Vaginal Yeast Infections
F r e q u e n t l y A s k e d q u e s t i o n s
Vaginal Yeast You may only have a few of these
symptoms. They may be mild or severe.
Infections
Q: Should I call my doctor if I think
I have a yeast infection?
A: Yes, you need to see your doctor to
find out for sure if you have a yeast
Q: What is a vaginal yeast
infection. The signs of a yeast infection
infection?
are much like those of sexually trans-
A: A vaginal yeast infection is irritation of
mitted infections (STIs) like Chlamydia
womenshealth.gov
the vagina and the area around it called
(KLUH-mid-ee-uh) and gonorrhea
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the vulva (vul-vuh).
(gahn-uh-REE-uh). So, it’s hard to be
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Yeast is a type of fungus. Yeast infec-
sure you have a yeast infection and not
tions are caused by overgrowth of the
something more serious.
fungus Candida albicans. Small amounts
If you’ve had vaginal yeast infections
of yeast are always in the vagina. But
before, talk to your doctor about using
when too much yeast grows, you can
over-the-counter medicines.
get an infection.
Yeast infections are very common.
Q: How is a vaginal yeast infection
About 75 percent of women have one
diagnosed?
during their lives. And almost half of
A: Your doctor will do a pelvic exam to
women have two or more vaginal yeast
look for swelling and discharge. Your
infections.
doctor may also use a swab to take a
fluid sample from your vagina. A quick
Q: What are the signs of a vaginal
look with a microscope or a lab test will
yeast infection?
show if yeast is causing the problem.
A: The most common symptom of a yeast
infection is extreme itchiness in and
Q: Why did I get a yeast infection?
around the vagina.
A: Many things can raise your risk of a
Other symptoms include:
vaginal yeast infection, such as:
• burning, redness, and swelling of
• stress
the vagina and the vulva
• lack of sleep
• pain when passing urine
• illness
• pain during sex
• poor eating habits, including eating
• soreness
extreme amounts of sugary foods
• a thick, white vaginal discharge that
• pregnancy
looks like cottage cheese and does
• having your period
not have a bad smell
• taking certain medicines, including
• a rash on the vagina
birth control pills, antibiotics, and
steroids
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
F r e q u e n t l y A s k e d q u e s t i o n s
• diseases such as poorly controlled
• have never been diagnosed with a
diabetes and HIV/AIDS
yeast infection
• hormonal changes during your peri-
• keep getting yeast infections
ods
Studies show that two-thirds of women
who buy these products don’t really
Q: Can I get a yeast infection from
have a yeast infection. Using these
having sex?
medicines the wrong way may lead to
A: Yes, but it is rare. Most often, women
a hard-to-treat infection. Plus, treating
don’t get yeast infections from sex. The
yourself for a yeast infection when you
most common cause is a weak immune
really have something else may worsen
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system.
the problem. Certain STIs that go
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untreated can cause cancer, infertility,
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pregnancy problems, and other health
Q: How are yeast infections
problems.
treated?
If you decide to use these over-the-
A: Yeast infections can be cured with
counter medicines, read and follow the
antifungal medicines that come as:
directions carefully. Some creams and
• creams
inserts may weaken condoms and dia-
• tablets
phragms.
• ointments or suppositories that are
inserted into the vagina
Q: If I have a yeast infection, does
my sexual partner need to be
These products can be bought over the
treated?
counter at the drug store or grocery
A: Yeast infections are not STIs, and health
store. Your doctor can also prescribe
experts don’t know for sure if they are
you a single dose of oral fluconazole
transmitted sexually. About 12 to 15
(floo-con-uh-zohl). But do not use
percent of men get an itchy rash on the
this drug if you are pregnant.
penis if they have unprotected sex with
Infections that don’t respond to these
an infected woman. If this happens to
medicines are starting to be more com-
your partner, he should see a doctor.
mon. Using antifungal medicines when
Men who haven’t been circumcised are
you don't really have a yeast infection
at higher risk.
can raise your risk of getting a hard-to-
Lesbians may be at risk for spread-
treat infection in the future.
ing yeast infections to their partner(s).
Research is still being done to find out.
Q: Is it safe to use over-the-counter
If your female partner has any symp-
medicines for yeast infections?
toms, she should also be tested and
A: Yes, but always talk with your doctor
treated.
before treating yourself for a vaginal
yeast infection if you:
• are pregnant
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
F r e q u e n t l y A s k e d q u e s t i o n s
Q: How can I avoid getting another
• avoid hot tubs and very hot baths
yeast infection?
If you keep getting yeast infections, be
A: To help prevent vaginal yeast infec-
sure and talk with your doctor.
tions, you can:
• avoid douches
Q: What should I do if I get repeat
• avoid scented hygiene products
yeast infections?
like bubble bath, sprays, pads, and
A: Call your doctor. About 5 percent
tampons
of women get four or more vaginal
• change tampons and pads often
yeast infections in 1 year. This is called
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during your period
recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
(RVVC). RVVC is more common in
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• avoid tight underwear or clothes
women with diabetes or weak immune
made of synthetic fibers
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systems. Doctors most often treat this
• wear cotton underwear and panty-
problem with antifungal medicine for
hose with a cotton crotch
up to 6 months. n
• change out of wet swimsuits and
exercise clothes as soon as you can
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
F r e q u e n t l y A s k e d q u e s t i o n s
For more information…
For more information about 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
Planned Parenthood Federation of
Infectious Diseases, NIH, HHS
America
Phone number: (866) 284-4107
Phone number: (800) 230-7526 or
Internet address: www.niaid.nih.gov/
(800) 230-PLAN
womenshealth.gov
publications/stds.htm
Internet address:
1-800-994-9662
www.plannedparenthood.org
Centers for Disease Control and
TDD: 1-888-220-5446
Prevention, HHS
Association of Reproductive Health
Phone number: (800) CDC-INFO or
Professionals
(800) 232-4636
Phone number: (202) 466-3825
Internet address: www.cdc.gov
Internet address: www.arhp.org/
CDC National Prevention
National Women’s Health Resource
Information Network (NPIN), CDC,
Center
HHS
Phone number: (877) 986-9472
Phone number: (800) 458-5231
Internet address: www.healthywomen.org/
Internet Address: www.cdcnpin.org
healthtopics/yeastinfections
American College of Obstetricians
American Academy of Family
and Gynecologists
Physicians (AAFP)
Phone number: (800) 762-2264 (for pub-
Internet address: http://familydoctor.org
lications requests only)
Internet address: www.acog.org
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 sources is appreciated.
Content last updated September 23, 2008.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
