A chronic, or recurrent vaginal yeast infection is one that occurs four or more times in a year. The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include: a white, odorless vaginal discharge. itching and irritation around the vagina. soreness and discomfort during sex, or when urinating.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Below are some reasons that this may happen: The medication may need more time to work: It can take up to 7 days for an antifungal medication to eradicate a yeast infection. The infection could be treatment resistant : Some yeast may be more resilient to antifungal treatment.
Redness and swelling of the vulva. Vaginal pain and soreness. Vaginal rash. Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance.
Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as well as lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory condition that is more common in postmenopausal people, can mimic symptoms of a yeast infection.
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.
When the normal balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is altered, the yeast may overgrow and cause symptoms. Some factors or conditions that can increase the risk of a yeast infection include: Certain types of antibiotics. Pregnancy and changes in the body's hormone level.
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.
See your doctor again if treatment doesn't resolve your symptoms or if your symptoms return within two months. If your symptoms are severe, or you have frequent yeast infections, your doctor might recommend: Long-course vaginal therapy.
Your immune system might not be up to par.
In fact, chronic yeast infections that don't respond to any treatment might be an early sign of HIV, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). “Women with recurrent yeast infections should be tested [for HIV],” Dr. Senapati says.
— Most yeast infections go away within a few days of starting treatment. However, you may continue to feel itchy and irritated, even after the infection is gone. If you do not get better within a few days after finishing treatment, call your doctor or nurse for advice.
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.
According to Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and director of Minimally Invasive Gynecology at The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, up to 20 percent of all yeast infections can have no symptoms.
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.