1. What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Yeast Infection Quiz
3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Vaginal yeast infection facts
• What is yeast?
• What is vaginitis?
• What is vulvitis (inflammation of the vulva)?
• What causes yeast infections in men?
• What causes vaginal yeast infections?
• What may increase my risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection?
• What are vulvitis and vaginal yeast infection symptoms and signs?
• What about recurrent yeast infections?
• What other vaginal infections have similar symptoms as a yeast infection?
• When should I see a health care professional if I think I have a yeast infection?
• Can I pass a yeast infection to my sexual partner (male or female)?
• How are vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis?
• How can a yeast infection be treated if I am pregnant?
• If yeast is commonly present in normal women, who should be treated?
• Pictures of What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain - Slideshow
• Take the Yeast Infection Quiz!
• Pictures of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) - Slideshow
• Yeast Infection FAQs
• Patient Comments: Yeast Infection - Effective Treatments
• Patient Comments: Yeast Infection - Prevention
• Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town
• Yeast Vaginitis Index

In up to 5% of women, yeast vulvovaginitis may cause a recurrent problem. A recurrent yeast infection occurs when a woman has four or more infections in one year that are not related to antibiotic use. Recurrent yeast infections may be related to an underlying medical condition such as impaired immunity and may require more aggressive treatment.

Infections other than yeast can cause similar symptoms of a yeast infection and may be confused with a yeast infection. These include bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia, Trichomonas, and gonorrhea. If symptoms of a yeast infection are not eliminated by over-the-counter products, women should see their doctor for evaluation. Likewise, if a woman is not sure that her symptoms are in fact due to a yeast infection, she should seek medical advice.

It is recommended that women see a health care professional if they have symptoms of a first-time yeast infection or if you are unsure that a yeast infection is the cause of your symptoms. You should also seek medical advice if the symptoms do not go away after the use of over-the-counter products, or if symptoms worsen for any reason. Pregnant women should see a health care professional if they develop symptoms of a yeast infection. At any time, if you have severe or troubling symptoms, seeking medical care is always warranted.

Itching and irritation of the penis in men after sexual contact with an infected woman has been described. While it is theoretically possible to spread yeast among male or female sexual partners, most experts do not consider yeast infections to be sexually-transmitted diseases. Whether or not it is necessary to treat sex partners of a woman with a yeast infection has been a source of controversy, but most experts agree that it is only necessary to treat those sex partners who may develop symptoms.