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<meta name="description" content="Easy to understand information on candida or thrush and its treatment ">
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<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" vlink="#666699" alink="#990099"><!--msnavigation--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tr><td><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">
      <p align="left"><font size="6"><strong><img src="../sti/_derived/candida_htm_cmp_shastd2000_bnr.gif" width="650" height="60" border="0" alt="thrush"></strong></font></p>
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          <td width="21%" valign="top" bgcolor="#D8EAFE"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><p align="center"><a href="/"><img src="../images/ca_curdy_balanitis10_small.jpg" alt="ca curdy balanitis10.jpg (9841 bytes)" border="2" width="100" height="65"></a></p>
            <h6 align="center"><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Penile thrush with balanitis<!--mstheme--></font></h6>
            <p align="center"><a href="../sti/vulvalthrush"><img src="../images/ca_curdy_vulva31_small.jpg" alt="ca curdy vulva31.jpg (31178 bytes)" border="2" width="100" height="137"></a></p>
            <h6 align="center"><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Curdy vulval thrush<!--mstheme--></font></h6>
            <p align="center"><a href="/"><img src="../images/oral_thrush16_small.jpg" alt="oral thrush16.jpg (15755 bytes)" border="2" width="100" height="137"></a></p>
            <h6 align="center"><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Oral thrush<!--mstheme--></font></h6>
            <p align="center"><a href="../sti/image"><img src="../images/film.gif" alt="film.gif (2646 bytes)" style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255); color: rgb(255,255,255); border: medium none rgb(255,255,255)" width="117" height="68"></a></p>
            <p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.agum.org.uk/CEG/S19_thrush.html"></a></p>
            <p align="center"></p>
            <!--mstheme--></font></td>
          <td width="79%" valign="top"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366"><a name="What">What</a> is it?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
            <p>A yeast known as candida lives normally on skin, in the mouth and gut. It can flare up
        from time to time in some individuals causing thrush.</p>
            <h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Is it common?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
            <p>Yes. At least 3 out of 4 women will experience it at some time. A much smaller
        proportion will suffer from it on a regular basis. It is much less common in men.</p>
            <h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">How does it show itself?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
            <p>The yeast may be present without you knowing it however you may have one or more of the
        following symptoms.</p>
            <h5><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Women<!--mstheme--></font></h5>
            <blockquote>
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="top" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">itching, soreness and redness around the vagina and its
              `lips` (vulva) and `back passage` (anus). Can cause a <a href="../sti/vulvitis">vulvitis</a>
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">thick, white discharge looking like cottage cheese.
              Smells yeasty. 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">pain during sex 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">pain when passing water 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
              <!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">
            </blockquote>
            <h5><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Men<!--mstheme--></font></h5>
            <blockquote>
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="top" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">irritation, burning, itching, redness and red patches
              under the foreskin or on the top of the penis 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">thick, cheesy discharge under the foreskin 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">difficulty pulling back the foreskin 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">discomfort when passing water 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
              <!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">
            </blockquote>
            <h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">What can cause it?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
            <p>Thrush is more likely to develop when you,</p>
            <blockquote>
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="top" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">are pregnant 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">wear tight jeans or nylon underwear 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">are taking certain antibiotics 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">have diabetes 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">are unwell or ill 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">are taking the contraceptive pill 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">have unprotected sex with someone who has thrush 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
              <!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">
            </blockquote>
            <h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Can it be treated?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
            <p>It is usually quite easy to treat using pessaries (such as <a href="../medications/canestan">canestan</a>) with or without creams. A pessary is an
        almond-shaped tablet a women puts high up into her vaginal using a special applicator. On
        the other hand a pill may be given if pessaries have failed to work.</p>
            <h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Can anything else be done?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
            <p>The following may help in some cases;</p>
            <blockquote>
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="top" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Avoid washing yourself too frequently or using
              disinfectants and bubble bath in the water. 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Stop using soap and clean yourself with just water. 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Some women gain relief by inserting a tampon soaked in
              plain, live yoghurt then removing it. There is not much evidence to prove this works. 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Use pads rather than tampons during a period 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Avoid tight fitting clothing and underwear made from
              nylon. Stockings are better than tights. 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Women should wash and wipe the genital area from `front
              to back` 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
                <!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Inform your doctor if you think you may have developed
              thrush after taking antibiotics. 
              <!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
              <!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">
            </blockquote>
            <h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Anything else?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
            <p>Sometimes thrush can be passed on through sex so if it keeps returning it may be wise
        to have any regular <a href="../sti/partconcern">partners</a> checked.</p>
            <p>Having sex during treatment may delay healing so it would help to avoid this until it
        has cleared up. </p>
            <p><a href="../sti/candida"><img src="../images/topengl.gif" alt="wpe2.gif (959 bytes)" width="27" height="27"></a> </p>
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