Say Goodbye to Vaginal Yeast Infections Forever: Expert Tips from Stanford

Vaginal Yeast Infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Introduction:

• Up to three out of four women and people with vaginas will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime. Nearly half will experience two or more.
• In this article, we will explain what vaginal yeast infections are, discuss common causes and symptoms, and explain diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What is a Yeast Infection?

• Yeast are fungus that normally exist on skin, mucous membranes, and in the vagina.
• When yeast growth increases in the vagina, it can cause bothersome symptoms of a yeast infection, also known as vulvovaginal candidiasis.

What Causes a Yeast Infection?

• The fungus Candida albicans is responsible for 85 to 90% of vaginal yeast infections. Excessive growth of this fungus occurs most commonly in warm and humid conditions or where skin is damaged.
• Although yeast is normally present in the vagina, when the normal healthy bacteria called Lactobacillus decreases, yeast growth increases and can cause the infection.
• Other factors that increase a person’s risk of yeast infections include:
  • Antibiotic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Weakened immune system
  • Diabetes

Symptoms of a Yeast Infection:

• The most common symptoms are:
  • Increased white vaginal discharge
  • Itching
  • Redness or rash
• Other symptoms may include:
  • Vaginal soreness
  • Vulvar burning and irritation
  • Pain with intercourse
• A small number of people with vaginas will develop recurrent yeast infections with more than four in one year. In these cases, burning is the most prominent symptom of the infection.

Diagnosis:

• To diagnose a yeast infection, your healthcare provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam.
• They may also examine the vaginal discharge under a microscope to see if the yeast are present.

Treatment:

• Vaginal yeast infections can be easily treated with either a cream or a pill.
• Anti-fungal creams are available without a prescription and are placed in the vagina with an inserter. You can also place cream outside the vagina on the vulva to treat itching.
• If you continue to have symptoms after treatment with creams, have a severe infection, have trouble fighting infections, or prefer to take a pill, an anti-fungal pill called Fluconazole can be prescribed by your provider.

Prevention:

• The vagina will normally keep the yeast bacteria and pH of the vagina in balance without you doing anything.
• To prevent a yeast infection, avoid perfumes, soaps, and douching in the vagina as they can interfere with this natural state of balance and increase your chance of getting an infection or irritation.

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider:

• If you have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection like vaginal itching, increased white clumpy or vaginal discharge, or a painful red rash, you can try a vaginal cream available at most pharmacies without a prescription.
• If you have other symptoms like fever or pelvic or abdominal pain, you should contact your healthcare provider.
• If your symptoms do not improve with treatment or your symptoms return, please contact your healthcare provider as you may have a different cause of your symptoms that requires an exam, testing, or a different treatment.
• As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns, please reach out to your healthcare provider.

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