This is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis RVVC. RVVC is more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems, such as with HIV, but it can also happen in otherwise healthy women.
Doctors most often treat RVVC with antifungal medicine for up to six months. Researchers also are studying the effects of a vaccine to help prevent RVVC. For more information on vaginal yeast infections, call the OWH Helpline at or contact the following organizations:.
Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Breadcrumb Home A-Z health topics Vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal yeast infections Most women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their life.
What is a vaginal yeast infection? Who gets vaginal yeast infections? Are some women more at risk for yeast infections? Your risk for yeast infections is higher if: 2 You are pregnant You have diabetes and your blood sugar is not under control You use a type of hormonal birth control that has higher doses of estrogen You douche or use vaginal sprays You recently took antibiotics such as amoxicillin or steroid medicines You have a weakened immune system, such as from HIV.
What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections? Other signs and symptoms include: Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulva Pain when urinating Pain during sex Soreness A thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell You may have only a few of these symptoms. They may be mild or severe. What causes yeast infections? Yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of the microscopic fungus Candida. Can I get a yeast infection from having sex?
Should I call my doctor or nurse if I think I have a yeast infection? How is a yeast infection diagnosed? How is a yeast infection treated? Is it safe to use over-the-counter medicines for yeast infections? This is because: You may be trying to treat an infection that is not a yeast infection. Studies show that two out of three women who buy yeast infection medicine don't really have a yeast infection. STIs and BV require different treatments than yeast infections and, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems.
Using treatment when you do not actually have a yeast infection can cause your body to become resistant to the yeast infection medicine. This can make actual yeast infections harder to treat in the future. Some yeast infection medicine may weaken condoms and diaphragms, increasing your chance of getting pregnant or an STI when you have sex.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about what is best for you, and always read and follow the directions on the medicine carefully. How do I treat a yeast infection if I'm pregnant? Can I get a yeast infection from breastfeeding? Symptoms of thrush during breastfeeding include: Sore nipples that last more than a few days, especially after several weeks of pain-free breastfeeding Flaky, shiny, itchy, or cracked nipples Deep pink and blistered nipples Achy breast Shooting pain in the breast during or after feedings If you have any of these signs or symptoms or think your baby might have thrush in his or her mouth, call your doctor.
If I have a yeast infection, does my sexual partner need to be treated? If your partner is a man, the risk of infection is low. If this happens to your partner, he should see a doctor. Men who haven't been circumcised and men with diabetes are at higher risk. If your partner is a woman, she may be at risk. She should be tested and treated if she has any symptoms.
How can I prevent a yeast infection? Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots. It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close.
Carla Delgado. Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness.
For more information, visit our medical review board. Yeast infections are rarely contagious and are commonly caused by an overgrowth of yeast. Though they aren't normally contagious, yeast infections can cause irritation and discomfort during sex, so its recommended to avoid sexual activity if you have one. Practicing good hygiene, among several other practices, is key to preventing yeast infections from developing.
Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice. Outside of writing, she works for local theatre productions as a stage manager and assistant sound operator. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Additional comments. Email optional. Receive a selection of our best stories daily based on your reading preferences. Indeed, most of the time yeast infections develop because of factors that throw off the microbial balance of the body — such as hormonal changes and antibiotic use — and allow Candida yeasts to grow out of control, causing infection.
But yeast infections can share many of the same symptoms as some STIs or sexually transmitted diseases STDs , such as vaginal itching , burning, pain, and discharge. Given the prevalence of STDs and yeast infections, it's not unreasonable for a woman to wonder if a yeast infection may increase her risk of other vaginal infections.
For the most part, yeast infections aren't associated with the development of an STD. But by scratching to relieve vaginal itching, you may inadvertently create microscopic tears in the skin that allow bacteria or viruses that cause STDs to enter your body more easily.
HIV is a known risk factor for yeast infections — it suppresses the immune system, allowing opportunistic infections to take root. Some studies suggest that about 50 to 70 percent of women with HIV develop vaginal yeast infections at some point in their lives.
Research also suggests that the connection works the other way around: vaginal yeast infections increase a woman's risk of getting HIV.
In a study published in the Journal of Women's Health , researchers looked at women who were not HIV positive but who were in a sexual relationship with someone who was.
They found that the women who eventually contracted HIV were significantly more likely to have had yeast infections. They concluded that women in high-risk relationships should receive regular gynecological evaluation and be taught how to prevent yeast infections — and to treat them quickly when they do occur — to decrease their risk of HIV infection.
Since yeast infections can irritate the vaginal lining even if you haven't been scratching, it's a good idea to use condoms if you plan to be sexually active while you have a yeast infection and don't know the HIV status of your partner. Generally, it's recommended to wait to have sex until after your infection clears — which typically only takes one to seven days with antifungal medications.
If you're considering having sex while you have a vaginal yeast infection , it's important to first consider the risks. For one thing, the vaginal itching and burning associated with yeast infections may make sex uncomfortable or painful and increase vaginal burning and inflammation. Additionally, the friction involved with penetrative sex can cause tiny tears in the vagina , making you more susceptible to STDs.
Another thing that might hinder you from having sex is the yeast infection treatment method you're using. If you're using creams to treat your vaginal yeast infection, it's best to delay intercourse until the therapy is complete, as sex can essentially push the medication out of the vagina.
In general, yeast infections aren't frequently spread from one partner to another during sex.
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