What Are Yeast Infections?
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.
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.
Your healthcare provider will examine you and use a swab to take a sample from the affected area. A lab test of the sample will show if yeast is the cause of your symptoms.
Yeast infections are treated with antifungal drugs, such as clotrimazole or miconazole. There are different forms of these medications, including pills, skin ointments, and creams and tablets used in the vagina.
Antifungal drugs usually work well to treat a vaginal yeast infection. But infections that do not respond to treatment are becoming more common. Taking antifungal drugs when they are not needed can help make yeast resistant to the drugs. For this reason, you should not use antifungal drugs unless you are absolutely sure that you have a yeast infection.
If you are sure that you have a yeast infection, you can buy over-the-counter products to treat it. Be sure to follow the directions for using the product. If you are not sure whether you have a yeast infection or another type of infection or problem, you should see your healthcare provider. You should also see your healthcare provider if you have recurring yeast infections.
Preventing Yeast Infections
There are a few things you can do to help prevent yeast infections. Don't use
douches, perfumed vaginal sprays, or other scented products that irritate the vagina. Wear cotton underpants and pantyhose with a cotton crotch to help keep the genital area ventilated. If you have a problem with recurring yeast infections, ask your healthcare provider about additional ways to prevent them.
