Doctors refer to such infections as chronic. This article outlines the potential causes of chronic yeast infections and provides information on when to see a doctor. It also lists some home remedies and medical treatments for yeast infections. A type of fungus called Candida is responsible for most yeast infections.
These fungi usually live harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes. However, certain factors can cause them to multiply out of control, causing an infection. Sometimes, the symptoms of a yeast infection may persist or recur despite a person receiving medical treatment. Below are some reasons that this may happen:.
A person who meets any of the following criteria should see their doctor about a yeast infection:. In most cases, the primary treatment for a yeast infection is an over-the-counter OTC antifungal medication. These are available in oral form or as topical creams, ointments, or suppositories. An OTC antifungal treatment should begin working within a few days.
The symptoms should slowly improve over the course of a week. Some people may experience recurrent yeast infections, which experts define as more than two yeast infections within a 6-month period. People who experience recurrent infections may need to continue taking antifungal medication for up to 6 months.
For people with a history of recurrent yeast infections, it is important to begin treating the infection as soon as it appears. This will help prevent it from getting worse. A person who suspects that they have a yeast infection should see their doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Applying a vaginal anti-itch cream may help ease the pain and itching until the treatment takes effect, but it will not cure the underlying infection.
Some home remedies that may speed up the healing or reduce the risk of contracting another infection include :. The type of medical treatment a person receives for a yeast infection will depend on whether the infection is sudden acute or persistent chronic.
An acute yeast infection is one that appears suddenly. A person who experiences such an infection may benefit from an OTC antifungal treatment. You might be approaching menopause. In the years immediately before menopause , your hormones undergo some radical changes — and according to Dr. Senapati, hormonal shifts can cause an imbalance in your vaginal bacteria, which may boost Candida growth. Rogo-Gupta says. Your disability might be a factor.
If you use a wheelchair, you are more at risk for recurring yeast infections. If you also have a problem with incontinence , you are even more likely to have yeast infections. According to information from the US National Library of Medicine, anti-fungal powders and skin-protective ointments can help women who use wheelchairs avoid yeast infections.
You might need a longer course of yeast infection treatment. Your most recent yeast infection might be nothing new — in fact, it might be your old yeast infection reappearing. Researchers at the University of Leeds in Britain in followed 48 women diagnosed with vaginal yeast infections for 12 weeks.
Although all the subjects were initially helped by medical treatment, about half had a subsequent yeast infection — and genetic testing showed that most of those women were actually experiencing a resurgence of the same infectious organism. Rogo-Gupta suggests. She says creams are messier but they go to work about 2 days faster than pills do. You might have a rare yeast infection strain. In a Iranian study of women diagnosed with yeast infections, 1 in 3 turned out to have a yeast other than Candida albicans.
The second most common yeast identified in the study was Candida glabrata , which causes less discharge than Candida albicans , Dr. The main symptoms are redness and itching, and common medications — such as fluconazole and miconazole — may not work against these less common species, she says.
See your doctor for a laboratory culture that will determine which kind of yeast is causing your infection, Dr. Rogo-Gupta recommends. Medications are available that work against rare strains. American women spend millions of dollars per year on over-the-counter medications for chronic yeast infections, Dr.
In a Medical College of Georgia study, 95 women who had purchased over-the-counter yeast infection treatments were given free medical tests; only about one-third had yeast infections. However, for some women, recurrent problems require a more specialized plan of care.
In these cases, itching can become so severe that it causes swelling and sores. Anne Martinelli. A healthy vagina contains a combination of yeast and bacteria, referred to as vaginal flora.
The bacteria help form a perfect balance by preventing the overgrowth of yeast. If for any reason this equilibrium is disrupted, it can cause a yeast infection. There are several possible causes of a yeast infection, but most are caused by a specific type of fungus called candida albicans.
Mayo Clinic. In addition, there are situations that put you at greater risk for developing a yeast infection. These include:. The main symptom of a yeast infection is an intense itching and irritation around the vulva and vaginal areas.
Other symptoms include:. In some women, particularly those with recurrent infections, the symptoms can be much more severe, causing itching and swelling so intense that it causes sores or tears.
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