush happens when it grows more than usual. Thrush isn’t usually serious, and it isn’t classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Thrush symptoms
In women:
- white vaginal discharge, often like cottage cheese, which doesn’t usually smell
- itching and irritation around the vagina and vulva
- soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee
In men:
- irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
- a white discharge, like cottage cheese
- an unpleasant smell
- difficulty pulling back the foreskin
What causes thrush?
Thrush is more likely if:
- your skin is irritated or damaged
- you are taking antibiotics
- you have diabetes that isn’t well controlled
- you have a weakened immune system
- you are having hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- you are pregnant
Thrush isn’t an STI, but it can sometimes be triggered by sex or passed on during sex. If you think a medicine is causing your thrush, don’t stop taking a prescribed medicine. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
Thrush in men
Men can get thrush, usually on the head of the penis and under the foreskin. Thrush is one cause of balanitis, when the head of the penis becomes red, swollen and sore. Clotrimazole cream on the affected skin, or a single fluconazole capsule if you are 16 or over, can treat it. See a GP if it’s the first time, it keeps coming back or treatment hasn’t worked.
Thrush or bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
Thrush usually causes itching, with a thick white discharge that doesn’t smell. Bacterial vaginosis usually causes a thin, watery, greyish-white discharge with a strong fishy smell, especially after sex, and doesn’t usually cause itching or soreness. Thrush treatments don’t treat BV. See our BV treatment page for prescription tablets, gel and cream, and lactic acid gels such as CanesBalance gel. If you’re not sure which you have, see a GP or sexual health clinic.
Thrush in pregnancy
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, see a GP or midwife before treating thrush. Thrush capsules (fluconazole) aren’t usually suitable during pregnancy. A clotrimazole pessary or cream is usually recommended instead.
How to help ease thrush and stop it coming back
- wash with water and use an emollient (moisturiser) instead of soap
- dry properly after washing
- wear cotton underwear
- avoid sex until thrush has cleared
- don’t use perfumed soaps, shower gels, douches or vaginal deodorants
- don’t wear tight underwear or tights
Oral thrush
Thrush can also affect the mouth. Oral thrush causes white patches that leave red areas when wiped, cracks at the corners of the mouth, a bad taste or pain in the mouth. It isn’t contagious. A pharmacist can recommend an antifungal mouth gel, which is suitable for adults, children and babies over 4 months. See a GP if it hasn’t improved after 1 week of treatment, or if it hurts to swallow. Call us on 0161 222 1024 for advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get thrush treatment online?
What gets rid of thrush the quickest?
Is thrush an STI?
Can men get thrush?
Can antibiotics cause thrush?
Why do I keep getting thrush?
How do I know if it’s thrush or BV?
Can I treat thrush when I’m pregnant?
Get your thrush treatment
Choose a treatment from the table, then follow the steps on its page. A pharmacist checks every order before it is sent.
Choose your treatmentThis page is general information and does not replace advice from your GP or pharmacist. Sources: NHS thrush, clotrimazole, fluconazole, oral thrush, balanitis and bacterial vaginosis pages.