In this Article

• What is yeast?
• What is vaginitis?
• What is vulvitis (inflammation of the vulva)?
• What causes vaginal yeast infections?
• What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis?
• How are vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis?
• If yeast is commonly present in normal women, who should be treated?
• Vaginal Yeast Infection At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Yeast Infection - Effective Treatments
• Yeast Vaginitis Glossary
• Yeast Vaginitis Index

If yeast is commonly present in normal women, who should be treated?

All women with the symptoms of infection described above should be treated. Women without symptoms should not be treated. Most experts do not recommend treating the sex partners of women with yeast vaginitis if they do not have symptoms themselves, although this has been a controversial issue.

Vaginal Yeast Infection At A Glance

• Yeast vaginitis is an infection of the vagina caused by a fungus known as Candida.
  
  
• Yeast vaginitis is characterized by itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and/or urination, and vaginal discharge.
  
  
• Yeast vaginitis can be treated with antifungal medications applied to the affected area or taken by mouth.
  
  
• Candida may be normally present in small amounts in some women and not cause disease.
  
  
• The presence of Candida without symptoms of infection does not require treatment.

Reference: New England Journal of Medicine 2006;355:1244-52.

Yeast Infection - Effective Treatments

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

What kinds of treatments have been effective for your yeast infection?

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 21 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives) - Read about the different types of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) such as monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic. Find out which birth control pill may be the best for you.
• Pap Smear - Read about Pap smear, a test to screen for cervical cancer, and precancerous changes in the cervix. Risk factors for abnormal Pap include HPV, smoking medicaitons, and a weakened immune system.
• Bacterial Vaginosis - Learn about bacterial vaginosis, an infection which symptoms include an odorous vaginal discharge. The vaginal odor may be fish like, and grey in color. Treatment is necessary with antibiotics.

Read more Yeast Vaginitis related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Gene Variants Behind Vulnerability to Yeast Infections
• Health Tip: Help Prevent Yeast Infections
• Health Tip: Signs of a Yeast Infection