A vaginal yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida. It causes itching and burning on the skin around your vulva and can change the consistency of your vaginal discharge. Yeast infections are common and typically not serious. They are treated with antibiotic medications and usually resolve within a few days to two weeks.
Lifestyle Changes Lifestyle Changes and Prevention of Yeast Infections You can help prevent yeast infections and ease symptoms with the following lifestyle changes:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c6d9589b-2f15-41a2-a84c-cbcb1b7ae5fb Wear cotton underwear. Keep the area around your genitals clean and dry. Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, fragrances, and other products around your genitals. Avoid douching , which can remove healthy bacteria. Manage your blood sugar, if you have diabetes. Avoid wearing a wet swimsuit or sweaty clothing for long periods. Don’t take antibiotics you don’t need or for longer than prescribed.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629549f9db2-e81d-491f-8e6a-1df675d15dff
Diagnosis How Is a Yeast Infection Diagnosed? Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to yeast infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (a vaginal infection caused by bacteria) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection). Because of this, it’s important to see a doctor for a diagnosis if you have symptoms of a yeast infection.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c56c52fd-b616-4e4f-b9f3-349a156083da To diagnose a yeast infection, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to check for these signs:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762979ed4a72-a3d5-427f-b731-2fa39d72e6f0 Swelling and redness on your vulva, on your cervix, and in your vagina Cracks in the skin of your vulva Dry, white spots on your vaginal wall Your doctor may also take a sample of vaginal discharge to test for these situations:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b7074f9f-858f-4e95-9fb0-305a9e910ad5 The presence of Candida under a microscope The pH (acidity level) Fungal culture, for recurring infections or if treatments aren’t effective
Duration How Long Does a Yeast Infection Last? For mild yeast infections, you may need to take medication for one to seven days. If your symptoms are more severe or you have recurring yeast infections, you may need treatment for one to two weeks or longer.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294a4b6577-d635-426b-98fe-96dcaeeab481
Treatment Treatment and Medication Options for a Yeast Infection Vaginal yeast infections are treated with over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medications. These are either applied inside the vagina or taken by mouth. The type of medication your doctor recommends will depend on the severity of the infection.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b27611dc-468e-4c66-846e-ad16f05e2293 Male sex partners can also get yeast infections on the head of the penis, known as balanitis. While evidence suggests that yeast infections aren’t transmitted through sexual intercourse, balanitis can be treated with topical antifungal medications.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294147fdb3-adfc-4f59-b2a2-af49d5d74bab Mild to Moderate Yeast Infections Medications for mild or moderate yeast infections are available as creams and ointments, or as suppositories you insert into your vagina. You typically take them for three to seven days. They include these options:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295238e3a1-3dc6-49db-bec4-55bfdf97d492 miconazole (Monistat) terconazole (Terazol) clotrimazole (Lotrimin) tioconazole (Gynecare) butoconazole (Femstat) nystatin (Mycostatin) Severe or Recurring Yeast Infections If your symptoms are severe or a yeast infection doesn’t go away with other treatments, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629569935ae-f3d4-4311-80ad-564ffa14d3d5 fluconazole (Diflucan) oteseconazole (Vivjoa), for people who aren’t pregnant and have recurring infections ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme) flucytosine (Ancobon) You may take multiple doses of an oral antifungal medication for up to two weeks, then once a week for six months. Boric acid therapy also treats yeast infections that don’t respond to other treatments. It is a capsule containing boric acid that you insert into your vagina. It can be fatal if taken by mouth and is not safe for people who are pregnant.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762950324927-bde3-470b-9275-6600baec9a15
Causes Causes and Risk Factors of Yeast Infections Candida occurs naturally in the vagina and is also found in the mouth, in the digestive tract, and on the skin. Most of the time, it doesn’t cause any symptoms. But if the microorganisms in your vagina become out of balance, too much yeast can grow, leading to a yeast infection.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ea0b4400-9e5e-4e89-9475-6b6831b8cee4 The following factors increase your risk of a yeast infection:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f7fe82ec-1417-49cd-b9c9-183aab154fed Pregnancy and Hormones Changes in your hormones can disrupt the balance of Candida in your vagina. This includes being pregnant, taking hormonal birth control, and your menstrual period. Antibiotics Antibiotics that treat infections kill beneficial bacteria, which can lead to an overgrowth of Candida . Weakened Immune System Conditions or treatments that suppress your immune system can make you more susceptible to a yeast infection. Diabetes If your blood sugar is high , you may release excess sugar in your urine. This can encourage yeast and other bacteria to grow.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e50254b3-2e0e-459c-b643-1d9d617199fc Although vaginal yeast infections are more common in women who are sexually active, they do not spread through sexual contact.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629140b3b3d-7fb1-4586-a0b8-192b285888f6
Resources We Trust Cleveland Clinic: Can I Have Sex When I Have a Yeast Infection?Mayo Clinic: VaginitisCenters for Disease Control and Prevention: Diabetes and WomenAmerican Pregnancy Association: Yeast Infection During PregnancyOffice on Women’s Health: Vaginal Yeast Infections
The Takeaway A vaginal yeast infection is inflammation of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida . It causes itching, burning, and changes in your vaginal discharge. Candida is found naturally in your vagina and other areas of your body, but it can cause a yeast infection if it becomes out of balance. This can happen due to antibiotics, a suppressed immune system, diabetes, and hormone changes from pregnancy or birth control. Oral and topical antifungal medications treat yeast infections. With treatment, a yeast infection can last from a few days to two or more weeks, depending on the severity. Lifestyle changes like maintaining proper hygiene, wearing loose and dry clothing, and managing blood sugar can help prevent yeast infections. Oral antifungal medications may not be safe if you are pregnant. Contact your doctor if you experience symptoms of a yeast infection or are concerned about side effects of antifungal medications.
Symptoms Signs and Symptoms of Yeast Infections The most common symptoms of a mild vaginal yeast infection include the following:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762913e5d186-1c9f-4079-a55b-0120eae8d69de60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291b4e1e11-16db-426b-abae-d1dc6b574fcf Vaginal itching or soreness Burning Pain during sex Pain when urinating Thick white discharge Severe infections can cause a rash, swelling, and cracks in the wall of the vagina.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291011fd87-f161-4068-8fea-bdd25e752cdd
Complications Complications of Yeast Infections Complications aren’t common with yeast infections, but severe cases may cause intense burning and itching, which can lead to raw, cracked, or bleeding skin.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629640bf3b8-31d5-4852-9aae-ac27b19333e4 You may also experience some side effects with antifungal treatments:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295cd91280-0cf3-457e-ae7b-075c43c6161f Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting Headaches Abdominal pain Skin rashes While rare, long-term use of certain antifungals may cause liver or kidney damage.