Vaginal Yeast Infection

A vaginal yeast infection is an infection caused by yeast (a type of fungus). Vaginal yeast infection is sometimes referred to as yeast vaginitis, Candidal vaginitis, or Candidal vulvovaginitis. The scientific name for the yeast that causes vaginitis is Candida. Over 90% of vaginal yeast infections are caused by the species known as Candida albicans. Other Candida species make up the remainder of yeast infections.

Candida species can be present in healthy people in the vagina without causing any symptoms. It is estimated that Candida is already present in the vagina in 20% to 50% of people. For an infection to occur, the normal balance of yeast and bacteria is disturbed, allowing overgrowth of the yeast. While yeast can be spread by sexual contact, vaginal yeast infection is not considered to be a sexually-transmitted disease because it can also occur in those who are not sexually active, due to the fact that yeast can be present in the vagina of healthy women.

Vaginal yeast infections are very common, affecting up to 75% of women at some point in life.

Symptoms can include:

• a vaginal discharge that is typically thick,
• odorless, and
• whitish-gray in color.

The discharge has been described as having a cottage-cheese-like consistency.

Other symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include:

• Intense itching of the vaginal or genital area
• Irritation and burning
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain or burning during urination
• Redness, irritation, or soreness of the vagina or vulva; swelling of the vagina

The symptoms of a yeast infection are non-specific. This means that while a yeast infection could be the cause of your symptoms, it is wise to go to a doctor for a test if you’ve never had this type of issue before. Learn more about the most common medical conditions that can be easily mistaken for yeast infections.

Sexually transmitted infections

If you’ve recently engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse, any strange symptoms following your encounter warrant a trip to the doctor. A lot of STIs have similar symptoms: For example, trichomoniasis, or “trich,” can cause itching, irritated skin, painful sex, and a burning sensation when you urinate. Herpes can cause sores, blisters, and itchy red spots around the vulva and vaginal opening.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

This bacterial infection of the vagina is similar to a yeast infection, but the culprit here is bacteria that already live in the vagina. You might experience odd-looking discharge that can be green, white, or clear, and you'll probably experience itching and burning as well. 

You might notice a distinct smell if you have a bacterial infection — many people think a vagina suffering from bacterial vaginosis smells like fish — and this usually distinguishes this condition from yeast. Sometimes, though, this symptom isn’t present and it can be almost impossible to tell the difference between BV and a yeast infection.

Skin allergies

If you’re dealing with redness, rashes, sores, and itching, you may be having an allergic reaction, or what’s called contact dermatitis, to a soap, detergent, or fragrance you’re using in that area. First, never wash your vagina with soap: It’s perfectly capable of cleaning itself. Second, take a break from any products you use on a regular basis and see if your problem clears up. 

If avoiding harsh detergents, chemicals, and fragrances helps, you’ll want to switch to hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products that don’t irritate this sensitive area. 

If you’re still having symptoms later, visit your doctor and discuss your next steps.

Skin conditions 

Eczema and psoriasis are two examples of skin conditions that can cause uncomfortable vulvar and vaginal symptoms. Eczema may itch and cause thick skin on the vulva, while psoriasis may look like pink or red patches of skin without the scales that usually define this condition. These conditions often look different on the vulva because the skin in these areas is more moist, sensitive, and delicate than the skin on other parts of your body.

Urinary tract infections

Burning during urination is the classic symptom of UTI, but it can happen during a yeast infection, too: Sometimes, the tissues around the vagina are so inflamed that urine stings or burns.

UTIs typically have more severe symptoms that you can’t mistake for something else, such as bladder pain, fever, and chills, but they also often have minor symptoms or none at all. Don’t delay in getting tested for a UTI if you think this may be the cause. An untreated UTI can lead to serious bladder and kidney issues.

Discharge, itching, and burning can accompany several conditions, and you may need to go to your doctor for testing to determine the exact cause of your troubles. It’s important to test for pH to determine whether there’s even an infection in the first place — or if your issue could be an allergy, autoimmune condition, or something else. Most healthy vaginas have a slightly acidic pH of around 3.5 to 4.5.

If you’ve had a yeast infection before, you may think you know yeast infection symptoms when they occur again — but if your usual over-the-counter treatment isn’t working, it’s time to consider another cause. Get in touch with your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition and be sure to schedule a thorough evaluation if you have more serious symptoms. 

Untreated skin yeast infections may:

• Spread the infection to other body organs
• Cause discomfort

Untreated vaginal yeast infections may:

• Cause itching and inflammation of the private parts
• Cause bacterial infections from scratching
• Spread the infection toward the urethra (opening for urine)
• Increase the risk of premature delivery, miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
• Pass to babies during childbirth
• Pass to the sexual partner if the partner is not told about the yeast infection

Untreated oral thrush may spread the infection to other organs in cases of patients with weak immunity. This population includes people with diabetes, cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The yeast may spread throughout the blood to other organs causing complications.

• Esophageal candidiasis may cause difficulty in eating and swallowing and cause malnutrition.
• Candida sepsis: This is a condition wherein the candida may infect other organs via the blood.
• Yeast may cause infections of organs such as the heart and lungs.

Vaginal yeast infections occur when new yeast is introduced into the vaginal area, or when there is an increase in the quantity of yeast already present in the vagina relative to the number of normal bacteria. For example, when the normal, protective bacteria are eradicated by antibiotics (taken to treat a urinary tract, respiratory, or other types of infection) or by immunosuppressive drugs, the yeast can multiply, invade tissues, and cause irritation to the lining of the vagina (vaginitis).

Vaginal yeast infections can also occur as a result of injury to the inner vagina, such as after chemotherapy. Also, people with suppressed immune systems (for example, those taking cortisone-related medications such as prednisone) develop vaginal yeast infections more frequently than those with normal immunity.

Other conditions that may predispose people to develop vaginal yeast infections include:

• diabetes, especially if your blood glucose is very high or poorly controlled
• pregnancy, and
• taking oral contraceptives.

The use of douches or perfumed vaginal hygiene sprays may also increase the risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection.

A vaginal yeast infection is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease (STD), since Candida may be present in the normal vagina, and the condition does occur in those who are celibate.

However, it is possible for men to develop symptoms of skin irritation of the penis from a yeast infection after sexual intercourse with an infected partner, although this is not always the case.

What may increase my risk of a vaginal yeast infection?

Conditions that result in decreased immune function are make someone more likely than others to develop yeast infections. These include people with cancer or receiving cancer chemotherapy, those with diabetes, and those taking steroid medications.

Pregnant women and women taking oral contraceptives are also at increased risk.

Taking antibiotics for any reason can alter the normal bacterial populations in the vagina and predispose to the overgrowth of yeast.

Taking steps to reduce moisture in the genital area can reduce the chances of developing a yeast infection. Wearing cotton underwear or underwear with a cotton crotch, wearing loose-fitting pants, and avoiding prolonged wearing of wet workout gear or bathing suits are all measures that can help control moisture, and may help reduce the chance of getting a yeast infection.

Even though the signs and symptoms of yeast infection may point to the cause, vaginal itching and discharge can be caused by other conditions including bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas infections. To most accurately make the diagnosis, a sample of the discharge is tested in the laboratory, either by culture or by direct examination under a microscope, to identify the yeast organisms and to help rule out other causes such as bacterial vaginosis or sexually-transmitted diseases.

Yeast infection is treated using antifungal drugs. Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies are available that are effective in treating vaginal yeast infections. Nonprescription drugs are the best home remedy for yeast infections, and they can cure most yeast infections. Homeopathic methods have not been adequately studied for doctors and other health care professionals to recommend them, and anti-itch medications treat only the itching symptoms but do not treat the underlying cause (yeast infection).

Other possible natural home remedies that can help treat yeast infection symptoms include:

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C boosts the immune system.
• Probiotic suppositories and supplements: Probiotics can help restore the normal bacteria–yeast balance throughout the body.
• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is an essential oil that helps kill fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
• Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has many medicinal uses.
• Oregano oil: Oregano oil made from wild oregano, or Origanum vulgare, contains thymol and carvacrol, which are powerful antifungals.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil has several health benefits, including antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• Garlic: Garlic is effective against fungus and is an effective Candida killer.
• Hydrogen peroxide or Boric acid: Antiseptic that can help treat infections.
• Talk to your doctor before using any home remedies. 

Topical antibiotic (antifungal) treatments (applied directly to the affected area) are available without a prescription. These include vaginal creams, tablets, or suppositories. Regimens vary according to the length of treatment and are typically 1- or 3-day regimens. Recurrent infections may require even longer courses of topical treatment. These topical treatments relieve symptoms and eradicate evidence of the infection in up to 90% of those who complete treatment.

Examples of over-the-counter drugs for yeast infections include:

• Clotrimazole 
• Miconazole 
• Terconazole 

Oral prescription medications, taken in pill or tablet form, can be used to treat recurrent yeast infections or infections that do not respond to topical treatment. Fluconazole is typically used as the first-choice oral antifungal medicine.

Fluconazole also may be taken as weekly or monthly maintenance for recurrent yeast infections, but it is first necessary to prove by a culture that recurrent infections are occurring.

Oral antifungal medications should not be used during pregnancy.

Oral medications also have more side effects than topical medicines, such as:

• nausea,
• headache, and
• abdominal pain.

Outside of pregnancy, you'd usually be prescribed a single-dose oral medication called fluconazole. It clears up the infection within a few days. However, this type of medication has not been proven safe to take during pregnancy and lactation because it may affect your baby.

As a result, your doctor will recommend vaginal creams and suppositories. These antifungal medications will fight off the overgrown yeast and restore your vaginal balance without causing any harm to your baby. Nevertheless, not all antifungal vaginal creams are safe to use during pregnancy. Ask your doctor for guidance on which one works best for you.

Getting rid of a yeast infection during pregnancy may take 10–14 days. The severe symptoms might become less intense within the first few days of treatment. After complete recovery from the infection, you can use starch-free drying powder or nystatin powder to avoid getting infected again.

Most experts do not consider yeast infection to be a sexually-transmitted disease, but cases of irritation and itching of the penis in men have been reported after sexual contact with a partner with a yeast infection, so it is possible for an infected person to spread the infection to a male sex partner. Treatment of male sexual partners is not considered necessary unless the man develops symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a yeast infection in men?

Symptoms in men may include itching, burning, and pain at the tip of the penis. Discomfort during urination can also occur. The area may appear reddened or irritated.

Symptoms may resemble those of other diseases, including some sexually-transmitted infections (STDs), so testing should always be carried out to determine the cause of symptoms in men.

What is the treatment for yeast infection in men?

Treatment for men, like for women, is based upon antifungal medications. These may be applied as topical creams or taken by mouth in pill or tablet form.

Treatment for men, like for women, is based upon antifungal medications. These may be applied as topical creams or taken by mouth in pill or tablet form.

Because yeast can be present normally in the vagina of healthy women, not all yeast infections can be prevented. However, it is possible to take preventive measures that may reduce your risk of getting a yeast infection.

• These include always cleaning the genital area from front to back and changing out of wet bathing suits or damp clothes as soon as possible.
• Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear can help reduce moisture and prevent yeast infections.
• Since chemical irritants can influence the balance of bacteria in the vagina, avoiding products with potential irritants like douches or scented tampons can also help.
• Regular baths or showers are an adequate way to cleanse the vagina, and douching is not recommended and may actually increase your risk of yeast infection.
• Some evidence shows that the consumption of foods with probiotics (healthy bacteria that are normally found in the body) like probiotic-containing yogurt may help prevent yeast infections.
• Reducing the consumption of sugar and processed foods
• Avoiding antibiotics unnecessarily without a prescription

How can you protect yourself from contracting a yeast infection from your sexual partner?

Condoms may help prevent the transmission of a yeast infection from women to men, but they are not completely effective since there may be contact with areas of the body not covered by the condom.

Avoiding intercourse when symptoms of a yeast infection are present is the best way to prevent the spreading of the infection.

A recurrent yeast infection occurs when four or more infections occur in one year that are not related to antibiotic use. Recurrent yeast infections may be related to an underlying medical condition such as impaired immunity and may require more aggressive treatment. This can include longer courses of topical treatments, oral medications, or a combination of the two.