Candida

Thrush is caused by the overgrowth of a fungus called candida.

We all have many germs living on or inside us all the time. Some of these germs are helpful to us – for instance, ‘friendly’ bacteria in the gut help us to digest our food. Many others don’t cause any harm, or any symptoms, unless they grow too much. Candida is one of these.

Fungi like warm, moist, airless places, and a vagina is a perfect home for them. Small numbers of candida commonly live on the skin and around the vaginal area. Most of the time, they don’t cause any problems. However sometimes they multiply and cause thrush symptoms.

Candida can also cause fungal skin infections and mouth infections (oral thrush). See those leaflets for more information.