Vaginal Yeast Infections

Overview

What Are Vaginal Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections (also known as candidiasis) are common infections caused by Candida albicans yeast, which is a type of fungus. Yeast infections usually happen in warm, moist parts of the body —like the mouth — and moist areas of skin.

A yeast infection in the vagina is known as vulvovaginal candidiasis (pronounced: can-dih-DYE-uh-sis). Vaginal yeast infections are common in young women, and many will have one at some point. They're not an STD (sexually transmitted disease).

Top Things to Know

A vaginal yeast infection happens when too much of a certain fungus grows in the vagina.
Symptoms can include itching in the vagina, redness around it, and thick white discharge.
Medicine can help ease symptoms and cure the infection in less than a week.
Wearing cotton underwear and avoiding vaginal sprays may help prevent it.

Signs & Symptoms

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Vaginal Yeast Infections?

Vaginal yeast infections can cause:

itching and irritation in the vagina
redness, swelling, or itching of the vulva (the folds of skin outside the vagina)
a thick, white discharge that can look like cottage cheese and is usually odorless, although it might smell like bread or yeast
pain or burning when urinating (peeing) or during sex

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor or gynecologist. It's easy to confuse the symptoms of a yeast infection with those of some STDs and other vaginal infections. Your doctor can make sure you are treated for the right type of infection.

If you have a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor can recommend treatment to clear up the symptoms and cure the infection quickly.

Causes & Prevention

What Causes Vaginal Yeast Infections?

Too Much Yeast

Yeast infections can happen to any girl. Having small amounts of Candida on the skin and inside the mouth, digestive tract, and vagina is normal. A healthy immune system and some "good" bacteria keep the amount in a person's body under control.

But yeast in the vagina can sometimes "overgrow" and lead to symptoms of a yeast infection.

Things That Can Cause Yeast to Overgrow

Things that may let yeast multiply include:

stress
pregnancy
illnesses that affect the immune system
some medicines, including:
- some birth control pills, steroids, and chemotherapy
- antibiotics (such as for strep throat), which can kill the "good" bacteria that normally keep the yeast in check
high blood sugar. Girls who have diabetes that isn't controlled are more likely to get yeast infections.
hormonal changes that come with the menstrual cycle. Many girls find that they tend to show up right before they get their periods.
clothing (especially underwear) that's tight or made of materials like nylon that trap heat and moisture
scented sanitary products and douches can upset the healthy balance of bacteria in the vagina and make yeast infections more likely

Can Vaginal Yeast Infections Be Prevented?

Often, there's no way to prevent yeast infections. But there are a few things you can try that may also help you feel more comfortable and have less irritation. Wear breathable cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes and avoid vaginal sprays and douches. Follow your doctor’s advice as well.

If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar levels stable also can help you avoid yeast infections.

Diagnosis

How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Diagnosed?

Treating a yeast infection is simple, but it's important to visit your doctor for the right diagnosis. Other infections can cause similar symptoms but need different treatments.

At the visit, your doctor might take a urine sample (to rule out a urinary tract infection) and swab some discharge from your vagina to check under a microscope.

Treatment & Care

How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Treated?

If you do have a yeast infection, your healthcare provider probably will prescribe a pill to swallow or a cream, tablet, or suppository to put in the vagina. When you get home, follow all the directions on the package carefully. Creams, tablets, and suppositories often come with an applicator to help you place the medicine inside your vagina, where it can begin to work.

If you're using a vaginal treatment and are sexually active, you should not have sex until the infection has been completely treated because these medicines can weaken condoms and diaphragms.

All these types of medicine can clear up your symptoms in a couple of days and cure the infection within a week. It's important to take the medicine for the whole time it’s prescribed. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection could come back. If you're not feeling better within a few days of finishing treatment, call your doctor.

Be Careful With Over-the-Counter Medicine

Some medicines used to treat yeast infections are available without a prescription, but you should see a doctor for your diagnosis before buying one. You could have another type of infection that might get worse if not properly treated. Also, over-the-counter medicine should not be used by anyone younger than 12 or girls who might be pregnant without talking to a doctor first.

Antibiotic Safety

Don't take leftover antibiotics or someone else's antibiotics or medicine. They might be the wrong choice for your condition, and taking antibiotics when they're not needed can make yeast infections more likely.