Yeast Infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, are fungal infections that can affect various parts of the body, including the mouth, throat, skin, and genital areas.

Yeast Infections FAQ

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What is the medical name for a yeast infection?

The medical name for a yeast infection is "candidiasis," because they’re usually caused by a type of yeast called candida. If your vaginal chemistry gets thrown off balance, the normal yeast that live in your vagina can grow too much and lead to an infection. Some things that can cause changes in your vagina’s environment are:

Do you have a yeast infection?

Most healthy vaginas have yeast. But sometimes your yeast grows too much and leads to an infection. Yeast infections can be very irritating and uncomfortable. Think you may have a yeast infection? What causes yeast infections?

When do yeast infections occur?

Vaginal yeast infections typically occur during childbearing age years, rarely before puberty or after menopause. People over age 65 years old may be more at risk for invasive (systemic) candidiasis and fungal infections.

What are the symptoms of a yeast infection?

The overgrowth of yeast causes inflammation, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as itching, burning, or abnormal discharge. Vaginal yeast infections are the most common type, but yeast infections can occur in other places, such as the mouth and penis.

What happens if you get 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.