• Yeast vaginitis is the second most common vaginal infection after bacterial vaginosis
• 75% of women experience an episode of vaginal yeast infection at some time in their life
• Yeast infections are caused by fungal organisms.
• The majority of vaginal yeast infections are caused by Candida Albicans
• There are some less common yeast organisms such as Torulopsis Glabrata that may cause infections that do not clear up with the usual therapies
• Yeast infections may be more common in women who have taken antibiotics, are on hormonal contraception, have diabetes and or are pregnant.
• Women who have medical conditions or take medicines which weaken the immune system are at greater risk for yeast

Signs and Symptoms of Yeast Vaginitis

• Yeast infections may cause no symptoms
• Sometimes yeast is noted on a Pap test and does not require treatment, unless there are symptoms
• There may be increased vaginal discharge with yeast infection
• This is typically described as thick or curdy
• There may be mild to moderate itching and irritation
• If the genital skin becomes very irritated, it may become red, swollen and may develop splits.

How is yeast diagnosed?

• The symptoms of thick curdy discharge, itch and irritation are classic for yeast
• Recent antibiotic use or steroids may suggest the possibility of yeast
• The health care provider will perform a vaginal exam and observe the genital skin
• The acid base level of the vagina is generally normal
• Samples of vaginal discharge may be taken with a swab
• The sample will be evaluated under the microscope for the presence of yeast
• Even when yeast is present, it is only seen under the microscope half the time
• Seeing yeast under the microscope confirms the diagnosis, but if yeast is not seen, the infection may be treated based on the symptoms. In some cases, a culture may be sent to the laboratory by swabbing the vagina and placing it in a culture tube.
• The culture is more accurate than the information that is obtained under the microscope and takes a few days to get the results
• A culture is used when a woman has a complicated problem such as failure to clear her infection or repeated infections.

Treatment of Yeast Vaginitis

• Over the counter medications can be obtained without a prescription
• These include creams for the external genital skin, suppositories and creams for the vagina that are inserted with an applicator
• Caution should be used when self-treating for yeast. Women who have been previously diagnosed for yeast and develop similar signs and symptoms may consider choosing to obtain over the counter treatments
• If a woman does not improve, she should seek the advice of a health care provider.
• Women who have frequent yeast infections may need to be treated for longer than the usual length of time
• If you have frequent yeast infections you may want to discuss longer treatment with your practitioner
• If you are pregnant, you should be sure to consult with a health care practitioner

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

• Yeast is generally not sexually transmitted. It is not necessary to treat a male partner in most cases
• Yeast infections are common in pregnancy and may be treated with the advice of the health care practitioner
• Yeast infections are common in healthy women. If there is no other reason for concern, it is unlikely that HIV or Diabetes testing is indicated.

Copyright © 2003, 2008 ASCCP. All Rights Reserved.
These materials were developed by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) Patient Education Committees and approved by the Board of Directors for use by patients.

While you may download, print and distribute these materials freely, they are copyrighted materials and all rights are owned by ASCCP. Therefore, they may not be changed, edited or altered in any way.

©2012 An Inconvenient Woman. All Rights Reserved.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?A vaginal yeast infection is irritation of the vagina and the area around the vagina, called the vulva. It is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus or yeast Candida. Yeast normally live in the vagina in small numbers, but when the bacteria in the vagina become out of balance, too many yeast grow and cause an infection.

Vaginal yeast infections are very common. About 75 percent of women have a yeast infection during their lives. And almost half of women have two or more yeast infections.

What are the signs of a vaginal yeast infection?

The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itchiness in and around the vagina. Other symptoms include:

• Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the area around it
• Pain when urinating
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• A thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell

You may only have a few of these symptoms and they may be mild or severe.

Should I call my doctor if I think I have a yeast infection?

Yes, you need to see your doctor to know for sure if you have a yeast infection, especially if you’ve never had one before. The signs of a yeast infection are similar to those of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia and gonorrhea. So, it’s hard to be sure you have a yeast infection and not something more serious.

If you’ve had vaginal yeast infections in the past, talk to your doctor about using over-the-counter medicines.

How is a vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a pelvic exam to look for swelling and discharge. She may also use a swab to take a sample from the vagina. A quick look under the microscope or a lab test will show if yeast is causing the problem.

Why did I get a yeast infection?

Many things can change the acidity of the vagina and boost your chances of a vaginal yeast infection. These include:

• stress
• lack of sleep
• sickness
• poor diet, or extreme intake of sugary foods
• pregnancy
• having your period
• taking birth control pills
• taking antibiotics
• taking steroid medicines
• diseases such as poorly-controlled diabetes and HIV infection

Can I get a yeast infection from having sex?

Yes, but it is rare. Women usually do not get yeast infections from sex. Instead, a weakened immune system is the most common cause of yeast infections.

How are yeast infections treated?

Yeast infections can be cured with antifungal medicines in the form of creams, tablets, ointments or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina. These medicines include butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, nystatin, tioconazole and terconazole. These products can be bought over-the-counter at the drug store or grocery store. Your doctor can also prescribe you a single dose of oral fluconazole.

Infections that do not respond to these medicines are becoming more common. Using antifungal medicines when you don’t really have a yeast infection can boost your risk of getting a hard-to-treat infection in the future.

Is it safe to use over-the-counter medicines for yeast infections?

Yes, but it is important to talk to your doctor first. Always call your doctor before treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection if:

• you are pregnant
• you have never been diagnosed with a yeast infection
• you are having repeat yeast infections

Studies show that two thirds of women who buy these products do not really have a yeast infection. Using these medicines incorrectly may lead to a hard-to-treat infection. Plus, treating yourself for a yeast infection when you really have another kind of infection may worsen the problem.

If you decide to use these over-the-counter medicines, be sure to read and follow the directions carefully. Some creams and inserts may weaken condoms and diaphragms.

If I have a yeast infection, does my sexual partner need to be treated?

Not unless he shows signs of a yeast infection. Rarely, men who have sex with women with yeast infections will get an itchy rash on their penis. If this happens, he should see his doctor.

What should I do if I get repeat yeast infections?

Call your doctor. About five percent of women develop four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year. This is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). RVVC is more common in women with diabetes or weakened immune systems. Doctors normally treat this problem with antifungal medicine for up to six months.

How can I avoid getting another yeast infection?

To help prevent vaginal yeast infections, try the following:

• Don’t use douches.
• Avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads and tampons.
• Change tampons and pads often during your period.
• Don’t wear tight underwear or clothes made of synthetic fibers.
• Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch.
• Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as possible.

If you have repeat yeast infections, talk to your doctor.

For more information…

For more information on yeast infections, call the National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Phone Number (s): (800) 448-0440

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Phone Number (s): (800) 311-3435 (Public Inquiries) or (888) 232-3228 (Information Request System)

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Phone Number (s): (202) 863-2518 or (800) 762-2264 x 192 (for publications requests only)

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Phone Number: (800) 230-7526

This information was adapted from fact sheets from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All material contained in the FAQs is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the source is appreciated.

This FAQ was reviewed by:

Kerri Parks, MD

Assistant Professor

Los Angeles County Women’s and Children’s Hospital

USC-Keck School of Medicine

Los Angeles, CA

Mory Nouriani, MD

Sher Institute of Reproductive Medicine

Glendale, CA

The National Women’s Health Information Center is Sponsored by the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service.

©2012 An Inconvenient Woman. All Rights Reserved.