Yeast infections are very common and usually very treatable. In some cases, they can stick around or keep coming back. If you have a yeast infection that just won't go away, even after treatment, follow up with a healthcare provider to make sure it's actually a yeast infection and not something else.
If left untreated, vaginal candidiasis will most likely get worse, causing itching, redness, and inflammation in the area surrounding your vagina. This may lead to a skin infection if the inflamed area becomes cracked, or if continual scratching creates open or raw areas.
Untreated yeast infections do not have long-term consequences, such as infertility or scarring. They tend to be uncomfortable, and can cause discharge and burning, but they do not cause permanent damage.
In fact, around 75% of women will experience at least one yeast infection during their lifetime. Yeast infections typically go away following treatment with antifungal medications. However, some infections may persist or recur despite treatment. Doctors refer to such infections as chronic.
If your yeast infection doesn't clear up with antifungal medication, you might have something else, such as a: Urinary tract infection (UTI): This occurs when bad bacteria multiply in your urinary tract, triggering symptoms such as a burning when you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, pain during sex, and abdominal pain.
If your symptoms don't resolve within a week or two, see your doctor. The treatment you choose may not have been strong enough to clear the infection, and another therapy may be necessary. You should also see your doctor if the infection returns within two months. Recurrent yeast infections aren't uncommon.
If your untreated yeast infection is allowed to persist for too long, complications that require medical attention can occur. These include painful sores, infertility, or even a potentially deadly bloodstream infection. Yeast (Candida) naturally lives on your skin, along with a variety of bacteria and fungi.
A yeast infection is considered chronic when it occurs at least four times in the span of one year. You may also hear this called a recurring yeast infection, complicated yeast infection, or recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.
If I Get a Yeast Infection, When Will It Go Away? Mild yeast infections may clear up in as few as three days. Sometimes, they don't even require treatment. However, moderate to severe infections may take one to two weeks to clear.
When the normal balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is altered, the yeast may overgrow and cause symptoms. Some factors or conditions that can increase the risk of a yeast infection include: Certain types of antibiotics. Pregnancy and changes in the body's hormone level.
Yeast infections can be uncomfortable, but they're usually not serious. You may have itching or irritation in or around your vagina, as well as a thick, white discharge. In many cases, an antifungal treatment will clear up your symptoms.
With yeast infections, discharge is usually thick, white, and odorless. You may also have a white coating in and around your vagina. With bacterial vaginosis, you may have vaginal discharge that's grayish, foamy, and smells fishy. (But it's also common for BV to have no symptoms.)
Tips for identification
BV and yeast infections can both cause unusual vaginal discharge. Discharge from a yeast infection is usually a thick, white consistency and doesn't have a scent. Discharge from BV is thin, yellow or gray, and carries a strong unpleasant odor.
Thrush is a vaginal yeast infection caused by excessive growth of natural yeast-like fungus, called candida albicans. If you've noticed vaginal irritation and inflammation or a change in your discharge (cottage cheese-like white discharge), you may have a yeast infection.
Yeasts are a type of fungus. A type of yeast called Candida normally lives on the mucous membranes of your mouth and throat. Usually, this yeast grows only in small numbers and is harmless. But under certain circumstances, the Candida fungus can grow out of control and cause thrush.
There may be an odor, such as a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex. Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva to become itchy and red.
How long does vaginitis last? With proper treatment, 90% of vaginal infections go away within two weeks or less depending on the type. Untreated vaginal infections can last with or without symptoms for years.
To test for: A vaginal yeast infection - Your provider will perform a pelvic exam and take a sample of the discharge from your vagina. Thrush - Your provider will look at the infected area in the mouth and may scrape some cells to examine under the microscope.
What causes vaginitis? Bacteria, yeast, viruses, chemicals in creams or sprays, and even clothing can cause vaginitis. Sometimes, it occurs from organisms that are passed between sexual partners. Also, a number of different factors can affect the health of your vagina.
Yeast infections often cause thick, white, clumpy vaginal discharge that usually doesn't smell (or only smells slightly different than normal). You might also have a creamy, whitish coating in and around your vagina. Most yeast infections lead to itching, burning, and/or redness in or around the vagina.