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.
Complications of untreated yeast infections
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.
A lack of regular hygiene practices, such as daily showers and brushing your teeth, or a constantly damp environment can also lead to chronic yeast infections. You're also at risk of recurring yeast infections if you have a weakened immune system.
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.
Invasive candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Unlike Candida infections in the mouth and throat (also called “thrush”) or vaginal “yeast infections,” invasive candidiasis is a serious infection that can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body.
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.
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.
Recurrent yeast infections, however, are rarely ever “cured.” Curing the fungal infection completely is nearly impossible, and most women with this condition aim instead for mycologic control. This usually takes more than a single course of oral fluconazole—normally 3 doses—or up to 2 weeks of topical treatment.
A study published in the journal PLOS One found that people who frequently chowed down on simple carbs were more prone to getting yeast infections. For starters, white bread, pasta, and the like quickly convert to sugar in your body. But alcohol, bread, and certain cheeses also contain yeast.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
So, if you're suffering from a vaginal itching, burning or abnormal discharge that isn't relieved by oral or topical anti-fungals, seek professional help. You should have swabs taken to rule out other infections or conditions and to decide on the most appropriate method of management.
Canesten® Thrush Oral Capsule is a convenient and effective treatment for yeast infections. The oral capsule contains an effective antifungal agent that treats the cause of thrush in both women and men. The treatment is easy to use at home or on the go and irritating symptoms should begin to disappear within 2 days.
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.
As a rule, showers are better than baths when you're in the process of treating a yeast infection. If you do take a sitz bath with Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, boric acid, or any other home remedy while you're treating your yeast infection, don't soak for more than 10 minutes at a time.
Warm, damp towels are an ideal environment for microbial growth, including bacteria, mold and yeast.
Other yeast infection causes are due to excess irritation or moisture in the vaginal area. "These types of yeast infection causes can be controlled by practicing good feminine hygiene and taking some simple steps to avoid creating an environment that yeast likes to grow in," Krikorian says.
The yeast gets into your bloodstream and spreads to other areas, such as your eyes, heart, brain and kidneys. It's a common healthcare-associated infection and can cause life-threatening complications. Some people have a higher risk of infection, such as those in the ICU.
Actually, they smell different. Usually, a yeast infection will make the vagina smell like a loaf of sourdough. BV, on the other hand, usually causes a fishy odor.