All You Need to Know About Yeast Infections
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
Medically-reviewed by Dr. Monique White-Dominguez
To many peoples’ surprise, yeast infections are quite common among women. Studies show that 75% of women get a vaginal yeast infection at least one time in their life. But how much do we really know about them?
Chances are good you’ve heard about yeast infections; maybe even had one yourself. But when it comes down to the causes, symptoms, and the best way to treat it, many women find they’re in the dark.
Today we are diving into yeast infections to provide you with all the information you should have on hand to understand this common infection.
What is a yeast infection?
We all have yeast living inside our bodies – yes, that includes men, too. The right amount of yeast is something you want, but where it becomes a problem is when that yeast multiplies.
The excess growth of yeast in the body leads to a yeast infection which is simply a fungal infection that can lead to irritation, discharge, and some serious itchiness down there.
What causes a yeast infection?
A vaginal yeast infection is the result of an imbalance in the vagina’s natural bacteria. Similar to the gut, the vagina has healthy bacteria that keep everything in check. When that bacteria is thrown off course and grows out of control, it can lead to a yeast infection.
There are a few different things that can cause yeast infections:
Change in diet
Taking antibiotics
Diabetes
Autoimmune disorders
High-estrogen birth control
Douches or vaginal sprays
Though vaginal yeast infections are not considered STIs, the Mayo Clinic shares that there is a higher risk of getting one “at the time of first regular sexual activity.” And, in rare cases, yeast infections have been shown to pass in oral sex. Unlike STIs, yeast infections are not typically contagious, and only very few of them are passed between partners.
What are the symptoms of a yeast infection?
The symptoms you may experience with a yeast infection vary a bit from person to person, though it seems that most women share the common symptom of thick, white discharge and itching.
Here are other symptoms of yeast infections, as stated by Mayo Clinic:
Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva
A burning sensation, especially during intercourse or while urinating
Redness and swelling of the vulva
Vaginal pain and soreness
Vaginal rash
Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance
Watery vaginal discharge
How do I treat a yeast infection?
The treatment of a yeast infection depends on how bad it is, and how frequently you deal with them.
If you haven’t had many yeast infections before and your symptoms are fairly mild, most people turn to over-the-counter antifungal medication for up to a week. The most common one is Monistat, which is a suppository used to release the medication inside your body to clear the infection.
Other medications may require a prescription, such as fluconazole, that you take just one time to rid your body of the infection.
If you find that you are getting yeast infections regularly or your symptoms are more severe, then it’s time to see a provider. A doctor will likely test a sample of your vaginal discharge or a urine sample to determine the bigger issue.
Is it safe to have sex with a yeast infection?
Since yeast infections are technically not STIs and are rarely passed between partners, it is, medically speaking, safe to have sex with a yeast infection. However, most women find that they experience pain and discomfort with this kind of infection which makes them less interested in sex.
