Yeast Infections: What Causes Them, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Staying attentive to your sexual health means you're more likely to catch it when something feels off. Before you get too concerned, know that vaginal infections are quite common and generally straightforward to treat — yeast infections chief among them.

What Exactly Is a Yeast Infection?

A yeast infection develops when candida — a yeast species that normally lives in the vagina, GI tract, and mouth — overgrows and disrupts the natural balance. The clinical term for this is "vulvovaginal candidiasis." Candida overgrowth can also affect the tongue, where it's more commonly referred to as thrush.

Several factors can trigger yeast overgrowth and lead to infection, including:

• Antibiotic use.
• Hormonal shifts (during menstruation, for instance).
• Sexual activity.
• Recurring bacterial infections.
• Blood sugar disorders such as diabetes.
• High intake of dairy or sugar.
• Certain skin conditions.

Planned Parenthood notes that a yeast infection diagnosis can sometimes point to a different underlying cause. Source.

Sexual activity isn't required to develop a yeast infection, though it can be a contributing factor. Having one says nothing about promiscuity, cleanliness, or being "damaged" in any way. These infections are extremely widespread — the CDC reports that up to 75% of women will experience one at some point in their lives. Source.

Recognizing Yeast Infection Symptoms

According to the CDC, common symptoms include itching, a burning sensation, and discharge with a cottage-cheese-like consistency. Men can also develop yeast infections — which is why abstaining from sex during active symptoms or treatment matters — with signs including an itchy rash. Additional symptoms in men may include discharge beneath the foreskin, an unpleasant odor, and difficulty retracting the foreskin, which is one reason circumcision sometimes gets discussed as an option. Pros and cons of circumcision.

Because genital itching and burning overlap with symptoms of many STIs, testing through a sexual health clinic or your regular physician is important. Diagnosis typically involves examining a sample of vaginal secretions under a microscope; excess candida confirms the infection.

An at-home option also exists — Monistat's Vaginal Health Test, sold at pharmacies, checks for abnormal pH, which can point to a bacterial infection or another STI. It's a useful tool for deciding whether at-home treatment is appropriate or a doctor's visit is warranted.

Treatment Approaches for Yeast Infections

Yeast infections are sometimes mistaken for bacterial ones, but since candida is a fungus, treatment differs accordingly. Boric acid suppositories are one option used for both BV and yeast infections — administered as a vaginal rinse or inserted daily in capsule form until symptoms clear. One study found that a 7-to-10-day suppository regimen relieved symptoms in 92% of participants. Source.

Over-the-counter options are also widely available. For those already familiar with the condition, or unable to see a doctor, a drugstore cream or suppository from the "azole" family is a common first step — miconazole is the active ingredient in Monistat and most store-brand treatments. If those aren't effective, products containing clotrimazole or tioconazole are worth trying instead.

Regardless of active ingredient, most treatments take up to a week to fully resolve symptoms. During that window, transmission to a partner is possible, so abstaining from sex is advisable. If abstaining isn't feasible, using condoms is strongly recommended, though it may not fully prevent transmission.

When OTC treatments don't resolve the infection, a prescription may be necessary. Diflucan and Nizoral are both oral medications, while Nystatin is a topical option that also requires a prescription.

Pharmacies and health stores sometimes carry homeopathic remedies as an alternative to prescription or OTC options, often formulated with beneficial candida strains and other supportive ingredients — these typically come with fewer side effects.

If you're being treated, your partner(s) may also carry the infection and can use the same OTC products for treatment. Left untreated on either side, the infection can pass back and forth repeatedly, prolonging discomfort unnecessarily — which is why prompt treatment at the first sign of symptoms matters.

Home Remedies Worth Knowing About

You may have heard of a "foolproof" home remedy for yeast infections from someone in your life. Results vary — some approaches help, some do nothing, and others may further irritate the vagina and vulva. Proceed carefully before trying any of them.

Yogurt, particularly varieties with active probiotics, is often mentioned as a potential aid, though research on using it as a standalone treatment is described as "inconsistent." Source. Some people report success inserting plain yogurt vaginally as a home treatment.

Garlic is another option sometimes cited, given its natural antifungal and antiseptic properties. Eating it doesn't appear to help treat an active infection, but wrapping a garlic clove in gauze and inserting it overnight is sometimes suggested — though supporting research on this method remains limited. Source.

Steps to Help Prevent Yeast Infections

General health maintenance goes a long way toward prevention — a balanced diet and adequate sleep both matter. Yogurt containing beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus may also support overall vaginal health.

While prescribed antibiotics should always be taken as directed, including completing the full course, it's worth noting that antibiotics can also eliminate the beneficial bacteria that normally help keep yeast in check. Discussing alternatives with your doctor is a reasonable option if recurrent infections are a concern.

Douching should also be avoided — it's broadly harmful and can contribute to both bacterial and yeast infections. Source. Scented soaps and bath products are worth skipping too, since they can irritate the vagina and vulva and potentially encourage candida overgrowth.

Hormonal fluctuations can't be avoided entirely, but for those prone to recurrent infections, a progestin-only birth control pill may be worth discussing with a doctor, since combination pills containing estrogen have been linked to increased yeast infection risk. Switching birth control methods is another avenue worth exploring if infections keep recurring.

Finally, give the vaginal area regular exposure to fresh air. Yeast thrives in damp environments, so showering after exercise to remove sweat, changing out of damp clothing promptly, and maintaining general hygiene all help with prevention. Cotton underwear, which allows better airflow, is also a helpful choice.

January 12, 2021