Normal anatomy and vaginal yeast infection

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

Throughout your life, you may experience a vaginal yeast infection several times. Though uncomfortable, these infections are common. A vaginal yeast infection is a condition characterized by burning, itching, redness, and a white discharge from the vagina and vulva. These infections are caused by something that’s already in your body—a fungal body (yeast) called candida. Yeast is a type of fungus and candida is a specific type of yeast. When this yeast is balanced with the ecosystem of your body, there are no problems. But when that balance is disrupted, the yeast rapidly grows and you can get a yeast infection.

Vaginal yeast infections are also called vulvovaginal candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis. A vaginal yeast infection is actually a type of vaginitis, a condition where the vagina is swollen, painful and creates a discharge. There are several types of vaginitis—each with similar symptoms—but vaginal yeast infections are one of the most common.

How common are vaginal yeast infections?

Vaginal yeast infections are very common and happen to over 1 million women in the United States every year. These infections are the second most common cause of vaginitis.

What is candida?

It may be strange to think about, but fungus normally lives in several places within your body. One type of fungus—more specifically, yeast (a type of fungus)—that you have living in your mouth, digestive tract and vagina is candida. Normally, candida doesn’t cause a problem. It is supposed to be in your body. However, there is a careful balancing act constantly happening within your body and when it tilts one way or another, you may become sick.

There are several conditions you can develop when candida goes out of balance. If you develop a lot of the fungus in your mouth, it’s called thrush. If it develops in your vagina, it’s a vaginal yeast infection.

Why do vaginal yeast infections happen?

The loss of chemical balance in your vagina can cause candida to multiply. This can happen for a lot of reasons, including:

  • When you take an antibiotic medication that’s treating an infection of any type—a urinary tract infection (UTI) is one example. While treating this infection, good bacteria in the vagina is killed. This good bacteria was responsible for keeping the yeast in check. Without it, the balance is thrown off, leading to a yeast infection.
  • During pregnancy and while using hormonal contraceptives (birth control). Your hormones can be all over the charts during pregnancy. This change in your hormones can disrupt the balance of candida in the vagina.
  • If you have diabetes. When you have diabetes, there is too much sugar in your urine and the vagina is impacted by this surplus of sugar.
  • Having a weakened immune system. If you have a disease, like HIV or AIDS, your medications can suppress your immune system.

What are the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection?

There are several tell-tale signs of a vaginal yeast infection. These symptoms can include:

  • An itchy sensation in the vagina and vulva.
  • A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese.
  • Redness and swelling of the vagina and vulva.
  • Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of the vulva because of friable skin in the area.
  • A burning feeling when you urinate.

In some cases, another symptom of a vaginal yeast infection can be pain during sex.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/26/2019.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaginal Candidiasis. Accessed 10/28/2019.
  • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Vaginitis. Accessed 10/28/2019.
  • US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health. Vaginal Yeast Infections. Accessed 10/28/2019.

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