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Facts

What is fungus?

Fungus around the genitals is caused by a yeast called Candida albicans. The yeast is normally found in small amounts on the mucous membrane of the mouth, intestine and vagina without giving rise to symptoms or disease. Only if the growth conditions change can the fungus spread and cause disease.
Ikke alle sexsygdomme giver symptomer

Fungus in the vagina is very common. Approx. 5% of everyone who has a gynecological examination will have signs of fungus, but this is only approx. 1/3 of these who will have symptoms.

How does fungus infect?

Fungus is not a classical venereal disease, but if you have a vagina, you can transmit the condition to sexual partners. Conversely, if you have a penis, fungus cannot infect others during sex. The condition can be transmitted through sex through finger sex or sex toys in the vagina.

There are some conditions that can increase the development of fungus. In the case of:

  • Treatment with antibiotics (which removes the normal lactic acid bacteria in the vagina)
  • Menstruation (which temporarily weakens the immune system)
  • Pregnancy (better growth conditions for the fungus due to the increased amount of estrogen and a certain weakening of the immune system)
  • Diabetes
  • Reduced immune system (e.g. untreated HIV infection, transplant patients)


Finally, some otherwise healthy people have recurring fungus for no known reason

It is not possible to prevent fungus in vaginas. Condom protects the penis against fungus. If you share sex toys, you must change the condom when the sex toy changes users (or wash it). For finger sex, you can use gloves or a condom and remove it before touching your own mucous membranes, or wash your hands.

What are the symptoms of fungus?

If you have a vagina, the main symptoms are:

  • Intense itching and burning in the crotch
  • Discharge which may be whitish gritty
  • Redness and irritation of the labia and of the mucous membrane of the vagina, in some cases cream-like coatings can be seen on the mucous membrane.


If you have a penis, inflammation can occur on the foreskin and glans. This is shown by:

  • Red spotted rash on the foreskin and glans penis

Possible consequences of fungus

There are no consequences – fungus is just a nuisance in itself and can reduce the individual's well-being.

While having fungus, it can cause pain and tenderness in connection with sex.

How is fungus tested and treated?

If the symptoms are clearly visible, the doctor can make the diagnosis by simply looking at the changes. Otherwise, the doctor can often easily see fungus in secretions from the vagina under a microscope.

There are a number of treatment options, either in the form of creams or suppositories, which can be bought over the counter at the pharmacy. If you have a sheath, fungus can typically be treated in a single day or from 3-5 days. On a penis, fungus can be effectively treated with cream from the pharmacy, which is applied twice a day for approx. 2-3 weeks.

In addition, fungus can be treated with tablets on prescription from the doctor. Tablets have the same effect as cream and suppositories and are not a more effective treatment. Pregnant women should preferably only use cream and suppositories or tablets on prescription in single doses

If you have a vagina and have very frequent relapses with fungus, you can try long-term treatment in the form of a suppository every month right after menstruation.