Conditions and symptoms
What Is Vulvovaginal Candidiasis? Vaginal Thrush Explained
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis · say it: vul-voh-VAJ-ih-nul kan-dih-DY-uh-sisAlso written: vaginal thrush, vaginal yeast infection, VVC, thrush, candidal vaginitis
Short answer
Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a vaginal yeast infection (thrush), usually caused by Candida, with itching, soreness and thick white discharge.
What it means
Vulvovaginal candidiasis, commonly called thrush, is an infection of the vagina and vulva by Candida yeast. Small amounts of Candida normally live there; an infection happens when it overgrows. Symptoms include itching, soreness, stinging when passing urine, and a thick, white discharge that usually does not smell strongly.
It appears on antifungal labels, such as fluconazole tablets and clotrimazole or miconazole creams and pessaries, as an indication. It also appears as a possible side effect on labels of antibiotics, steroids and SGLT2 inhibitor diabetes medicines, because these can make yeast overgrowth more likely. Over-the-counter packs often advise seeing a doctor for first episodes, pregnancy or frequent infections.
Thrush is different from bacterial vaginosis (BV), which tends to cause a thin, fishy-smelling discharge, and from sexually transmitted infections. Symptoms can overlap, so testing helps when unsure.
Where you may see it
- Antifungal pessary, cream and tablet labels
- SGLT2 inhibitor and antibiotic labels under 'Genital mycotic infections'
- Sexual health clinic results
📄 How it looks on a report
Genital mycotic infections, including vulvovaginal candidiasis, were reported more often with this medicine.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Thrush is not usually a sexually transmitted infection.
- Not every itchy discharge is thrush; BV and other infections can look similar.
- Being listed on a diabetes or antibiotic label does not mean you will get it.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Vulvovaginal Candidiasis”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Clindamycin Phosphate
A lincosamide antibacterial medicine
- Doxycycline
a tetracycline-class antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic)
- Empagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a prescription medicine that works on sugar handling in the kidneys
- Estradiol
An estrogen hormone medicine
- Metronidazole
An antimicrobial medicine of the nitroimidazole type, used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Vulvovaginal Candidiasis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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