Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Some yeast or fungus normally lives in a healthy vagina. When there is too much yeast, you can have vaginal burning and/or itching and sometimes a sticky or clumpy, white vaginal discharge. This is called a vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) infection or “yeast infection.”

Yeast can overgrow in the vagina for many reasons. Yeast grows best in dark, moist areas. Tight clothes, nylon underwear, and extra folds of skin make areas that are easy for yeast to grow. Yeast also grows when the normal bacteria in the vagina change. This can happen if you take antibiotics or when your hormones change. Hormones change when you take birth control pills or when you are pregnant. Yeast also likes sugar. If you eat too much sugar or have diabetes that is not controlled, yeast is more likely to overgrow. Yeast may overgrow if your immune system is weak like with HIV or medications like steroids.

Wear cotton underwear and change out of wet swimsuits or workout clothes quickly to keep moisture away from your vagina. Materials like nylon can keep the vagina moist. Avoiding the use of panty liners and tights or pantyhose may also prevent VVC. Do not douche. This removes good bacteria that protect your vagina from too much yeast. Do not insert any lotions or perfumes inside the vaginal, especially products that have heavy scents or chemicals. They may irritate your vagina.

Most yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter medicine inserted into your vagina that comes as a cream, suppository, or tablet. The medicines listed here are used for 1 to 7 days. One-day treatments should only be used for mild infections. If you are having a lot of burning or itching, you will want to use the medicine for 3 or 7 days. If you are pregnant, you need to use a 7-day treatment. Use the medicine for the entire time, even if you feel better. Stopping the medicine too soon can cause the infection to come back. If the symptoms do not go away, contact your health care provider for further evaluation and treatment. There a few prescription creams and a pill that can also be used if needed.

Wash your hands before and after you use these medicines. Clean the outside of your vagina with warm water and dry well. Insert the medicine into your vagina while you are lying down at night before you go to sleep. This helps the medicine stay in your vagina for several hours.

Slight burning of the skin or vagina is normal with first contact. There usually are no other problems related to using these medicines. But, you should not use any medicine if you are allergic to it.

Many of these medicines are oil-based. If you put the medicine in your vagina and use a latex condom or diaphragm when you have sex, the medicine may cause breaks. In that case, either avoid sex while using the medicines or use another type of birth control.

If you think this is your first VVC infection, you can try over-the-counter medication. If it does not improve your symptoms, or you think it could be a sexually transmitted infection, or you have an infection within 2 months of your first, you want to make certain it really is VVC. Your health care provider can take a sample of your vaginal discharge to see if there is too much yeast. If you are pregnant, your infection does not go away, or keeps coming back, see your health care provider for additional guidance.

This page may be reproduced for noncommercial use by health care professionals to share with clients. Any other reproduction is subject to JMWH approval. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JMWH suggests that you consult your health care provider.