Vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)

About this service

➤ Self-assessment checklist: Vaginal itch, irritation and redness with white, cottage cheese–like discharge ➤ What is a vaginal yeast infection? Yeast is a fungus that normally lives in the vagina in small numbers. A vaginal yeast infection means that too many yeast cells are growing in the vagina. These infections are very common. They may bother you a lot, but they usually aren't serious. A yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). ➤ What causes it? A healthy vagina has many bacteria and a few yeast cells. When something changes the balance of these organisms, yeast can grow too much and cause symptoms. Taking antibiotics sometimes causes this imbalance. Other causes include certain health problems, like diabetes, and high estrogen levels from pregnancy or hormone therapy. ➤ What are the symptoms? A yeast infection causes itching or soreness in the vagina. It sometimes causes pain or burning when you urinate or have sex. Some women also have a thick, clumpy, white discharge that has no odour and looks a little like cottage cheese.