Vaginal candidiasis is a type of yeast infection in the vagina that is caused by the Candida fungus.
Vaginal yeast infections are common in women, but yeast infections may also affect the mouth, gut, penis, anus, and other parts of the body. Vaginal yeast infections are also known as candidiasis or vaginal thrush.
What Causes Vaginal Candidiasis?
The yeast, Candida Albicans, is the most common cause of vaginal candidiasis. Yeasts are a type of fungus.
Vaginal yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast within the vagina, and are very common, affecting around 75% of women at least once in their lifetime. A healthy vagina contains bacteria and some yeast cells, but a disruption in the balance of yeast and bacteria causes an overgrowth of yeast cells and symptoms of vaginal thrush.
Factors that may cause a disruption in the balance of bacteria and yeast include:
Pregnancy
Antibiotic use
A weakened immune system
Uncontrolled diabetes
High-dose estrogen birth control
Using vaginal douches or vaginal sprays
Wearing tight underwear and synthetic clothes that don’t breathe.
Although vaginal yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted infection, sexual intercourse can trigger or spread them. Women who aren’t sexually active can also get them. Some women are prone to yeast infections and get them relatively regularly.
What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Candidiasis?
Symptoms of a vaginal candidiasis range may include:
Intense itching or irritation around the genital area
A burning sensation, especially during intercourse or while urinating
A thick, white, odor-free, discharge (may resemble cottage cheese).
How do you Treat Vaginal Candidiasis?
Treatment of vaginal candidiasis usually involves topical or oral antifungals, such as butoconazole, clotrimazole or fluconazole. Symptoms usually resolve quickly, although in more severe cases treatment may be needed for up to two weeks.
How can you Prevent Vaginal Candidiasis?
Eating natural, unsweetened yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus may help prevent yeast infections occurring.
The risk of yeast infections may also be lessened by staying hydrated and urinating when the need arises, not holding it in.
Women should wipe from front to back after a bowel movement, urinate before and after sex, and avoiding using douches, vaginal sprays, and scented feminine hygiene products.
They should also avoid wearing restrictive, synthetic clothing, or change out of such clothing as soon as possible after exercising or swimming.
Drugs used to treat Vaginal Yeast Infection
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Alternative treatments for Vaginal Yeast Infection
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Vaginal Yeast Infection. Their efficacy
may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical,
cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Vaginal Yeast Infection.
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx
Prescription only.
OTC
Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC
Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access
Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U
CSA Schedule is unknown.
N
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X
Interacts with Alcohol.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
