Thrush Treatment for Women

Thrush treatment for women comes in several different forms and which one you use depends on personal preference and which helps relieve symptoms fastest for you.

Vaginal thrush treatment can come in the form of:

• an oral tablet
• a pessary (a tablet inserted directly into your vagina)
• an external or internal cream – external cream can reduce symptoms and is usually taken alongside a tablet or pessary while an internal cream can be used on its own to treat thrush

Let’s explore these options in more detail so you can choose the right treatment for you:

Fluconazole 150mg capsule

What is it?

This is a generic capsule containing 150mg of the active ingredient fluconazole. It’s an antifungal medicine, so it treats the cause of the infection by killing the fungus causing thrush.

How to take it

Fluconazole 150mg is a single capsule that should be swallowed whole and taken with a glass of water.

How long does it take to work?

It can help your symptoms go away and treat thrush within 7 days.

Who can take it?

Fluconazole is usually fine for most women but can be unsafe while pregnant, you should speak to your doctor if you are considering the treatment. You should also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

• acute porphyria (a rare, inherited blood disorder)
• a heart condition
• ever had an allergic reaction to the medication
• liver or kidney problems
• abnormal levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium shown in a blood test

Clotrimazole 1% cream

What is it?

Clotrimazole 1% cream is a generic vaginal thrush medication that contains the active ingredient clotrimazole, an antifungal treatment. It works by killing the fungus that causes thrush.

How to take it

The thrush cream should be used 2 to 3 times daily, for at least 2 weeks. You should only apply the cream to the outside of the vagina and on affected areas of the skin. Continue using your thrush cream after your symptoms disappear and for as long as your doctor has told you, otherwise your thrush may come back.

How long does it take to work?

Clotrimazole vaginal thrush cream can help treat external symptoms, such as discharge and itching, which should get better within 3 days.

Who can take it?

It’s safe for most women, but speak to your doctor if you have:

• never had thrush before or have had it more than twice in 6 months
• blisters or ulcers on your vagina
• irregular bleeding
• used an external cream before and got side effects like irritation or burning
• had an STI

Fluconazole 150mg capsule and clotrimazole 1% cream combination treatment

What is it?

This is a 2-step treatment that contains 1 oral capsule and an external cream to soothe symptoms like burning and irritation.

How to take it

Fluconazole is taken as a single capsule and clotrimazole 1% cream is applied externally 2 to 3 times daily, for at least 2 weeks. These are the same treatments as above but taken in combination for maximum relief.

How long does it take to work?

The fluconazole tablet can help your symptoms go away and treat thrush within 7 days. Clotrimazole cream can help treat external symptoms, such as discharge and itching, within 3 days.

Who can take it?

Fluconazole can be unsafe while pregnant, so speak to your doctor before use. You should also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

• acute porphyria (a rare, inherited blood disorder)
• a heart condition
• ever had an allergic reaction to the medication
• liver or kidney problems
• abnormal levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium shown in a blood test

Clotrimazole vaginal cream is safe for most women, but speak to your doctor if you have:

• never had thrush before or have had it more than twice in 6 months
• blisters or ulcers on your vagina
• irregular bleeding
• used an external cream before and got side effects like irritation or burning
• had an STI

Brand names

You can also find fluconazole 150mg and clotrimazole 1% cream under the branded name ‘Canesten Thrush Duo Oral Capsule & External Cream’. Both of these treatments work in the same way but generic treatments are often cheaper.

Clotrimazole 500mg pessary and 1% cream combination treatment

What is it?

Clotrimazole 500mg pessary and 1% cream are both generic treatments containing clotrimazole. This is a 2-step treatment, meaning you take both treatments together to treat thrush and get optimal symptom relief.

How to take it

A pessary is a vaginal tablet that is inserted at night time using an applicator, right before you go to sleep. It will treat the internal causes of thrush and you only need to use one 500mg pessary. The 1% cream is applied to the outside of the vagina and on the affected areas of skin. This can be done 2 to 3 times a day to soothe your external symptoms until they get better, usually for 2 weeks.

How long does it take to work?

The clotrimazole pessary and external thrush cream should treat symptoms within 3 days but you’ll need to take treatment for longer to effectively get rid of thrush. Your doctor will advise you about how long you will need to use the cream to complete your treatment.

Who can take it?

The clotrimazole vaginal pessary is safe for most women, but you shouldn’t take it if you’re allergic to clotrimazole or you’re having your period. In this case, you’d have to wait until your period has finished or use an oral tablet like fluconazole instead.

Clotrimazole vaginal cream is safe for most women, but speak to your doctor if you have:

• never had thrush before or have had it more than twice in 6 months
• blisters or ulcers on your vagina
• irregular bleeding
• used an external cream before and got side effects like irritation or burning
• had an STI

Brand names

You can also find clotrimazole 500mg pessary and clotrimazole 1% cream under the branded name ‘Canesten Thrush Duo Pessary & External Cream’. Both of these treatments work in the same way but generic treatments are often cheaper.

In a recent clinical trial, over 90% of women reported improved thrush symptoms and quality of life when using fluconazole and clotrimazole either as a single or combination treatment. The research also showed that:

• 42% of women found symptom relief within 4 hours of taking their treatment, while 76%-88% of women reported symptom relief within 1 day.
• Thrush tablets took around 1-2 days to relieve symptoms, while topical creams and pessaries were reported to help within 1 day.
• Combination treatments provided faster symptom relief than single-product treatments.

Yes, vaginal thrush treatment can be bought over the counter but this means it will not be prescribed to you. Our service allows you to get female 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 patient account.

Your treatment can be delivered to your home, with free delivery, meaning you can get thrush treatment without leaving the house. You may also need to see a doctor if you’ve got thrush for the first time or if you’ve had thrush more than once in 6 months, as you may be at risk of recurrent thrush.

Vaginal thrush treatment, like all medications, can cause some side effects. This will depend on which type of treatment you take, but most side effects are mild and go away once you stop using the medication.

Clotrimazole cream and pessary

Common side effects of clotrimazole 500mg pessary or internal cream include:

• stinging, pain, or burning sensation after inserting the pessary
• discomfort or swelling in or around the vagina
• vaginal bleeding
• lower stomach or pelvic pain

When taking a single 500mg pessary, it’s unlikely to have side effects that last a long time, as you only need to take the treatment once. Let your doctor know if these side effects last for several days after you’ve finished treatment.

Common side effects of clotrimazole 1% external cream include:

• pain, burning, or stinging sensation
• red, irritated skin

If you get any of these side effects, try using less thrush 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. Check your patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects.

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

Common side effects of fluconazole include:

• 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.

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 experience any of them. Check your patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects.

Thrush can be diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional who’ll ask about your symptoms. If they aren’t sure, they may perform an examination or a swab test.

Your doctor may want you to take an STI test as thrush can have similar symptoms, so it’s good to rule this out.

If you aren’t sure whether you have thrush, it’s best to seek medical advice before getting treatment.

Symptoms of vaginal thrush

The main symptoms of vaginal thrush 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 (like cottage cheese) and has no smell

It’s important to note that not everyone gets symptoms whilst they have thrush.