Candida is a yeast (a type of fungus) that commonly occurs on the skin and in the body, including the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina.
According to a 2022 review, candida colonizes the vagina of up to 20 percent of all women without causing symptoms, increasing to 30 percent during pregnancy.
Yeast infections become even more common during pregnancy as the body changes and vaginal excretions contain more sugar, which feeds candida.
But if the vagina’s community of candida yeast (especially
Candida albicans) grows too much or too rapidly, a vaginal yeast infection may develop. These infections, also known as vaginal or
vulvovaginal candidiasis, typically cause a number of noticeable symptoms. These symptoms are the same for pregnant and nonpregnant women.
Many women with a vaginal yeast infection don’t experience any symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they might include:
- Itching in the vaginal area and around the opening of the vagina, or vulva
- Burning in the vaginal area, often during sex or while peeing
- Swelling of the vulva
- Redness around the vulva, although this might be harder to spot on darker skin tones
- Thick, cottage-cheese-like discharge, which might be white or gray and thick without a distinctive odor, or greenish or yellowish with a smell like yeast or bread
Most vaginal yeast infections do not produce a strong
vaginal odor. Fishy vaginal odors are more common with a bacterial infection of the vagina known as bacterial vaginosis.
Severe yeast infections may also cause redness and tears or cracks (fissures) in the wall of the vulva or vagina. This may present as sharp discomfort and vulvar or vaginal spotting or bleeding.
Young girls can develop vaginal yeast infections from hot weather, delayed diaper or underwear changes, delayed hygiene, certain medications such as antibiotics, or a compromised immune system. However, the symptoms in children are similar to those in adults, including:
- Yellow or white vaginal discharge
- Itchiness
- Redness on the vulva
- A burning sensation
Doctors generally separate the types of vaginal yeast infection by the species of candida that’s causing them. The most common species include:
- Candida albicans
- Candida glabrata
- Candida parapsilosis
- Candida tropicalis
- Candida krusei
- Candida auris, a rapidly spreading form that emerged in 2009 in healthcare settings
Candida albicans is the most common cause of vulvovaginal yeast infections, and clinicians typically regard it as uncomplicated. That means it will likely respond to a short course of antifungal cream.
If a non-
albicans candida species, including
Candida glabrata, is responsible for your vaginal yeast infection, it may cause a “complicated” infection. That means that the infection may be more likely to cause severe symptoms, respond less to treatment, or require a longer course of medications.
Symptoms of complicated vaginal yeast include:
- Severe redness, swelling, or itching
- Painful vaginal sores, cracks, or tears
- At least four vaginal yeast infections within 12 months
Your vaginal yeast infection might be complicated if you’re pregnant, living with poorly managed diabetes, or have a condition like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that reduces the effectiveness of your immune system.
When to See a Doctor
If you’ve had a physician-diagnosed vaginal yeast infection in the past and feel certain that your latest symptoms are due to the same cause, you can ask your doctor about self-treatment with an over-the-counter medication.
However, if the symptoms recur, don’t improve, or differ from previous yeast infections, consulting a healthcare professional may help you find a solution. That’s because many common vaginal yeast infection symptoms may also occur due to several other factors, including:
- Herpes
- A urinary tract infection
- Bacterial vaginosis
- A sexually transmitted infection
You can also have similar symptoms with vaginal atrophy or lichen planus of the vulva or vagina, among other possible chronic issues.
A doctor may need to test for these alternative causes.
If you have these symptoms and do not have a history of recurrent yeast infections, consult your physician for evaluation, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment for these other potential issues.
