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An overgrowth of yeast in the vagina can cause a vaginal yeast infection. Treatment may depend on the type of infection and whether the infection is recurring.
A vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a common condition. A healthy vagina contains bacteria and some yeast cells. But when the balance of bacteria and yeast changes, the yeast cells can multiply. This causes itching, swelling, and irritation.
Treating a vaginal yeast infection can relieve symptoms within a
Vaginal yeast infections aren’t considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), commonly known as sexually transmitted disease (STD). Sexual contact can spread it, but women who aren’t sexually active can also get them.
Vaginal yeast infections have a common set of symptoms,
- vaginal itching
- swelling around the vagina
- burning during urination or sex
- pain during sex
- soreness
- redness
- rash
Whitish-yellow and clumpy vaginal discharge is another symptom. Some people describe the discharge as looking like cottage cheese. Sometimes the discharge may also be watery.
The yeast Candida is a
But if there’s an imbalance in your system, these bacteria won’t work effectively. This leads to an overgrowth of yeast, which causes the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections.
Several factors can cause a yeast infection,
- antibiotics, which decrease the amount of Lactobacillus (“good bacteria”) in the vagina
- pregnancy
- uncontrolled diabetes
- weak immune system
- hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle
- stress
A specific kind of yeast called Candida albicans causes most yeast infections. These infections are easily treatable.
If you’re having recurring yeast infections or problems getting rid of a yeast infection with conventional treatment, a different version of Candida might be the cause. A lab test can identify what type of Candida you have.
Yeast infections are simple to diagnose. Your doctor will ask about your medical history. This includes whether you’ve had yeast infections before. They may also ask if you’ve ever had an STI.
The next step is a pelvic exam. Your doctor will examine your vaginal walls and cervix. They’ll also
Depending on what your doctor sees, the next step may be to collect cells from your vagina. These cells go to a lab for examination. Lab tests are usually ordered for women who have yeast infections on a regular basis or for infections that won’t go away.
Each yeast infection is different, so your doctor will suggest a treatment that’s best for you. Treatments are generally determined based on the severity of your symptoms.
Simple infections
For simple yeast infections, your doctor will usually prescribe a
Common medications
- butoconazole (Gynazole)
- clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
- miconazole (Monistat)
- terconazole (Terazol)
- fluconazole (Diflucan)
If you have a simple yeast infection, follow up with your doctor to make sure the medicine has worked.
Schedule a follow-up visit if your symptoms return within 2 months.
If you recognize that you have a yeast infection, you can also treat yourself at home with OTC products.
Learn more about yeast infection pills and medications.
Complicated infections
Your doctor will more than likely treat your yeast infection as if it were a severe or complicated case, if you:
- have severe redness, swelling, and itching that leads to sores or tears in your vaginal tissue
- have had more than four yeast infections in a year
- are pregnant
- have uncontrolled diabetes or a weak immune system from medication
- have HIV
Possible treatments for severe or complicated yeast infections
- 14-day cream, ointment, tablet, or suppository vaginal treatment
- two or three doses of fluconazole (Diflucan)
- long-term prescription of fluconazole taken once a week for 6 weeks, or long-term use of a topical antifungal medication
If your infection is recurring, you may want to see if your sexual partner has a yeast infection. Use barrier methods, such as condoms, when having sex if you suspect either of you has a yeast infection. Talk to your doctor about your yeast infection treatment options.
You can try to treat vaginal yeast infections with natural remedies if you’d like to avoid taking prescription medication, but these aren’t as effective or reliable as the indicated medications. Popular natural remedies include:
- coconut oil
- tea tree oil cream
- garlic
- boric acid vaginal suppositories
- plain yogurt taken orally or inserted into the vagina
Make sure your hands are clean before applying creams or oils to your vagina.
You may also want to talk to a doctor before trying natural remedies. This is important because, if your symptoms are due to something other than a simple yeast infection, your doctor can help diagnose your condition.
Talk to your doctor about herbal remedies if you take OTC or prescription drugs. Some herbs can interact with medications you may be taking or can cause other unintended side effects.
While vaginal yeast infections are more common in women, it’s possible for men to get yeast infections, too. When it affects the penis, this is known as a penile yeast infection.
All bodies have Candida — not just the female body. When there’s an overgrowth of this fungus, it can lead to a yeast infection. The groin area is especially prone to Candida overgrowth because of skin folds and moisture.
Still, penile yeast infections are most commonly caused by having unprotected vaginal intercourse with a woman who has the infection, too. You can help prevent a yeast infection by wearing condoms during sex. Regular bathing can also help.
The symptoms of a yeast infection in men may not be as prominent, though you might see redness and white patches along the penis as well as burning and itchy sensations. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis if you think you have a penile yeast infection.
Yeast infections are common in women. It’s estimated that up to
Recurring yeast infections are common, especially if you are pregnant, have diabetes, or have a weakened immune system. Talk to your doctor if you have more than four yeast infections per year.
While yeast infections are commonly associated with vaginal infections, babies can also get them.
The most common yeast infection in a baby is a diaper rash. However, not all diaper rashes are the result yeast overgrowth.
You can tell if the condition is more than just a diaper rash if your baby’s skin is extremely red and has spots in the diaper/groin area, despite using diaper rash cream. Yeast infections may also be presented in other folds of the skin, such as under the armpits.
Your child’s pediatrician will likely prescribe a topical antifungal cream to treat yeast infections of the skin. An oral medication may be needed if your baby has oral thrush (yeast infection of the mouth). While yeast infections in babies are usually harmless, they can lead to more serious infections when left untreated.
Yeast infections aren’t considered STIs. In rare cases, you can pass a yeast infection from one partner to another.
It’s also possible for a baby to get a fungal diaper rash at birth if the mother has a vaginal yeast infection during delivery. You may also pass on a yeast infection to your baby’s mouth during breastfeeding if Candida overgrowth is present in the breast area.
While you can pass a yeast infection to another person, it’s not contagious in the same way as other infections are. You won’t “catch” the infection by air or by using the same shower as someone with the infection, for example. If you’re concerned about transmission, talk to your doctor about situations in which a yeast infection could be contagious.
Yeast infections are common during pregnancy because of hormone fluctuations. See a doctor if you’re pregnant and suspect a yeast infection so you can get the right diagnosis.
A yeast infection during pregnancy isn’t always treated in the same way as nonpregnant women are treated. You won’t be able to take oral antifungal medications due to possible birth defects. Topical antifungals are safe to use during pregnancy, though.
While yeast infections won’t hurt your baby, it’s possible to pass the Candida fungus to them during delivery. This can lead to diaper rash and oral thrush in your baby. It’s important to treat yeast infection early, especially if you’re pregnant, so that you can prevent such complications.
Another common infection in women is a urinary tract infection (UTI). While it’s possible to have one or the other, or even both infections at the same time, UTIs and yeast infections are two different conditions.
The symptoms of a UTI are also different from a yeast infection. There’s no noticeable discharge, but you might see a small amount of blood in your urine. A UTI can also cause frequent urination along with pelvic and abdominal pain.
Without treatment, a UTI can lead to more serious complications of the kidneys. See a doctor to get antibiotics. Ask your doctor for more information regarding the differences between a yeast infection and a UTI.
If this is your first suspected yeast infection, you’ll want to get a proper
Your doctor will first conduct a pelvic exam, noting any visible discharge, redness, and swelling. They will ask you about other symptoms such as burning and painful urination.
If needed, your doctor might order a vaginal fluid test. They will first collect a sample of vaginal discharge with a cotton swab, which will then be sent to a lab for study under a microscope. Once your doctor has determined it’s a fungal infection — or another type of infection — they will then be able to prescribe the correct treatment.
While it’s possible to develop a yeast infection after sex, a yeast infection itself is not an STI. Instead, there are other factors at play that can throw off Candida balance in the vaginal area. Vaginal intercourse, as well as penetration via sex toys and fingers, can introduce bacteria.
Another possibility is having vaginal intercourse with a man who has a penile yeast infection. The opposite can happen too, where a man might develop a penile yeast infection from a woman who has a vaginal yeast infection. Oral sex may also disrupt bacteria in the mouth, vagina, and penile areas.
It’s also possible that the yeast infection is purely coincidental. There are many underlying risk factors of a yeast infection, with sexual intercourse being just one of them.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the
BV has similar symptoms as a yeast infection, including discharge, burning, and itching. This can make distinguishing between the two infections difficult. But while a vaginal yeast infection doesn’t cause long-term complications, untreated BV can.
Among the complications include fertility issues and premature delivery (if you get infected while pregnant), and a higher risk of contracting STIs.
Unlike a yeast infection, you’ll need a prescription antibiotic to clear up BV. Your doctor will help you distinguish between a yeast infection and BV.
Chances are that you know exactly what led to your yeast infection. For example, some women experience these infections every time they take antibiotics. Whether you know the exact cause, here are tips to avoid recurring infections.
Try:
- eating a well-balanced diet
- eating yogurt or taking supplements with lactobacillus
- wearing natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or silk
- washing underwear in hot water
- replacing feminine products frequently
- wearing tight pants, pantyhose, tights, or leggings
- using feminine deodorant or scented tampons or pads
- wearing wet clothing, especially bathing suits
- sitting in hot tubs or taking frequent hot baths
- douching
Essential oils have gained attention in recent years as “natural” remedies to common medical ailments. These plant-based products can be powerful, but so far, no research has shown that essential oils work better for yeast infections than conventional methods.
One issue with essential oils is that some people might be allergic to them. Do a patch test on a small area of skin before applying them to larger areas of the body. This is especially important when considering sensitive areas such as the vagina.
It’s also important to dilute oils properly before use. Confirm with a doctor that your symptoms are indeed caused by a yeast infection before trying essential oils as treatment. You can also ask about safer oils, such as coconut oil, for your yeast infection.
Having both a yeast infection and your period can feel like a double whammy. However, this isn’t uncommon. Yeast infections are most likely to occur in women during the final days leading up to their period.
Fluctuations in hormones are thought to be a cause of yeast infections before your period, causing imbalances in healthy bacteria in the vagina.
If you experience white to yellow discharge in the week before your period, this isn’t automatically a yeast infection unless you have other hallmark symptoms, too, such as redness, burning, and itchiness.
While a nuisance, early treatment can help clear up your yeast infection before your period starts. See your doctor if your yeast infection symptoms don’t improve after your period ends. Also see a doctor if you continue to get yeast infections before your period every month.
Yeast infections are common occurrences, but prompt treatment can help reduce the uncomfortable symptoms within a few days. By recognizing your own risk factors, you can prevent future infections.
Talk to your doctor if you have recurring yeast infections that last longer than 2 months.