Vaginal candidiasis, also known as a yeast infection, is a fungal infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Yeast infections cause irritation and often extreme itchiness around the vagina and the vulva and often cause a milky white discharge. They are extremely common, affecting 75% of women at least twice in their lifetime.
While yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), having sexual activity regularly for the first time in one’s life and having oral sex are both linked to increased risk for getting a yeast infection.
Recurring infections may require more serious attention.
Common symptoms of yeast infections include:
Yeast infections can typically be treated without a visit to the doctor. However, you should see your primary care physician or OB/GYN if you are experiencing your first yeast infection.
It’s also imperative to seek medical attention for these symptoms if you are pregnant, have recurring infections, are HIV positive, have diabetes that is not well managed, or have symptoms so severe that you have sores.
In most cases, yeast infections are caused by an invasion of the fungus Candida albicans. In rare cases, another type of fungus can cause a yeast infection. The vagina contains a balanced mix of yeast, including candida, and bacteria. If the ecosystem of the vagina is disrupted, an overgrowth of yeast may occur, causing a yeast infection.
Risk factors for yeast infections include antibiotic use, pregnancy, an immune system that is not fully functioning, diabetes that is not well managed, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy.
If your healthcare provider believes you may have a yeast infection, they will ask about your current symptoms and medical history. They’ll also perform a thorough pelvic exam, looking for signs of candida overgrowth. They may take a urine sample or swab your vaginal canal and send the fungus to a lab to be tested.
Complications of vaginal yeast infections include invasive candidiasis, a condition that involves the spread of the fungus to the entire body.
Treatment for yeast infections is usually fairly straightforward, especially if you do not get them often and they go away quickly. Your doctor will likely recommend an antifungal cream sold at most pharmacies or a single-dose medication taken by mouth. They can be taken in combination to address more severe symptoms.
If you have recurring infections or severe symptoms, your provider may choose to treat you with vaginal therapy like antifungal cream over a longer period of time or multi-dose antifungal medication that is taken by mouth.
Some people may be resistant to antifungals typically used to treat yeast infections. In this case, boric acid can be inserted into the vagina to treat the fungus. It should be noted that boric acid is fatal if taken by mouth but perfectly safe for vaginal use for the treatment of Candida albicans fungus.
You can take preventative measures to try and stop yeast infections from occurring. These can include avoiding tight-fitting underwear, avoiding pantyhose, not using scented products in the vaginal area, avoiding hot baths, not douching, not taking antibiotics unless they are prescribed by a doctor, and removing wet or sweaty clothes as soon as possible.