Most women have a vaginal yeast infection at some time. Candida albicans is a common type of fungus. It is often found in small amounts in the vagina, mouth, digestive tract, and on the skin. Usually it does not cause disease or symptoms.
Candida and the many other germs that normally live in the vagina keep each other in balance. However, sometimes the number of Candida albicans increases, leading to a yeast infection.
This can happen if you are:
Taking antibiotics used to treat other types of infections. Antibiotics change the normal balance between germs in the vagina by decreasing the number of protective bacteria.
A pelvic examination will be done. It may show swelling and redness of the skin of the vulva, in the vagina, and on the cervix. The health care provider may find dry, white spots on the vaginal wall. There may be cracks in the skin of the vulva.
Sometimes, a culture is taken when the infection does not improve with treatment or comes back many times.
Your health care provider may order other tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
Medications to treat vaginal yeast infections are available in either creams or suppositories. Most can be bought without a prescription.
Treating yourself at home is probably okay if:
Your symptoms are mild and you do not have pelvic pain or a fever
This is not your first yeast infection and you have not had many yeast infections in the past
You are not pregnant
You are not worried about other sexually transmitted diseases from recent sexual contact
Medications you can buy yourself to treat a vaginal yeast infection are:
Read the packages carefully and use them as directed. Do not stop using these medications early because your symptoms are better. You will need to take the medicine for 3 - 7-days, depending on which medicine you buy. If you do not get get repeated infections, a 1-day medicine might work for you.
You doctor can also prescribe a medicine called fluconazole. This medicine is a pill that you only take once.
If your symptoms are more severe or you have repeat vaginal yeast infections, you may need:
Medicine for up to 14 days
Clotrimazole vaginal suppository or fluconazole pill every week to prevent new infections
To help prevent and treat vaginal discharge:
Keep your genital area clean and dry. Avoid soap and rinse with water only. Sitting in a warm, but not hot, bath may help your symptoms.
Avoid douching. Although many women feel cleaner if they douche after menstruation or intercourse, it may actually worsen vaginal discharge because it removes healthy bacteria lining the vagina that protect against infection.
Eat yogurt with live cultures or take Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets when you are on antibiotics to prevent a yeast infection.
Use condoms to avoid catching or spreading sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays, fragrances, or powders in the genital area.
Avoid wearing extremely tight-fitting pants or shorts, which may cause irritation.
Wear cotton underwear or cotton-crotch pantyhose. Avoid underwear made of silk or nylon, because these materials are not very absorbant and restrict air flow. This can increase sweating in the genital area, which can cause irritation.
Use pads and not tampons.
Keep your blood sugar levels under good control if you have diabetes.
The symptoms usually disappear completely with adequate treatment.
Chronic or recurrent infections may occur if you do not get the proper treatment or have an underlying medical condition. It is important for your doctor to check you for diseases that can lead to yeast infections, such as diabetes.
Secondary infection may occur. A lot of scratching may cause the area to crack, making you more likely to get an infection.
Repeat infections that occur immediately after treatment, or a yeast infection that does not respond to any treatment, may be an early sign of HIV.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if:
This is the first time that you have had symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection
You are not sure if you have a yeast infection
Your symptoms don't go away after using over-the-counter medicines
Your symptoms get worse
You develop other symptoms
Avoid persistent and excessive moisture in the genital area by wearing underwear or pantyhose with cotton crotches, and loose-fitting slacks. Avoid wearing wet bathing suits or exercise clothing for long periods of time, and wash them after each use.
Biggs WS, Williams RM. Common gynecologic infections. Prim Care. 2009 Mar;36(1):33-51,
Merritt DF. Vulvovaginitis. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 543.
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.