Skip left navigation

Home > A-Z Health Topics > HIV/AIDS > Opportunistic infections and other conditions > Vaginal yeast infections

Vaginal yeast infections

• More information on vaginal yeast infections

A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes a thick white coating in your vulva and vagina. It is also called vaginal candidiasis (kan-dih-DEYE-uh-suhss). Recurring yeast infections (at least four times a year) are a common symptom of HIV in women. In many women, these frequent infections may be the first sign of having HIV.

Yeast infections happen when candida, a fungus that is normally found in the body, grows too much in these areas. It also can happen in your mouth and throat. This is called thrush. Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include a thick, white discharge, pain during sex, pain when you pass urine, and vaginal burning and soreness. It is usually treated with creams or suppositories, which you can buy in the drug store or get from your doctor. If this treatment doesn't work, other drugs are used to treat the infection. Vaginal yeast infections are common and easily treated in most women, but happen more often and are harder to treat in women with HIV.

Tips to prevent vaginal yeast infections:

• Don't use feminine products such as douches, perfumed sprays, and powders
• Wear cotton underpants and pantyhose with a cotton crotch
• Use pads and not tampons
• Eat yogurt with live cultures if you're taking antibiotics

Return to top

More information on vaginal yeast infections

Read more from womenshealth.gov

• Vaginal Yeast Infections Fact Sheet — This fact sheet answers common questions about vaginal yeast infections, including its causes and symptoms, how an infection is diagnosed, and treatment and prevention methods.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/vaginal-yeast-infections.cfm

Explore other publications and websites

• Candidiasis — This publication gives information on the different types of this common fungal infection, including vaginal yeast infections, symptoms, how they are treated, the pros and cons of different treatments, and possible health complications from not getting treatment.
  http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/candidiasis/index.html
• Systemic Candidiasis and HIV Disease (Copyright © Project Inform) — Systemic candidiasis occurs when the fungal infection spreads throughout the body. This publication explains the danger of systemic candidiasis for people with HIV, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, what the available treatments are, and what other complications may arise.
  http://www.projectinform.org/publications/candidas/
• Vaginal Candidiasis and HIV Disease (Copyright © Project Inform) — This publication gives information on vaginal yeast infections in HIV/AIDS patients. It explains the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of vaginal yeast infections.
  http://www.projectinform.org/publications/candidav/

Content last updated July 1, 2011.

Resources last updated July 1, 2011.

Email Print

Return to top