Genital itch
Quick facts:
- Genital itch is usually caused by thrush which is an overgrowth of Candida yeast which naturally occurs in the vagina.
- It is not considered a sexually transmissible infection (STI) but can be transmitted to the penis of sexual partners which sometimes causes irritation.
- Symptoms can be treated with vaginal creams, pessaries and tablets.
Itch around the vagina and the soft skin outside of the vagina is most commonly due to thrush. Thrush may cause infection of the end of the penis, producing a tender or itchy red rash. Thrush is usually caused by the yeast Candida albicans (a type of fungus) which is normally and harmlessly present in the vagina, mouth, throat, gut, and skin. When the yeast overgrows in the vagina, it may cause thrush symptoms.
Itchy rashes in the groin are extremely common in Australia due to the warm climate. These are usually due to fungal infections caused by the same fungi which produce athlete's foot and ring worm.
Signs and symptoms
Vagina
With thrush you may notice:
- genital itch, burning, soreness
- a change in vaginal discharge
- cracks or splits in the skin and swelling
- burning sensation and pain when passing urine and during sex.
Penis
With thrush you may notice:
- a red rash on genitals, especially under the foreskin which may be itchy
- discomfort or irritation at the end of the penis
- cracks or splits in the foreskin and swelling.
Treatment
Thrush can be treated with anti-fungal creams, pessaries or tablets which can be purchased without a prescription at a pharmacy. It is important to see your doctor if you are not sure if you have thrush, have had several episodes, experience pain or abnormal bleeding, or have tried thrush treatments and your symptoms didn't improve.
Thrush is usually identified by your doctor based on symptoms. If you have severe or recurring episodes, a swab may be taken to identify the infection and rule out other causes. Thrush creams can damage the latex in condoms and diaphragms so you may want to delay sex until after treatment is completed.
Prevention
Thrush can occur for no obvious reason. Causes of a yeast overgrowth can occur following a course of antibiotics or immunosuppressive medication, during pregnancy, when taking a high oestrogen contraceptive pill or on postmenopausal oestrogen therapy, if you have diabetes, pre-existing skin conditions, or the area is often moist with friction like when undertaking physical activity.
Using hygiene products or perfumes near genitals can disrupt the naturally occurring balance of yeast and other organisms.
Health outcome
The occasional episode of thrush can be very uncomfortable but rarely causes long term damage. If sex is painful due to thrush, it can lead to chronic pain so early discussions with a health professional and treatment are recommended. Recurrent thrush may require longer term treatment, and this should be discussed with your doctor.
Other resources
For information on thrush in Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Thai, or Vietnamese go to the StaySTIFree website. Other translated resources about STIs are available from the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland.
Help and assistance
Get qualified health advice 24/7 for the cost of a local call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
This factsheet provides general information and is not intended to replace the need to see a health professional or have a sexual health check. For more information on thrush or sexual health please talk to a healthcare provider. A doctor, nurse or health worker can assist with:
- providing appropriate tests, treatment and information about how to prevent STIs
- helping people to ensure that their sexual partners get tested and treated.