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Frequently Asked Yeast Infection Questions

Yeast Infection Overview
Causes of Yeast Infections
Symptoms of Yeast Infections
Frequency
Seeing Your Doctor
Frequent Yeast Infections
Treatment Options

What is a yeast infection?
Yeast infections are the result of an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast, or fungus, which is one of the organisms found naturally in a woman's vagina. This overgrowth often occurs when there is an imbalance in the acidity of the vagina or in the body's hormones.

What are some of the common causes of yeast infections?
There are several possible causes of yeast infections:

Antibiotics - One of the more common side effects of oral antibiotics are yeast infections. When the antibiotics attack the disease-causing bacteria for which they were originally intended, they may also kill bacteria in the vagina leading to an overgrowth of yeast.
Diabetes - Women with diabetes are susceptible to yeast infections for a couple of reasons. First, uncontrolled diabetes impairs the immune system's ability to fight infections. In addition, high blood sugars increase the sugar level in the vagina allowing yeast to proliferate.
Lifestyle behaviors - Certain behaviors can trigger yeast infections, and women should be aware of them. They include:
- Douching
- Wearing tight clothing (e.g., tight jeans)
- Wearing synthetic underwear
- Wearing wet swimsuits for prolonged periods of time
- Wiping from rear to front after using the bathroom
Menopause - While there is no direct connection between menopause and yeast infections, there is a link between estrogen replacement therapies (ERT) associated with menopause and yeast infections. The higher levels of estrogen from the synthetic hormone therapies can create a hormone imbalance which may lead to a yeast infection.
Menstruation - The time of the month right before a woman gets her period is also the time when the body produces the most blood-sugar. These sudden changes in hormone levels can lead to yeast infections for many women.
Oral contraceptives - Years ago, certain birth control pills high in estrogen were a frequent cause of yeast infections for many women. Fortunately today, most oral contraceptives contain lower doses of estrogen and therefore lower the risk of causing yeast infections. However, birth control pills may still be a cause of yeast infections in some women.
Pregnancy - The hormone changes that occur during pregnancy are another common cause of yeast infections. More specifically, a woman's body produces more sugar than normal during pregnancy (especially as she nears child birth). This shift in blood-sugar makes pregnant women likely to get yeast infections.
Steroids - Steroid therapies are anti-inflammatory agents which may decrease the body's ability to fight off infections. They may also increase the sugar levels in the blood, and the vagina, allowing yeast to proliferate there.
Weakened immune system - A weak immune system reduces the body's ability to ward off yeast infections. Weakened immune systems can be caused from: lack of sleep, poor diet, stress, diabetes, HIV infection, as well as any other immune-system disorders.

What are the symptoms of yeast infections?
Symptoms of yeast infections can include any or all of the following:

Itching
Irritation or soreness
Burning during urination
Pain with sexual intercourse
Vaginal discharge (ranging from white to yellow in color with a "cheese-like" consistency)
Rash or redness
Odor

Are yeast infections common?
Yes. Recent studies show that nearly 75% of all women will get at least one yeast infection during their lives. Furthermore, approximately 45% of women will have more than one yeast infection throughout the course of their lives.

Do I need to see my doctor if I think I might have a yeast infection??
Surprisingly, more than half of the women who are self-treating yeast infections don't actually have a yeast infection. By medicating the wrong condition, you can be putting your body at greater risk for future or more severe yeast infections. Furthermore, you can worsen the existing condition that you have. Bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections (UTI's), vulvar vestibulitis, lichen planus, herpes, trichomoniasis, and other STDs are some of the frequently mislabeled conditions that women think are (and treat as) yeast infections.

It is very important to see your doctor if you think you may have a yeast infection - especially if you've never experienced any of the symptoms before. A doctor or gynecologist can perform a "wet prep" test, which simply involves them taking a swab from your vagina and looking at the sample under a microscope. Another test your doctor may use is called a yeast culture. This test involves growing yeast in a test tube or petri dish to confirm the diagnosis. These tests are of vital importance in the proper diagnosis of yeast infections.

Women who have had yeast infections before, and are sure that their current symptoms are another yeast infection can self-treat their infection using any of the over-the-counter products available on the market today. However, if the condition does not clear up or if it worsens, they should see their physician immediately.

I get several yeast infections throughout the course of the year? Is this normal??
Women who experience multiple yeast infections throughout the year are suffering from 'recurrent yeast infections' and should be under the care of a doctor. Recurrent yeast infections can be the sign of something more serious (such as diabetes or immune-system deficiencies) and treating the root of the problem may reduce the amount of annual yeast infections.

Only approximately 5% of women actually suffer from recurrent yeast infections, however, many more women think that they do. Because so many women mistake their symptoms, it is very important to see your doctor and ask her/him to perform the necessary diagnostic tests, if you think you have a yeast infection.

There are several treatments available on the market for yeast infections. How do I know which one to use?
The two main types of yeast infection treatments are topical (creams) and oral (pills). As with any medication, you need to check with your doctor to see which type of medication is right for you.

There are a few key differences between topical and oral medications. Topical medications typically have fewer side effects and possible drug interactions than oral medications do. Also, there are certain brands of topical medication that women can buy over-the-counter if they choose to self-treat their yeast infection whereas oral medications are only available by prescription. Oral treatments are known to have more side effects than their topical counterparts, however, some women prefer the convenience of taking a pill as opposed to using a cream or ointment. Another main difference between topical and oral medication is the speed at which they work; because topical medications are applied directly to the affected area, they tend to relieve symptoms more quickly than oral medications.