Title: What Is a Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention | Everyday Health
Headings: What Is a Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
What Is a Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Common Questions & Answers
Signs and Symptoms of Yeast Infections
Editor's Picks
Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Your Ob-Gyn Wellness Visit Because of the Pandemic
What’s The Best Treatment for a Yeast Infection?
Yeast Infections in Men: What to Know
Causes and Risk Factors of Yeast Infection
Most Popular
Yeast Infections and Sex: What Men and Women Should Know
The Female Climax, Orgasm and Pleasure
Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections
Is It Safe to Have Sex During Your Period?
Diagnosis of a Yeast Infection
Duration of Yeast Infection
Editor's Picks
Yeast Infections and Sex: What Men and Women Should Know
Treatment and Medication Options for a Yeast Infection
Medications Options
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Most Recent in Yeast Infection
Bacterial Vaginosis vs. Yeast Infection
Chronic Yeast Infections: 11 Common Causes & Solutions
Healthy Hygiene to Prevent Yeast Infections
Can You Have Sex While You Have a Vaginal Yeast Infection?
Prevention of a Yeast Infection
Editor's Picks
7 Surprising Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infections
Complications of a Yeast Infection
Research and Statistics: How Many People Get Yeast Infections?
Related Conditions and Causes of Yeast Infections
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Pregnancy
Diabetes and Vaginal Yeast Infections
Nongenital Yeast Infections
Resources We Love
Favorite Organizations for Yeast Infection Info
Mayo Clinic
MedlinePlus
Office on Women’s Health (OWH)
Favorite Website for Kids’ Yeast Issues
Healthy Children
Favorite Yeast Infection News Subscription Service
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Favorite App for Those With Yeast Infections
Clue app
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
NEWSLETTERS
Sign up for our Women's Health Newsletter!
Enter your email
The Latest in Yeast Infection
Bacterial Vaginosis vs. Yeast Infection
Chronic Yeast Infections: 11 Common Causes & Solutions
Conditions That Increase Your Risk for Yeast Infection
How Yeast Infections Are Diagnosed
Telling Your Partner About a Yeast Infection
The Truth Behind Common Beliefs About Yeast Infections
Healthy Hygiene to Prevent Yeast Infections
Why Yeast Infections Are Common Among Pregnant Women
Are Your Medications Causing Yeast Infections?
Yeast Infections and Your Diet: What's the Connection?

Content: 6, 7)
Candida yeast cause an infection when something throws off the balance of microorganisms that live in and on your body, such as: Pregnancy
Certain types of medication, including hormonal contraceptives ( birth control pills , patches, or vaginal rings), antibiotics, and steroids
Immune-suppressing diseases, including HIV
Diabetes
Obesity
Stress and lack of sleep, which can weaken the immune system (2,3)
Additionally, certain lifestyle habits may also promote the growth of Candida, including: Being sexually active (vaginal yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted infection but they are more common in women who are sexually active)
Eating a diet high in sugar (a yeast food source)
Douching
Other contraceptive use, including vaginal sponges, diaphragms, and intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Maintaining poor vaginal hygiene
Wearing clothing that keeps the vaginal area warm and moist, such as synthetic underwear, pajama bottoms, and tight jeans or spandex (3, 8, 9)
Most Popular
Yeast Infections and Sex: What Men and Women Should Know
The Female Climax, Orgasm and Pleasure
Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections
Is It Safe to Have Sex During Your Period? Diagnosis of a Yeast Infection
Though it may be tempting to self-diagnose a vaginal yeast infection, since effective over-the-counter (OTC) treatments exist, experts recommend you see a doctor. Several other conditions — notably bacterial vaginosis (vaginal infection caused by bacteria), trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection), and dermatitis (irritated skin) — can cause symptoms similar to yeast infections, making self-diagnosis difficult. In one study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, only about 34 percent of women who purchased OTC antifungal medications accurately diagnosed themselves with a yeast infection. ( 3)
You should especially see a doctor if: This is your first yeast infection. Medications for a previous yeast infection are not working on your current infection.