Does vaginal thrush cause vaginal discharge?

Thrush can cause a white, thick or lumpy discharge, often alongside itching, soreness, redness or stinging when urine touches irritated skin. It commonly has little or no strong smell. Normal discharge can vary with the menstrual cycle, so texture and colour need to be considered with your other symptoms.

Changes such as a strong or unpleasant smell, green or yellow colour, bleeding outside a period, pelvic pain or fever may point to another condition. A symptom page about Vaginal Discharge can help you organise what you have noticed, but it cannot replace an examination when symptoms are persistent or unusual.

Keep the area gently clean and dry, and avoid scented washes, deodorants and douching. Wear breathable underwear and change out of damp clothing. Do not insert products or use leftover treatment without checking that thrush fits your symptoms, especially if this is your first episode, you are pregnant, or symptoms keep returning.

A clinician may ask about the discharge, examine the vulva and vagina, and take a sample if the diagnosis is uncertain. Treatment depends on the cause; antifungal treatment helps thrush but will not treat every infection that changes discharge.

Arrange medical advice if symptoms are new, severe, recurrent, not improving after treatment, or accompanied by a strong smell, bleeding, sores, lower abdominal pain or fever. Seek urgent care for severe pelvic pain, feeling faint, or fever with marked illness.

Could this discharge be thrush or another infection? Do I need an examination or swab? Which treatment is suitable for me, and what should I do if symptoms return?