Yeast Infections: What You Need to Know Right Now

If you suspect a yeast infection, you want straight answers and easy steps. Yeast infections are common and usually caused by Candida, a fungus that lives on skin and in the gut. They often affect the vagina, mouth, or skin folds. Symptoms are usually obvious and treatable, but knowing what to try first and when to see a doctor makes a big difference.

Symptoms and Causes

Typical signs of a vaginal yeast infection include thick white discharge that looks like cottage cheese, intense itching, burning, and redness around the vulva. You may also feel pain during sex or when peeing. Oral thrush shows white patches in the mouth. Skin yeast infections appear as red, itchy rashes in warm, moist areas.

Common triggers: recent antibiotic use, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, a weakened immune system, tight or non-breathable clothing, and high-sugar diets. Hormone changes and certain birth control methods can also make Candida flare up.

One useful tip: vaginal pH usually stays below 4.5 with a yeast infection. If your pH is higher, it could be bacterial vaginosis or another issue, and the treatment will be different.

Treatment and Prevention

Start with over-the-counter antifungal creams or suppositories like miconazole or clotrimazole. Short courses (1–3 days) work for many women; 7-day regimens are common for more severe symptoms. A single oral dose of fluconazole (150 mg) often fixes things fast, but always check with a healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or on other medications.

Probiotics can help restore balance. Saccharomyces boulardii and some Lactobacillus strains support gut and vaginal flora. They don’t replace antifungals but can reduce recurrence when used alongside other measures.

Prevention is mostly practical: wear cotton underwear, avoid tight synthetic pants, skip douching and scented products, and keep sugar intake reasonable. After swimming or exercise, change out of wet clothes promptly. If you take antibiotics, consider discussing a short probiotic with your provider.

See a doctor if this is your first episode, symptoms are severe, you have a fever, the infection keeps coming back (more than four times a year), or OTC treatments don’t help within a week. Your clinician may take a swab to confirm Candida and rule out other causes.

Knowing the basics makes handling a yeast infection less stressful. Most cases clear with simple treatment and small lifestyle tweaks. If things feel off or keep repeating, get tested—there’s usually a straightforward fix.