Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are common in women. They are caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans in the vagina. Symptoms of a yeast infection can include an odor, vaginal discharge, vaginal itching or burning, pain during sex, or pain when urinating. Men can be infected by a yeast infection if they have unprotected sex. In men, symptoms can be penile redness or itching.

Yeast infections can be cured with antifungal medications, creams, or suppositories

Reporting

According to the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), in the United States nearly 75% of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives. (source)
(back to top)

Causes / Risks

A yeast infection is usually the result of an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans in the vagina. The overgrowth can be caused by damp underwear, tight pants that trap moisture and heat, antibiotics, steroids, bubble baths, frequent douching, or vaginal products (lubricants, sprays, birth control devices).

Use of oral contraceptives or consuming large amounts of sugar, starch, or yeasts can also cause yeast infections. Women who have menopause, are pregnant, have multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or are obese can have an increased risk of developing a yeast infection. Women with a weakened immune system also have an increased risk.

Men can be infected by the yeast overgrowth during vaginal sex, but it is unlikely to occur.
(back to top)

Symptoms

The main symptom of a yeast infection is vaginal itching. Other possible symptoms include a thick white vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese, a smell like baking bread, vaginal itching or burning or irritation, vaginal inflammation, pain when urinating, or pain during vaginal sex.

Men infected could experience penile itching and rash.
(back to top)

Testing / Diagnosis

Yeast infections can be diagnosed by laboratory testing and a physical examination by a health care provider. The health care provider could do a visual exam (for white plaques on the vaginal wall) and/or take a sample of the discharge from the vaginal wall or cervix during a pelvic exam. The sample is then viewed under a microscope by the health care provider.

It is important to note, women should not douche a few days before visiting their health care provider for a pelvic examination. Douching can hide signs of infection or make yeast infections worse. Women should also not schedule the exam when they are menstruating.
(back to top)

Treatment

Yeast infections can be cured with antifungal medications. One common antifungal medication is fluconazole (Diflucan). They can also be cured with an antifungal cream or suppository, such as miconazole (Monistat) or clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin). A health care provider should be consulted on what method of treatment to use. Over the counter treatments for yeast infections are less expensive and more convenient, but other types of vaginitis can be mistaken for yeast infections. So the treatment would not offer any help and could make the condition worse.

It is important to note, some yeast medications make latex condoms and diaphragms weaker and more likely to break. People who use either one should ask their health care provider which medicine to use.
(back to top)

Complications

There are no major complications from yeast infections. Going without treatment can cause the infection to become chronic (long lasting) or cause infections to reoccur.
(back to top)

Prevention

To reduce the risk of yeast infections, women should avoid tight clothing that traps moisture and heat and should always wear clean underwear. However, underwear should not be worn to bed because it can help provide a moist environment that yeast can thrive in. Douching should also be avoided. It can upset the natural balance inside the vagina and allow yeast overgrowth.

Eating a daily cup of yogurt that contains active lactobacillus culture can help prevent yeast infections from being caused by antibiotics and can help reduce reoccurring infections.

Women should also make sure to keep their vaginal area clean and dry. Men should make sure to correctly use a latex condom to reduce their risk of being infected by a woman who has a yeast infection.
(back to top)