Why should yeast infections be diagnosed and treated promptly. What are the potential complications of untreated yeast infections. How can you differentiate between a yeast infection and other vaginal conditions. When should you seek medical attention for yeast infection symptoms.

Understanding Yeast Infections: Causes and Symptoms

Vaginal yeast infections, also known as vaginal candidiasis, are common fungal infections that affect many women at some point in their lives. These infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of yeast naturally present in the vaginal flora. When the balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is disrupted, it can lead to an infection.

Common symptoms of yeast infections include:

• Thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge
• Itching and irritation in the vagina and vulva
• Redness and swelling of the vulva
• Burning sensation during urination or intercourse
• Soreness and rash in the vaginal area

The Risks of Ignoring Yeast Infections

Many women may be tempted to ignore the symptoms of a yeast infection, hoping it will resolve on its own. However, this approach can lead to various complications and health risks.

Worsening Symptoms and Discomfort

Can untreated yeast infections become more severe? Yes, without proper treatment, the symptoms of a yeast infection can intensify. The itching may become more pronounced, leading to increased scratching and potential skin damage. The inflammation and redness can spread, causing more discomfort and pain in the vaginal area.

Skin Infections and Complications

As the infection progresses, the inflamed skin around the vagina may crack or develop open sores due to constant scratching. These breaks in the skin can serve as entry points for bacteria, potentially leading to secondary skin infections.

Systemic Health Issues

In rare cases, untreated yeast infections can lead to more serious health problems, including:

• Fatigue
• Oral thrush (yeast infection in the mouth)
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Invasive candidiasis (in severe cases)

Invasive Candidiasis: A Serious Complication

While uncommon, invasive candidiasis is a severe condition that can occur when a yeast infection spreads to other parts of the body. This typically happens in individuals with weakened immune systems or those with open wounds exposed to yeast.

Invasive candidiasis can affect various organs and systems, including:

• Bloodstream (candidemia)
• Heart
• Brain
• Bones
• Eyes

How serious is candidemia? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), candidemia is one of the most common forms of invasive candidiasis in the United States and one of the most prevalent bloodstream infections. It requires prompt medical attention and treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.

Yeast Infections During Pregnancy: Special Considerations

Pregnant women are more susceptible to yeast infections due to hormonal fluctuations. If you’re pregnant and suspect a yeast infection, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Are all yeast infection treatments safe during pregnancy? While topical antifungal treatments are generally considered safe for pregnant women, oral antifungal medications may pose risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that oral fluconazole (Diflucan) taken during the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects. Additionally, a 2016 study linked the use of oral fluconazole during pregnancy to an increased risk of miscarriage.

The Importance of Proper Diagnosis

One of the main reasons to seek medical attention for suspected yeast infections is the possibility of misdiagnosis. Many women attempt to self-diagnose and treat yeast infections, but this approach can be problematic.

How often are yeast infections misdiagnosed? According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about 66 percent of women who purchase over-the-counter yeast infection treatments don’t actually have a yeast infection. The symptoms they experience may be caused by other conditions, such as:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis)
• Allergic reactions to feminine hygiene products
• Hormonal changes
• Skin irritation from soaps or detergents

Misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment, allowing the actual underlying condition to worsen. This underscores the importance of seeking professional medical advice for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While mild yeast infections may clear up on their own within a few days to a week, it’s important to know when to consult a healthcare provider. Consider seeking medical attention in the following situations:

• You’re not certain it’s a yeast infection
• Symptoms persist after a week of self-treatment
• You experience recurrent yeast infections (four or more in a year)
• You’re pregnant
• You have diabetes or a weakened immune system
• You develop additional symptoms like fever, foul-smelling discharge, or abdominal pain

A healthcare provider can perform tests to confirm the diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment, which may include stronger antifungal medications if necessary.

Treatment Options for Yeast Infections

Once properly diagnosed, yeast infections can be effectively treated with various antifungal medications. Treatment options include:

Over-the-Counter Treatments

• Miconazole (Monistat)
• Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin)
• Tioconazole (Vagistat)

These are available as creams, suppositories, or tablets and are typically used for 1 to 7 days, depending on the product and severity of the infection.

Prescription Medications

• Fluconazole (Diflucan) – oral tablet
• Terconazole – vaginal cream or suppositories

Prescription treatments may be necessary for more severe or recurrent infections.

How long does it take for a yeast infection to clear up with treatment? Mild to moderate yeast infections typically resolve within a few days to two weeks with proper treatment. More severe infections may take up to three weeks to clear completely.

Preventing Recurrent Yeast Infections

While yeast infections are common, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing them:

• Wear breathable, cotton underwear
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing
• Change out of wet swimsuits or workout clothes promptly
• Avoid douching and scented feminine hygiene products
• Maintain good hygiene, but avoid overwashing the vaginal area
• Use unscented, gentle soaps
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
• Consider probiotics to maintain vaginal health

If you experience recurrent yeast infections, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider. Recurrent infections may indicate an underlying health condition or hormonal imbalance that requires further investigation and treatment.

In conclusion, while yeast infections are common and often considered a minor health issue, it’s crucial not to ignore their symptoms or attempt to treat them without proper diagnosis. Seeking timely medical attention ensures accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and prevention of potential complications. By understanding the risks associated with untreated yeast infections and knowing when to seek help, you can maintain your vaginal health and overall well-being.

Why It Should Be Diagnosed and Treated

Without treatment, a yeast infection could become more serious. There’s a chance that it could resolve on its own, but it could also worsen.

A vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis) is a relatively common fungal infection that causes thick, white discharge along with irritation, itchiness, and swelling of the vulva and vagina.

Keep reading to learn more about the downsides of ignoring 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.

Uncommon side effects of an untreated yeast infection include:

• fatigue
• oral thrush
• gastrointestinal problems

Invasive candidiasis

Invasive candidiasis occurs when the yeast infection affects other parts of the body, such as the:

• blood
• heart
• brain
• bones
• eyes

Invasive candidiasis is usually associated with an open sore that’s exposed to a yeast infection. It isn’t typically related to vaginal yeast infections. It can cause serious health complications if not promptly treated.

Candidemia

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), candidemia is one of the most common forms of invasive candidiasis in the United States. It’s also one of the most common bloodstream infections in the country.

Yeast infections are common during pregnancy due to fluctuating hormones. If you’re pregnant and think you may have a yeast infection, see a doctor so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Topical antifungals are safe to use during pregnancy, but you won’t be able to take oral antifungal medications.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), oral fluconazole (Diflucan) taken during the first trimester of pregnancy may cause birth defects. A 2016 study also linked the use of oral fluconazole taken during pregnancy with an increased risk of miscarriage.

A mild yeast infection is expected to clear up in a few days to a week. Moderate to severe infections may take 2 to 3 weeks.

Can yeast infections go away on their own?

There’s a possibility that a yeast infection can go away on its own. The probability varies from person to person.

If you decide not to treat the infection, however, it might get worse. There’s also the possibility that you’ve misdiagnosed your condition, and what you thought was candidiasis was a more serious problem.

According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lifetime.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicates that about 5 percent of women will experience recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). This is defined as four or more vaginal yeast infections in 1 year.

RVVC can occur in healthy women, but it’s more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems from conditions such as HIV.

According to the HHS, about 66 percent of women who buy yeast infection medicine don’t actually have a yeast infection.

The symptoms may be caused by an allergic reaction or irritation due to sensitivity to tampons, soaps, powders, or perfume. Or they may have another vaginal infection, such as:

• bacterial vaginosis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• trichomoniasis
• herpes

You should see a doctor if you’re not 100 percent sure that you have a yeast infection. They may diagnose you with a yeast infection, or they may discover a more serious condition.

If you’re treating what you think is a yeast infection without doctor diagnosis and it doesn’t clear up in a week or two, see a doctor. The medication you’re using may not be strong enough, or you may not have a yeast infection.

You should also visit a doctor if the infection returns in a couple of months. Having more than one yeast infection in a year could be an indication of an underlying medical condition.

Don’t put off seeing a doctor if your symptoms include:

• fever
• foul-smelling or yellow discharge
• bloody discharge
• back or stomach pain
• vomiting
• increased urination

Vaginal yeast infection should be properly diagnosed and treated. If left untreated, a yeast infection may lead to health problems, such as:

• skin infections
• fatigue
• oral thrush
• gastrointestinal problems
• invasive candidiasis

Diagnosis is a critical step, as the symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to more serious conditions, such as:

• bacterial vaginosis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea

How Long Does a Yeast Infection Last? And Other Yeast Infection Questions

Until you have one, you probably don’t know much about yeast infections. They’re not something that tends to come up in conversation with family and friends, and you certainly don’t learn about them in any health class. Yet this fungal infection affects a lot of people. It’s the second most common type of vaginal infection, accounting for 1.4 million doctor’s visits in the United States every year. 

If you suspect you have a yeast infection—or worse, if you have one that seems to keep coming back—you can find relief. Read on to learn all about vaginal yeast infection, including how long a yeast infection lasts, if a yeast infection goes away on its own, how to get rid of a yeast infection, and what else you may have if it’s not a yeast infection.

What Is a Yeast Infection?

A vaginal yeast infection (aka vulvovaginal candidiasis) is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of the candida fungus in your vaginal area. Candida albicans naturally live in the vagina and typically cause no harm. However, when anything disrupts the delicate balance of lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina, it can cause this type of fungus to multiply, leading to a yeast infection.

75% of people with vaginas get a yeast infection at some point during their lives, and some unlucky ones experience chronic or recurring yeast infections (classified as four or more yeast infections within the span of a year). You can also get yeast infections on other parts of your body, including the mouth (called thrush) and skin.

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Symptoms and Causes

It’s typically hard to overlook a vaginal yeast infection because it’s uncomfortable. Symptoms of a yeast infection include: 

• Itching or irritation of the vagina and vulva
• Thick, white, odorless vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese-like texture
• Watery discharge
• Pain or burning during urination 
• Pain during sex
• Swelling, redness, and soreness around the vulva

Many things can cause yeast infections, and some unfortunate people are more prone than others. The main yeast infection causes include:

• Genetic predisposition
• Shifts in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle
• Hormonal shifts from using oral birth control
• A weakened immune system or autoimmune condition
• Recent antibiotic use
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Improper hygiene practices such as leaving sweaty or wet clothes on all day

How Long Does a Yeast Infection Usually Last?

Sometimes mild yeast infections will go away on their own within a few days. But most times, yeast infections get worse without treatment. So as soon as you start noticing symptoms, your best bet is to contact your healthcare provider. They can diagnose you and suggest an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal treatment. Once you start taking this, your yeast infection should clear up within about a week. 

Can a Yeast Infection Go Away on Its Own?

If your yeast infection is mild, it might go away on its own. But this doesn’t always happen, and you can’t predict whether a yeast infection will resolve or worsen without treatment. Additionally, most home remedies for yeast infection are not proven to work.

If you do not properly treat a yeast infection, you risk having the infection come back a few weeks or months later. You also risk ending up with a complicated yeast infection, where your symptoms become more severe and harder to treat. 

What Happens If You Leave a Yeast Infection Untreated?

Untreated yeast infections can sometimes progress into more serious infections, leading to redness, swelling, and cracks or sores around your vagina. These severe infections are still treatable, but they are much more uncomfortable and take longer to clear up. 

To minimize your symptoms and feel better ASAP, it’s best to be proactive. Reach out to a doctor who can create a treatment plan. 

What to Do When a Yeast Infection Won’t Go Away

Certain yeast infections are more serious than others, and others can be resistant to medications typically used to treat them. 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.

How Do You Know When a Yeast Infection Is Gone?

Once your symptoms resolve and you’ve completed the duration of your treatment, your yeast infection has cleared. If your symptoms resolve before you complete the full course of treatment, keep using the medication until you have finished it as directed. (If you don’t, you may not fully clear up the infection and risk having it return. ) 

If your symptoms persist, or if you’re worried about the yeast infection recurring, talk to your doctor. 

How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection

The only foolproof way to get rid of a yeast infection is by taking a short course of antifungal medication. These are available as over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription oral pills, topical antifungal creams, and suppositories. 

OTC treatment options include the cream clotrimazole (Lotrimin) and miconazole (Monistat), which comes as a cream or suppository. The most widely used prescription treatment option is fluconazole (Diflucan), an oral medication that you take for two or three days (or longer, if your yeast infection is severe). 

If you experience chronic or recurrent yeast infections, your doctor may prescribe a longer course of medication to take for several weeks or months. This will ensure the infection clears up completely and does not return. 

Is it possible to get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours?

Many of these medications work quickly to alleviate yeast infection symptoms. Once you start an antifungal drug, you should notice relief from itching and other discomfort within 24-48 hours. If your doctor prescribed a single-dose medication, you may feel better in just one day. 

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What Could It Be If It’s Not a Yeast Infection?

Several different women’s health conditions share symptoms with yeast infections, and it’s not uncommon to mistake them for each other. 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. Antibiotics can treat UTIs. 

• Sexually transmitted infection (STI): STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes can cause itching, burning, and unusual vaginal discharge. If you notice blisters, sores, or any kind of rash around your vaginal area, it’s worth seeing a doctor, especially if you’ve recently had unprotected sex. 

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV): This bacterial infection is similar to a yeast infection in many ways, with one crucial difference: It’s caused by bacteria instead of fungus. BV is characterized by a thin gray or white discharge with a strong fishy odor (as opposed to yeast infection discharge, which is thick, white, and odorless). 

When to See a Doctor

Anytime you notice symptoms consistent with a yeast infection, it’s best to seek medical advice from a gynecologist or other provider who can diagnose you and recommend a treatment plan. As noted above, what seems like a yeast infection isn’t always a yeast infection, and your symptoms will not resolve unless you use the appropriate treatment.

How K Health Can Help

Did you know that you can get yeast infection treatment online through K Health?

We have clinicians available 24/7 to get you the care or medication that you need.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions,
and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• Vaginal Candidiasis. (2020).
  https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html

What happens if a yeast infection is not treated? – Drink-Drink

12. 07.2022 DrinkDrinkAdmin

Contents

• Complications of untreated yeast infections
  • Invasive candidiasis
  • Candidemia
• Fungal infections and pregnancy
• How long does a fungal infection last?
  • Can yeast infections go away on their own?
• How common are yeast infections?
• It may not be a yeast infection
• When to see a doctor
• Conclusion

Vaginal thrush (vaginal candidiasis) is a relatively common fungal infection that causes thick, white discharge and irritation, itching, and swelling of the vulva and vagina.

If left untreated, a yeast infection can lead to other health problems.

Continue reading to learn more about the downsides of ignoring yeast infections.

Complications of untreated yeast infections

If left untreated, vaginal candidiasis is likely to worsen, causing itching, redness, and inflammation in the area surrounding the vagina. This can lead to a skin infection if the inflamed area becomes cracked, or if constant scratching results in open or rough patches.

Unusual side effects of untreated yeast infection include:

• fatigue
• oral thrush
• gastrointestinal problems

Invasive candidiasis

Invasive candidiasis occurs when a yeast infection affects other parts of the body, such as:

• blood
• heart
• brain
• bones
• eyes

Invasive candidiasis usually associated with an open sore that is exposed to a yeast infection. It is not usually associated with vaginal yeast infections. If treatment is not started on time, it can lead to serious health complications.

Candidemia

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), candidemia is one of the most common forms of invasive candidiasis in the United States. It is also one of the most common bloodstream infections in the country.

Fungal infections and pregnancy

Yeast infections are common during pregnancy due to fluctuating hormone levels. If you are pregnant and think you have thrush, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Topical antifungals are safe to use during pregnancy, but you will not be able to take oral antifungals.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), fluconazole (Diflucan) taken by mouth during the first trimester of pregnancy may cause birth defects. A 2016 study also linked the use of oral fluconazole during pregnancy with an increased risk of miscarriage.

How long does a fungal infection last?

A mild yeast infection is expected to resolve within a few days to a week. Moderate to severe infections can take 2 to 3 weeks.

Can yeast infections go away on their own?

It is possible that a yeast infection can go away on its own. The likelihood varies from person to person.

However, if you choose not to treat the infection, it may get worse. There is also the possibility that you misdiagnosed your condition and what you thought was candidiasis was a bigger problem.

How common are yeast infections?

According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lives.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicates that about 5 percent of women will have recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). This is defined as four or more vaginal yeast infections within 1 year.

RVVC can occur in healthy women but is more common in women with diabetes or a weakened immune system due to conditions such as HIV.

It may not be a yeast infection

According to HHS, about 66 percent of women who buy medicine for a yeast infection do not actually have a yeast infection.

Symptoms may be caused by an allergic reaction or irritation due to sensitivity to tampons, soaps, powders or perfumes. Or they may have another vaginal infection, such as:

• bacterial vaginosis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea
• trichomoniasis
• herpes

When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor if you are not 100 percent sure you have thrush. They can diagnose you with a yeast infection or find a more serious condition.

If you are treating what you think is a yeast infection without a doctor’s diagnosis and it doesn’t go away in a week or two, see your doctor. The medicine you are using may not be strong enough, or you may not have a yeast infection.

You should also see a doctor if the infection returns after a couple of months. Having more than one yeast infection per year can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Seek medical attention if your symptoms include:

• fever
• foul-smelling or yellow discharge
• bloody discharge
• back or stomach pain
• vomiting
• increased urination

Conclusion

A vaginal yeast infection should be properly diagnosed and treated. If left untreated, a yeast infection can lead to health problems such as:

• skin infections
• fatigue
• oral thrush
• gastrointestinal problems
• invasive candidiasis

900 15

Diagnosis is an important step because symptoms yeast infections are similar to more serious conditions such as:

• bacterial vaginosis
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea

Health

How to Recognize and Treat Yeast Infections in Men

If neglected or treated incorrectly, a commonplace infection can lead to surgery!

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The so-called “thrush” – an infection caused by the yeast “Candida” – is considered a predominantly female ailment. Three-quarters of all adult women experience it at least once in their lifetime. However, men can also become infected with this unpleasant infection. We tell you what you need to know about candidiasis in men.

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Can men get a yeast infection?

Yes, men, like women, are quite susceptible to this infection, but because men are less likely to go to the doctor, preferring to ignore symptoms or try to treat themselves, it is difficult to determine exactly how many men catch “thrush” every year.

Candida fungi, the causative agents of infection, are present in trace amounts on the skin of every person. Generally, good bacteria provide a natural defense against them by maintaining a healthy pH level. However, in a warm and humid environment (for example, it often forms on our genitals), the yeast actively multiplies, and we experience all the “charms” of candidiasis.

In men, this infection most often leads to balanitis, a disease in which the glans penis becomes inflamed. It is important to consult a doctor immediately when the first symptoms appear – then the treatment will be easy and short, and the likelihood of a recurrence of the disease is minimal.

Symptoms of thrush in men

If you have noted all the symptoms described below or at least some of them, do not tolerate, do not wait until it goes away on its own, and even more so do not self-medicate – immediately contact a doctor.

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• Itching;
• Irritation;
• White curdled discharge;
• Swelling or swelling;
• Redness;
• Hypersensitivity;
• General pain in the groin area.

Who is at risk?

Sometimes the cause of infection can be a general decrease in immunity. But most often the cause of infection or a factor that dramatically increases its likelihood are:

Poor hygiene

The more dirt and bacteria accumulate in the groin area, the better yeast fungi feel – after all, this is their breeding ground. Thoroughly clean the groin area and pay special attention to the foreskin area, thoroughly clean every fold of skin.

Cuts, sores, and other skin lesions

Even chafing from too tight clothes or prickly heat from too warm weather can cause infection. Try to wash yourself especially carefully on warm and hot days, and disinfect all small wounds and cuts thoroughly.

Unprotected intercourse

Candidiasis, like most sexually transmitted infections, is easily transmitted to a partner through sexual contact, especially unprotected. If your partner has candidiasis, it is better to give up sexual intimacy altogether until complete recovery.

Diabetes

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your personal risk of developing thrush increases dramatically.

Antibiotics course

If you have recently taken antibiotics, you are also at increased risk: the medicine destroys the beneficial bacteria that inhibit the growth of yeast, and infection is very likely.