A-Z of sex word meaning

A yeast infection is a fungal infection that affects males and females, and causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina and the vulva, head of the penis and under the foreskin. It is also know as thrush and is usually harmless, but it can be uncomfortable. You will usually need medication to get rid of it. You’re more likely to get thrush if your skin is irritated or damaged, you’re taking antibiotics or you have a weakened immune system, for example poorly controlled diabetes. It’s not classed as an STI, but can be triggered by sex and sometimes passed on through sex.

To ease discomfort and/or prevent thrush from returning:

• Use water and emollient (like E45 cream or aqueous cream) instead of soap to wash the affected area
• Dry properly after washing
• Wear cotton underwear
• Take showers instead of baths
• Avoid sex until thrush has cleared up – if you do have sex, use a condom to help stop It spreading (but the antifungal cream can break the condom so avoid sex whilst using the cream)