Yeast Infections

Yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. They are a common occurrence in women, with an estimated 75 percent of all women having at least one infection in their lifetime. Symptoms of an infection include a cottage cheese-like discharge and itching and irritation of the vagina and vulva. Antifungal drugs are usually used to treat yeast infections.

 

Yeast Infections: An Introduction

Yeast infections are a common cause of irritation of the vagina and vulva (the area around the opening to the vagina). About 75 percent of women will have a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lives.
 
A kind of fungus called Candida causes vaginal yeast infections. It is normal to have some yeast in your vagina. Usually, this yeast is in balance with other organisms. But sometimes the balance is lost, and yeast overgrowth occurs. Hormonal changes can affect the acidity of the vagina and lead to yeast overgrowth. Another common cause of yeast infections is taking antibiotics.
 

Symptoms of Yeast Infections

The symptoms of vaginal yeast infections in women can range from mild to very uncomfortable. Symptoms may include:
 
  • Itching, burning, and irritation of the vagina
  • Itching, redness, and irritation of the vulva
  • Painful urination and/or intercourse
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge.
     
The vaginal discharge is usually described as looking like cottage cheese. However, it may vary in amount and appearance. The discharge does not have a bad odor.
 
Symptoms of yeast infections can be similar to symptoms of other kinds of vaginal infections.
 

Causes of Yeast Infections

Conditions that may make yeast infections more likely include:
 
  • Pregnancy and other causes of hormonal changes
  • Use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
  • Diabetes that isn't well controlled (high blood sugar can help yeast to multiply)
  • A weakened immune system
  • Use of steroid drugs
  • Use of antibiotics (antibiotic drugs kill bacteria in the body, including within the vagina, allowing yeast to multiply and cause an infection).
     
Yeast infections seem to be only rarely passed from one person to another through sexual contact. A male partner of a woman with a yeast infection usually will have no symptoms, but some men may get an itchy rash on the penis.
 
(Yeast Infections Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD