July 27, 2022

Glossary: Yeast Infection

More like this:

Join us

Members Get More
Access.Community.Events

Join the It'sFetch community

Share this post

What is Vaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infection)

Vaginal candidiasis is a type of fungal infection caused by a yeast called Candida in the vagina. This particular yeast is normally found in the body like the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, however, Candida can cause an infection if there is a change such as hormones, medicines, or changes in the immune system which makes the infection more likely to happen. Vaginal candidiasis is common, and it is reported as the second most common type of vaginal infection after bacterial vaginal infections in the United States. Vaginal candidiasis is often mild, but some women can develop severe infections that involve redness, swelling, and cracks in the wall of the vagina.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a yeast infection can include vaginal itching or soreness, pain during sex or when urinating, and abnormal vaginal discharge (thick, white, like cottage cheese). Women who are pregnant, using hormonal contraceptives, have diabetes, have a weakened immune system, or those who are currently or have recently taken antibiotics are prone to getting yeast infections. 

Prevention and Treatment

To prevent yeast infections, wearing cotton underwear might help reduce the chances of getting it. Taking antibiotics can also lead to getting yeast infections, so only take antibiotics when prescribed to do so by your healthcare provider. 

Yeast infections can be treatable with antifungal medicine. It can either be treated with an antifungal medicine applied inside the vagina or an oral dose of fluconazole. If the symptoms get worse, other medicines can be applied in the vagina like boric acid, nystatin, or flucytosine. 

It’s Fetch is a community that provides a safe space for members to discuss health and wellness topics. We provide access to archived health related content, note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content shared, regardless of date should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. 

—Written by Megan Enciso (MPH Candidate, USC). Reviewed by Adriana Bakhoum MPH.

Comments +

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Category Menu

health

Wellness

perimenopause

nutrition