Vaginal Yeast Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Recurrence

Updated: August 2026

A vaginal yeast infection, medically known as vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), occurs when Candida yeast grows excessively in the vagina and causes inflammation.

Candida can normally be present in the vagina without causing symptoms. Problems develop when conditions allow the yeast to multiply excessively.

Typical symptoms include intense vaginal or vulval itching, irritation, soreness and abnormal discharge, which may be thick and white. However, these symptoms are not unique to yeast infections. Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis and some sexually transmitted infections can produce overlapping symptoms.

Vaginal candidiasis is treatable, but recurrent symptoms deserve proper medical assessment rather than repeated self-treatment.

What Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an inflammatory condition involving the vagina and vulva caused by Candida species.

Candida albicans causes most cases, although other Candida species can also be responsible.

The vagina naturally contains microorganisms, including bacteria and sometimes Candida, without causing disease.

Normally, the vaginal environment helps keep these organisms under control. Changes in this environment can allow Candida to multiply and produce symptoms.

This means finding Candida does not automatically mean someone has an infection. Symptoms and appropriate clinical or laboratory findings are important when making the diagnosis.

How Common Are Vaginal Yeast Infections?

Vaginal candidiasis is common.

Many women experience at least one episode during their lifetime, and some experience repeated infections.

Although uncomplicated infections usually respond well to appropriate antifungal treatment, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis can significantly affect comfort, sexual health and quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Common symptoms include:

• Intense vulval or vaginal itching
• Vaginal or vulval irritation
• Soreness
• Redness
• Swelling of the vulva
• Burning, particularly during urination
• Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Abnormal vaginal discharge

The discharge associated with candidiasis is often described as thick, white and curd-like or cottage-cheese-like.

However, discharge can vary and may sometimes be less characteristic.

Importantly, vaginal candidiasis does not typically cause a strong fishy vaginal odour. A noticeable fishy smell is more characteristic of bacterial vaginosis, although symptoms alone should not be used to make a definite diagnosis.

Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection an STI?

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is not usually considered a sexually transmitted infection.

Most uncomplicated cases are not acquired through sexual intercourse.

Sexual activity can sometimes contribute to irritation or symptoms, and Candida can occasionally affect sexual partners, but routine treatment of sexual partners is generally unnecessary.

A male partner who develops symptoms such as redness, irritation or itching of the glans penis should seek appropriate medical assessment.

What Causes Vaginal Yeast Infections?

The immediate cause is excessive growth of Candida in the vaginal environment.

Several factors can make this more likely.

Antibiotic Use

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt normal vaginal bacteria and create conditions that allow Candida to multiply.

This is why some women develop candidiasis during or shortly after antibiotic treatment.

Antibiotics should therefore be used only when medically appropriate.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase susceptibility to vaginal candidiasis.

Pregnancy also changes which treatments are appropriate, making professional assessment particularly important.

Diabetes

Poorly controlled diabetes can increase the likelihood of candidiasis and may contribute to recurrent or difficult-to-treat infections.

Women experiencing repeated yeast infections may need assessment for underlying contributing factors where clinically appropriate.

Weakened Immune System

Conditions or medicines that suppress immune function can increase susceptibility to complicated candidiasis.

This includes poorly controlled HIV infection and some immunosuppressive treatments.

Hormonal Factors

Changes in hormone levels can influence the vaginal environment.

Some women experience candidiasis in association with pregnancy or other hormonal changes.

However, it is important not to attribute every vaginal symptom to "hormonal imbalance" without appropriate assessment.

Are Stress, Lack of Sleep or Poor Diet Direct Causes?

These are frequently blamed for vaginal yeast infections, but the relationship is not as simple as many online explanations suggest.

Stress, inadequate sleep or an unhealthy diet may affect general health, but they should not be presented as established direct causes of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Similarly, simply eating sugar does not directly prove that someone will develop a vaginal yeast infection.

The more important metabolic issue is poorly controlled blood glucose in diabetes, which can increase susceptibility.

Is a Yeast Infection the Same as Bacterial Vaginosis?

No.

They are different vaginal conditions.

Vaginal candidiasis is caused by excessive growth of Candida yeast and commonly produces itching, irritation, redness and thick discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) involves an imbalance in vaginal bacteria and is more characteristically associated with thin discharge and a fishy vaginal odour.

Neither condition should automatically be diagnosed based on discharge alone.

Women can also have more than one vaginal condition at the same time.

Read our detailed guide to Bacterial Vaginosis: Symptoms, Fishy Odour, Causes and Treatment for more information.

How Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection Diagnosed?

Symptoms can suggest candidiasis, but symptoms alone are not always enough for an accurate diagnosis.

A healthcare professional may ask about:

• Current symptoms
• Previous episodes
• Pregnancy
• Recent antibiotic use
• Diabetes
• Medicines
• Sexual-health history
• Previous treatment

An examination may be performed where appropriate.

A sample of vaginal discharge can also be examined microscopically or tested using other laboratory methods.

Microscopy

Vaginal secretions may be examined under a microscope for evidence of yeast or fungal structures.

Culture or Other Laboratory Testing

Culture can help identify Candida, particularly when symptoms persist or repeatedly return.

Identifying the species can become important because some non-albicans Candida species respond differently to commonly used antifungal medicines.

Why Self-Diagnosis Can Be Wrong

Itching and vaginal discharge do not automatically mean candidiasis.

Similar symptoms can occur with:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Trichomoniasis
• Some sexually transmitted infections
• Contact dermatitis
• Allergic or chemical irritation
• Other vulval or vaginal conditions

Even women who have previously had a diagnosed yeast infection may incorrectly identify a later episode.

Repeatedly buying antifungal treatment without confirming the cause can delay diagnosis of another condition.

How Is Vaginal Yeast Infection Treated?

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is treated with antifungal medicines.

The appropriate treatment depends on whether the infection is uncomplicated or complicated, whether the woman is pregnant, whether infections are recurrent and which Candida species is responsible.

Treatment of Uncomplicated Vaginal Candidiasis

Uncomplicated infections may be treated with vaginal antifungal medicines from the azole family.

Examples include medicines containing:

• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole
• Terconazole

Oral fluconazole may be used for appropriate non-pregnant patients under suitable clinical guidance.

Treatment duration varies according to the medicine and formulation.

What Is Complicated Vaginal Candidiasis?

Some infections require more careful assessment or longer treatment.

Complicated candidiasis can include:

• Severe symptoms
• Recurrent infections
• Infection caused by some non-albicans Candida species
• Infection in women with poorly controlled diabetes
• Infection associated with significant immunosuppression

Treatment may differ from that used for a straightforward first episode.

This is why persistent or recurrent candidiasis should not simply be treated indefinitely with the same medicine.

What Is Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis generally refers to multiple symptomatic episodes within a year.

Women with recurrent symptoms should be properly evaluated.

Possible contributing factors include:

• Frequent antibiotic exposure
• Diabetes
• Immune suppression
• Non-albicans Candida
• Inadequate initial treatment

However, some women develop recurrent candidiasis without an obvious underlying cause.

Laboratory confirmation becomes particularly useful in recurrent cases because another condition may be causing the symptoms or a different Candida species may be involved.

How Is Recurrent Vaginal Candidiasis Treated?

Recurrent candidiasis may require a longer initial course of antifungal therapy followed by a maintenance treatment plan.

For appropriate patients, clinicians may use an extended antifungal regimen followed by maintenance treatment for several months.

The exact treatment should be determined by a healthcare professional.

Long-term antifungal use should not be started without appropriate assessment because treatment depends on pregnancy status, other medicines, underlying conditions and the Candida species involved.

Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

Vaginal candidiasis is relatively common during pregnancy.

Pregnant women should not self-prescribe oral fluconazole for a suspected yeast infection.

Current clinical guidance recommends topical azole therapy, generally for seven days, for vulvovaginal candidiasis during pregnancy.

Oral fluconazole is generally avoided during pregnancy because of concerns about adverse pregnancy outcomes.

If you are pregnant and develop vaginal itching, irritation or abnormal discharge, speak with a healthcare professional so that the diagnosis can be confirmed and an appropriate pregnancy-safe treatment selected.

Should Your Sexual Partner Be Treated?

Routine treatment of sexual partners is not generally recommended for uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis.

A minority of male partners may develop inflammation of the glans penis, known as balanitis, with symptoms such as redness, itching or irritation.

Symptomatic partners should seek appropriate treatment.

Repeated yeast infections should not automatically be blamed on an untreated partner.

Can You Have Sex While You Have a Yeast Infection?

Sex may worsen soreness and irritation when vaginal or vulval tissues are inflamed.

Waiting until symptoms improve may therefore be more comfortable.

Another practical issue is that some oil-based vaginal antifungal creams and suppositories can weaken latex condoms and diaphragms.

Check the medicine's instructions or ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional about contraception and condom use during treatment.

Do Home Remedies Cure Vaginal Yeast Infections?

Many substances are promoted online as natural treatments for candidiasis.

Common examples include:

• Garlic
• Coconut oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Tea tree oil
• Yogurt inserted into the vagina
• Vitamin supplements

These should not replace proven antifungal treatment.

Putting garlic, vinegar, essential oils or other irritating substances inside the vagina can cause irritation or tissue injury and may make symptoms worse.

The vagina does not need to be disinfected.

What About Probiotics and Yogurt?

Probiotics are frequently promoted for vaginal health because certain Lactobacillus species form part of the normal vaginal microbiome.

However, evidence is insufficient to recommend probiotics or yogurt as a replacement for established antifungal treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Eating yogurt as part of a normal diet is different from inserting yogurt into the vagina.

Do not insert food products into the vagina to treat an infection.

What About Boric Acid?

Boric acid requires a more careful explanation than simply calling it a home remedy.

Clinicians may use intravaginal boric acid in selected cases, particularly some recurrent or non-albicans Candida infections that have not responded to standard treatment.

However, it should not be casually recommended for every suspected yeast infection.

Boric acid must never be swallowed and can be toxic if taken orally.

Pregnant women should not self-treat with boric acid.

Its use should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Can You Prevent Vaginal Yeast Infections?

Not every episode can be prevented.

However, sensible measures include:

• Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use
• Keep diabetes appropriately controlled
• Avoid vaginal douching
• Avoid unnecessary scented vaginal products
• Change out of wet clothing when practical
• Seek assessment for recurrent symptoms instead of repeatedly self-treating
• Use prescribed antifungal medicines correctly

There is no need to aggressively clean the vagina.

The vagina is self-cleaning, and excessive internal cleansing can disturb its normal environment.

Do Tight Clothes Cause Yeast Infections?

Warm and moist environments can affect comfort and local skin conditions, but clothing alone should not be presented as a proven direct cause of vaginal candidiasis.

Comfortable, breathable clothing may help reduce irritation, particularly while symptoms are present.

The more important issue is avoiding unnecessary products and practices that irritate the vulva or vagina.

When Should You See a Healthcare Professional?

Seek medical assessment if:

• This is your first suspected yeast infection
• You are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by yeast
• Symptoms persist after treatment
• Symptoms repeatedly return
• You experience several episodes within a year
• You are pregnant
• You have poorly controlled diabetes
• You have a weakened immune system
• You develop fever or significant pelvic pain
• Your vaginal discharge has a strong unpleasant or fishy smell
• You have sores, ulcers or unexplained genital lesions
• You may have been exposed to an STI

Fever, significant pelvic pain or genital ulcers are not typical features of uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis and should prompt assessment for another cause.

Common Myths About Vaginal Yeast Infections

Myth: Every white vaginal discharge is a yeast infection.

False. Normal vaginal discharge and several vaginal conditions can produce white discharge.

Myth: A fishy vaginal smell means yeast infection.

Usually false. Fishy odour is more characteristic of bacterial vaginosis.

Myth: Vaginal yeast infection is an STI.

Not usually. Uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis is not generally acquired through sexual intercourse.

Myth: Your partner must be treated whenever you have candidiasis.

False. Routine partner treatment is not generally recommended unless the partner has relevant symptoms.

Myth: Garlic, vinegar or yogurt can reliably cure vaginal candidiasis.

There is insufficient evidence to recommend these as substitutes for proven antifungal treatment, and inserting irritating substances into the vagina can cause harm.

Myth: More vaginal washing prevents yeast infections.

False. The vagina does not need internal cleaning, and douching or irritating products can disturb the vaginal environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does yeast infection discharge look like?

It is commonly described as thick, white and curd-like, although appearance varies.

Does a yeast infection smell fishy?

A strong fishy smell is not typical of candidiasis and may suggest bacterial vaginosis or another condition.

Can antibiotics cause a yeast infection?

Antibiotic use can disrupt normal vaginal bacteria and increase susceptibility to candidiasis in some women.

Can diabetes cause recurrent yeast infections?

Poorly controlled diabetes can increase susceptibility to candidiasis and may contribute to recurrent infections.

Can a yeast infection go away without treatment?

Some mild symptoms may improve, but persistent or troublesome candidiasis generally benefits from appropriate antifungal treatment. Symptoms that do not improve should be assessed because another condition may be responsible.

Can men get Candida infections?

Yes. Candida can cause conditions such as balanitis in men, but this does not mean uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis should automatically be treated as a sexually transmitted infection.

Can vaginal yeast infection affect pregnancy?

Candidiasis is common during pregnancy and can be treated, but pregnancy changes which medicines are recommended. Pregnant women should seek appropriate advice rather than self-treating with oral fluconazole.

Why does my yeast infection keep coming back?

Recurrent symptoms can be associated with factors such as antibiotic exposure, diabetes, immune suppression or non-albicans Candida, although some women have no obvious underlying cause. Repeated symptoms should be properly diagnosed.

Key Takeaways

Vaginal yeast infection, or vulvovaginal candidiasis, is caused by excessive growth of Candida yeast.

Common symptoms include intense itching, irritation, soreness and thick white vaginal discharge.

It is different from bacterial vaginosis, which is more characteristically associated with thin discharge and fishy odour.

Vaginal candidiasis is not usually considered a sexually transmitted infection, and sexual partners do not routinely require treatment.

Antifungal medicines are the evidence-based treatment.

Garlic, apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, coconut oil and vaginal yogurt should not be promoted as substitutes for established antifungal therapy.

Recurrent symptoms deserve proper investigation rather than repeated self-treatment.

Pregnant women should seek appropriate care because oral fluconazole is generally avoided and topical azole therapy is preferred.

Most importantly, itching or vaginal discharge does not automatically mean a yeast infection. When symptoms persist, recur or do not fit the usual pattern, proper diagnosis matters.

References and Further Reading

World Health Organization. Recommendations for the treatment of Candida albicans and other Candida species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis. In: Recommendations for the treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Candida albicans, bacterial vaginosis and human papillomavirus (anogenital warts). 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: STI Treatment Guidelines.

National Health Service. Thrush in men and women.