Thrush Treatment for Women
Get female thrush treatment online, with prescribed treatment and free delivery.
Prices from £9.50
One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. How to Order
If you have symptoms of thrush, our service allows you to get the treatment you need quickly and with free delivery.
You can find more about the thrush treatment we offer for women further down this page. You can also choose to make an online account, where you can message one of our doctors for free.
Why choose us?
- Quick, easy to use service from the comfort of your own home
- One of our doctors will review your details to make sure the treatment is right
- Collect your treatment from your local Asda pharmacy or have it delivered to your door
- Free aftercare is included with your online account

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Vaginal Thrush Symptoms and Treatment
What causes thrush?
Thrush is caused by a fungus and is known as a yeast infection. The fungus that causes thrush is called candida albicans. This can live on the skin and usually does not cause any problems, until it begins to multiply too often. Many women get recurrent thrush, which is more than 4 times in a year. Each year around 138 million women worldwide get recurrent thrush. It is more common in women than men.
The cause of thrush is an overgrowth of fungus, but there are certain risk factors that can make this more likely to happen. Being pregnant increases your chances of developing thrush.
Other risk factors include:
- having damaged or irritated skin
- using perfumed shampoos, soaps or body wash
- taking antibiotics
- having poorly controlled diabetes
- taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
- having a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV
Symptoms of thrush
For women with thrush, the main symptoms include:
- itching or irritation inside and around the vagina
- stinging and soreness when you pee, and during sex
- discharge from the vagina which is white in colour and has no smell
If you have thrush on other parts of your body, you may have an itchy, red, or painful rash. The rash may look scaly with yellow or white discharge. It is harder to tell on darker skin. Some women may not get any symptoms at all when they have thrush.
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Female thrush can be found in warm, moist areas of the body. Thrush is usually found in the vagina, but can also be found in other areas of the body, such as:
- between the fingers
- inside the mouth
- the armpits
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Canesten Oral and Cream Duo
This is a 2 step treatment that contains 1 oral tablet and an external cream. The tablet contains 150mg of the active ingredient (medication) called fluconazole. This is antifungal medicine, meaning it can treat the cause of the infection. The cream contains an active ingredient called clotrimazole, which is also an antifungal treatment.
There is a single tablet that should be swallowed and taken with a glass of water. The cream should be used 2 to 3 times daily, for up to 7 days. Continue using the cream after your symptoms disappear and for as long as your doctor has told you, otherwise your thrush may come back. For vaginal thrush, fluconazole can help your symptoms go away within 7 days. With the use of clotrimazole, your external symptoms, such as discharge and itching, should get better within 3 days.
Fluconazole is usually fine for most women but can be unsafe while pregnant, so speak to your doctor before use. Clotrimazole cream is safe for most women, but speak to your doctor if you have never had thrush before, have blisters or ulcers on your vagina, or irregular bleeding.
Clotrimazole
This is the same treatment as Canesten, without the oral tablet. Clotrimazole is a cream that contains the active ingredient clotrimazole. It works as an antifungal treatment, meaning it kills the fungus that causes thrush. It can also relieve symptoms externally. You should only apply the cream to the outside of the vagina and on affected areas of the skin. You must use the cream 2 to 3 times a day, for up to 7 days. It may be prescribed for longer. It takes around 3 days to make symptoms better.
Speak to your doctor if you have had thrush more than twice in 6 months, have had an STI, or you have unusual bleeding from your vagina.
Clotrimazole cream and pessary combo
You can also get the clotrimazole cream along with a pessary that contains 500mg of clotrimazole. This is a vaginal tablet that is inserted at night time using an applicator. The cream is applied to the outside of the vagina and on the affected areas of skin, as above. This can be done 2 to 3 times a day to soothe your external symptoms until they get better. The pessary will treat the internal causes of thrush.
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Yes, thrush treatment can be given over the counter but this means it will not be prescribed to you. Our service allows you to get thrush treatment and have your information reviewed by a doctor. This means you know you are getting the right treatment and can discuss your concerns with a doctor at any time, for free, on your online account. Your treatment can be delivered to your home, with free delivery, meaning you can get thrush treatment without leaving the house.
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Clotrimazole cream
Common side effects can include:
- stinging or burning sensation around the affected area of skin
- inflamed, red skin
If you get any of these side effects, try using less cream on the areas. If the side effects do not go away on their own, stop treatment and speak to your doctor or pharmacist about an alternative medication. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Clotrimazole does not come with serious side effects but as with any medication, there is a chance of an allergic reaction. If you have trouble breathing, begin to swell around your mouth or face, or you get a skin rash, call 999 or visit A&E right away.
Fluconazole tablet
Fluconazole is the tablet that is included in the Canesten Oral and Cream Duo and has some common side effects, including:
- stomach pain
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (being sick) or diarrhoea
- rash
- headaches
As you will only be taking a single dose of this medication, side effects are less likely and should go away within a few days. Treat side effects as you usually would, by resting and keeping hydrated. Make sure to take the tablet with a full glass of water, to reduce the chance of nausea and vomiting (being sick).
Fluconazole can have some serious side effects, including:
- irregular or fast heartbeat
- allergic reaction
- liver problems, such as yellow skin, pale poo, and dark pee
- blood related problems, like bruising easily
As you are only taking one dose, these side effects are rare but speak to your doctor or visit A&E right away if you have any of them.
Pessary
Common side effects can include:
- rash
- discomfort or irritation
- burning
- pelvic or stomach pain
Rare side effects can include:
- bleeding
- genital peeling
- swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs
If you do get any of the common side effects, they should go away within a few days. If you get any of the rare side effects, or show signs of an allergic reaction to clotrimazole, you should speak to your doctor or seek urgent medical help.
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Clotrimazole cream is used externally, meaning it does not go inside the vagina or body. It is usually safe whilst pregnant or breastfeeding but always speak to your doctor first to make sure.
Before using clotrimazole, speak to your doctor if you have:
- had thrush more than twice in 6 months
- never had thrush before
- open sores on, or around, the vagina
- had an STI
- abnormal bleeding from the vagina, or discharge containing blood
Fluconazole, which is the oral tablet, can interact with some medications including:
- statins (for high cholesterol)
- quetiapine or pimozide (used for mental illness)
- losartan (for high blood pressure)
- reboxetine (for treating depression)
- carbamazepine (for epilepsy
- erythromycin (an antibiotic)
- warfarin (a blood thinner)
- ergotamine (for migraines)
- amiodarone (for health problems)
If you use any medications, including the ones listed above, speak to your doctor before taking fluconazole.
Fluconazole may not be suitable for you if you have:
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- heart disease
- had an allergic reaction to fluconazole before, or any other medications
- abnormal levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium in the blood
- acute porphyria (a rare blood disorder)
Fluconazole is not recommended during pregnancy but sometimes one dose can be given, if your doctor has told you it is okay. Fluconazole may be used during breastfeeding but only if your doctor has told you to.

Dr Kathryn Basford is a qualified GP who works as a GP in London, as well as with ZAVA. She graduated from the University of Manchester and completed her GP training through Whipps Cross Hospital in London.
Meet our doctorsArticle created: 01 Sep 2021
Last reviewed: 01 Sep 2021
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Candida - skin (2017) NICE (accessed 11 August 2021)
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Canesten® Thrush Duo Oral Capsule & External Cream BAYER (accessed 11 August 2021)
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Clotrimazole Cream 1% (2020) EMC (accessed 11 August 2021)
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Clotrimazole for thrush (Canesten) (2019) NHS (accessed 11 August 2021)
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Clotrimazole: A Review of its Antifungal Activity and Therapeutic Efficacy (2012) Springer Nature (accessed 11 August 2021)
Thrush Treatment


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