Yeast infections are a super common cause of vaginal discomfort and discharge. Yeast infections come from an overgrowth of candida, which is yeast.
Yeast infections most commonly cause significant itching on the vulva and in the vagina as well as thick white clumpy discharge. This discharge is commonly referred to as cottage cheese-like discharge. For many patients, the itching is much worse at night.
Yeast infections can show up out of the blue and get really uncomfortable really fast.
Causes of Yeast Infections
Yeast infections have many causes. Yeast loves warm, wet environments like sweaty exercise clothes or bathing suits. It can come from wearing tight clothing, polyester underwear, or thongs. It can also come from uncontrolled diabetes.
Yeast infections can come from sex but they are not considered a sexually transmitted infection.
Treatment Options
Treatment for yeast can be a pill or a cream. If you choose the pill, it is one pill on the first day and then another pill 3 days later. The cream is 7 days at night. Each one is effective and up to your preference. Sometimes we use both together if the yeast infection is bad on the vulva as well.
Prevention Tips
It’s important to keep the vulva as dry as possible. This means drying off really well after the shower, even using a cool hairdryer to ensure the vulva is dry. Wear white cotton underwear, no thongs, and loose clothing. Change out of your exercise clothes as soon as possible and do not sit in wet swimsuits for long periods.
If you feel like you have yeast infections frequently, it can be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms to help identify what could be causing the infection.
Yeast Infection Care in Greensboro and Across North Carolina
Haven Health provides evaluation and treatment for yeast infections in Greensboro, North Carolina and by telehealth across the state.
Patients often try over-the-counter treatments without relief before seeking care. Haven Health helps determine if symptoms are truly from yeast or another cause of vaginal discomfort to ensure you receive the correct treatment quickly.
Patients from Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Kernersville, and surrounding Guilford County communities trust Haven Health for compassionate vaginal and reproductive care.
If you live anywhere in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Asheville, Wilmington, or anywhere in NC, you can meet with a provider virtually and have lab testing completed at a lab near you if needed.
Haven Health offers evidence-based, stigma-free care both in person and online across North Carolina.