What is candidiasis?
Candidiasis (or thrush as it is often called) is an infection caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans. Candidiasis is not usually sexually transmitted, so partners normally don't require treatment.
What are the symptoms?
In women an abnormal white or creamy yellow vaginal discharge. It's quite thick, with a slight yeasty odour. The skin around the vagina may become red, inflamed, itchy and may extend to around the anus. Men can also develop thrush on the foreskin and head of the penis as an itchy rash. This is called balanitis.
It's normal for men and women to have small numbers of this yeast in the genital area but a range of factors may cause the yeast to overgrow and symptoms can develop. Some of these factors include: recent antibiotics, diabetes, pregnancy soaps and detergents used in the genital area, tight clothing that promotes excessive sweating.
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