{"id":55857,"date":"2022-12-20T23:38:52","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T04:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=55857"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:59:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:59:04","slug":"yeast-infection-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/yeast-infection-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes yeast infection?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yeast infections can be uncomfortable with persistent, bothersome symptoms. However, these types of infections are quite common, with almost <\/span>70%<\/span><\/a> of women experiencing a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. A small percentage of women who experience a vaginal yeast infection will experience recurrent yeast infections, which can occur multiple times throughout the year. <\/span><\/p>\n

But how do you get yeast infections, and why are they so common? In this article, we’ll go over the different yeast infection causes and risk factors, many of which can be prevented. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is a vaginal yeast infection?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A vaginal yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis, is a common condition that affects many women. It can develop when there is an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a fungus that normally lives on the skin and inside the body, including the vagina.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the balance between the good and bad bacteria in the vagina gets thrown off due to factors like stress or hormonal changes, an imbalance in vaginal flora can occur that allows Candida albicans to grow out of control. This imbalance can lead to a yeast infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

A vaginal yeast infection looks like a thick white discharge that may be accompanied by itching and burning. Some women experience pain during urination or sexual intercourse when they have a yeast infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>The Office on Women’s Health<\/span><\/a> (OWH), Yeast infections are not considered STIs because they do not spread from one person to another. However, it’s possible to get a yeast infection after having sex because semen can alter the vaginal environment and allow the fungus to grow quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vaginal yeast infection symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include itching, soreness, burning, swelling, redness of the vulva, and white discharge from the vagina. These symptoms are usually present during the first few days after the infection begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

If left untreated, this condition can cause pain during sex and urination as well as swelling of the clitoris and vagina, which can make sex difficult or impossible to perform.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following are possible symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection:<\/span><\/p>\n