What Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

A vaginal yeast infection is an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina that causes symptoms like itchiness, soreness, and discharge. Also known as vaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, or candidal vaginitis, it is the second most common vaginal infection after bacterial vaginal infections. Approximately 1.4 million people seek outpatient treatment for vaginal yeast infections each year.

Symptoms typically resolve several days after starting medication, though treatment for recurring episodes may take longer. About 5-9% of people have four or more infections a year.

While vaginal yeast infections are uncomfortable, they are fairly easy to diagnose and treat. You can also take steps to reduce your risk of infection.

Vaginal Yeast Infection Symptoms

Common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include itching and soreness around your vulva or vagina. Vaginal discharge is common, but not everyone experiences it. You may have white, lumpy discharge sometimes described as looking like cottage cheese, or you may have more watery discharge.

Certain activities may aggravate your symptoms. New vaginal pain or discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse may also be signs that you are developing a vaginal yeast infection.

These symptoms are mild for most people. However, your symptoms may be more severe and include redness and swelling in the affected areas. Cracking in the vaginal skin is a less common symptom.

Vaginal yeast infection symptoms are similar to conditions like bacterial vaginosis, or BV (a vaginal infection caused by bacteria instead of yeast), some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and dermatitis (skin irritation). Reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms, as treatment options will vary depending on the cause.

Causes and Risk Factors

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of fungus that normally lives on your skin and in your body. Many people have small amounts of Candida in their lower intestinal tract, mouth, and vagina without any symptoms. A vaginal yeast infection occurs when the fungus grows out of proportion to the healthy bacteria in your vagina.

Certain factors increase your risk of developing vaginal yeast infections, including:

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes, a condition that affects how your body regulates glucose (sugar) levels
• Medications like antibiotics (drugs that help treat certain bacterial infections), hormonal birth control methods, and certain types of chemotherapy (a treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells)
• Stress
• Poor sleep
• Scented tampons or douches (devices that spray water into the vagina to clean it)
• Contraceptive (birth control) devices like vaginal sponges, diaphragms, or intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• A weakened immune system, which can be caused by things like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chemotherapy, corticosteroids (drugs often used to treat autoimmune disorders, conditions in which the body attacks healthy cells, tissues, or organs), and medications taken after an organ transplant

Diagnosis

To diagnose a vaginal yeast infection, your healthcare provider will begin by asking about your symptoms and examining your vulva and vagina. They will likely take a sample of your vaginal discharge to test for the presence of yeast. If you have recurring infections or severe symptoms, the provider may want to perform additional tests to determine the cause.

Wait for a diagnosis from a healthcare provider before trying any form of treatment. Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections are similar to other conditions. Treating the wrong condition can make your symptoms last longer and may even make your itchiness and irritation worse. It can also be a waste of money.

Vaginal Yeast Infection Treatment

Vaginal yeast infections are treated with an antifungal or antimycotic. These medications kill and stop further growth of the fungus causing the infection. You might receive cream or a suppository (a plastic applicator that holds a capsule of cream) to insert inside your vagina.

Your healthcare provider might recommend an oral antifungal (by mouth, in pill form) like Azocan, Diflucan, or Canesten Thrush Oral Capsules (fluconazole) instead of a cream or suppository—for example, if you are menstruating, have severe symptoms, or have recurring infections.

Treatment usually lasts one, three, or six days. You may be put on a longer course of treatment if you have recurrent vaginal yeast infections. One common treatment is taking fluconazole orally multiple times several days apart and then once a week for six months or longer.

Most people start to feel better within a few days. Reach out to a healthcare provider if your symptoms don't resolve within a few days after ending treatment.

Prevention

People with recurrent vaginal yeast infections or at a higher risk of developing infections may be able to identify the cause. For example, you might notice more infections after beginning a new long-term medication or hormonal birth control. However, you might not know what caused your infection. Whether or not you know the cause, you can take steps to reduce your risk of future yeast infections.

Only take antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider, and let them know if you're prone to vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal yeast infections are common during and after taking broad-spectrum antibiotics, which target many types of bacteria. If you have a history of developing vaginal yeast infections while on antibiotics, your provider may prescribe an anti-fungal to take at the beginning and end of your antibiotic course.

You can also reduce your risk of vaginal yeast infections by:

• Avoiding douching
• Avoiding scented products, including soaps, vaginal hygiene sprays, and tampons
• Not wearing wet swimsuits for long periods of time
  
• Maintaining stable blood sugar levels

Wearing tight or synthetic clothes might also help prevent vaginal yeast infections. However, more research is needed to determine whether or not this is a potential cause.

Related Conditions

Frequent vaginal yeast infections may be a sign of an underlying condition. For example, diabetes and HIV can increase your risk of vaginal yeast infections, including recurrent infections.

Diabetes can increase your risk of yeast infections in several ways. Poorly controlled blood sugar can increase your risk of infection, as can sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors—a class of medications used to treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar.

HIV may increase your risk of vaginal yeast infections because you're immunocompromised, meaning your immune defenses are weak and have a difficult time preventing infections.

You can work with your healthcare provider to manage conditions that might contribute to vaginal yeast infections.

A Quick Review

Vaginal yeast infections are quite common, and you might experience them throughout your life. Though they can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, they are generally easy to treat. Many people recover within a few days. If you do not respond to the initial treatment, additional treatment can likely relieve your symptoms.

Identifying possible triggers, including stress, chronic illness, and antibiotic use, can help you take steps to prevent future infections.