Should my partner get treated for thrush if no symptoms?

[Ruby-Mae]

I keep getting thrush after sex. Should my partner be treated for thrush even though he doesn’t have any symptoms? Would him taking fluconazole effect him negatively if he has no symptoms of thrush?

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

About thrush in men

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. Both men and women can get thrush, though it is more often associated with women.

The medical term for thrush is candidiasis.

What it looks like

In men, it usually affects the head of the penis – causing irritation, discharge and redness.

Read more about the symptoms of thrush

It can also affect the skin, known as candidal skin infection, and the inside of the mouth, known as oral thrush.

Should I see a doctor?

If you suspect thrush for the first time, it's best to see a doctor for a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms can be similar to those of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Your GP will be able to tell the difference.

If you've had thrush before and you recognise the symptoms, you can treat it yourself with over-the-counter medication.

You should also visit your GP if you have a weakened immune system and you have thrush. This is because there is a risk that a thrush infection could progress to a more serious case of invasive candidiasis. Read our page on the complications of thrush for more information about invasive candidiasis.

Treating and preventing thrush

You can treat thrush without prescription medications. For thrush affecting your penis, ask your chemist for clotrimazole cream or a tablet called fluconazole. For thrush infections in your groin or elsewhere, the chemist can supply a cream.

It's possible for thrush to spread during sex, but it's not an STI. However, both sexual partners may need thrush treatment to prevent re-infection. Re-infection from a female partner is common. Seek advice from a pharmacist or your GP.

However, not all cases are caused by sex, and many cases develop in men and women who are not sexually active.

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Hi. The annoying thing can be reinfection. You might want to iron the gusset area of all of your and your partners underwear after they’ve been through the wash. Obviously check the labels first but that bit is most often cotton. And also pj trousers.