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.
A long-term yeast infection can result in a lowered immune system and increase the chance that the yeast infection can spread to other parts of the body. Some rare side effects of an untreated yeast infection include headaches, mood swings, mouth problems (thrush), fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems.
Some women are genetically prone to yeast infections. Other women may get them from taking antibiotics for other infections. Other women may get them from taking antibiotics for other infections or if they have certain medical conditions such as diabetes.
So if your yeast infection isn't going away on its own or with over-the-counter treatment, see a gynecologist or other healthcare provider. You might need further testing and a secondary course of prescription antifungal medication.
Taking an antifungal medication for three to seven days will usually clear a yeast infection. Antifungal medications — which are available as creams, ointments, tablets and suppositories — include miconazole (Monistat 3) and terconazole.
Recurrent vaginal yeast infections are usually treated with several doses of an oral pill or with vaginal medicine for a longer amount of time. This first treatment may be followed by up to 6 months of maintenance therapy. This could be oral or vaginal medicines.
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.
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.
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.
Burke suggests several potential reasons: The infection may be incompletely treated, or not treated long enough. If you don't feel better after your first treatment, you may need a longer course or you may have a less common species of yeast that doesn't respond to standard medication.
The best treatment to get rid of most yeast infections comes down to medicated creams or a pill. Studies show that these creams and the oral pill, fluconazole, both work more than 90% of the time. Uncomplicated yeast infections usually respond to treatment within a couple of days.
Redness and swelling of the vulva. Vaginal pain and soreness. Vaginal rash. Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance.
A yeast infection causes burning, itching, redness in your vulva (the outside parts of your vagina) and changes to your vaginal discharge. A yeast infection isn't a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Other names for a vaginal yeast infection include vulvovaginal candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis.
Douching. Your vagina is self-cleaning. "When a woman douches, she is negatively altering the delicate balance of yeast and bacteria in the vagina. This is a set-up for either the development of a yeast infection or worsening of an existing infection," says Millheiser.
Other than itching and being dried out, it can lead to or exaggerate yeast infections. The vagina is a delicate ecosystem and if something as serious as dehydration throws it off, the PH balance can be thrown off and a domino effect of complications can be set into motion.
A weakened immune system.
Having a compromised immune system can make it more difficult to fight off infection. Women who take corticosteroids for asthma or a TNF inhibitor for autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease, are more likely to develop an overgrowth of yeast.
When there is an imbalance and yeast overgrows, it can cause a yeast infection. The stages of yeast infections may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
The most common causes of unpleasant vaginal odor are: Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An infection that's caused by an imbalance in your vagina's flora. BV is responsible for the fishy smell most commonly associated with unpleasant vaginal odors. The fishy smell may be especially strong after sex.
Water is one of the most powerful remedies to combat a yeast infection. Though there are several cures for combating yeast infection, water remains the best remedy. Yeast feeds on the sugar present in your body and leads to infections.