Dear Doctor,
I’m hoping you can help me understand what’s going on. It feels like every time I finish my period—or sometimes after having sex—I end up with yet another yeast infection. It’s really frustrating and uncomfortable. I am always worried about the smell, and it’s embarrassing to think I keep having the same problem, no matter how clean I am.
Why do I keep getting yeast infections, and what can I do to prevent them? I’m tired of feeling like it’s just part of my monthly routine!
Sincerely,
Confused, Itchy, and Uncomfortable
Dear Confused, Itchy, and Uncomfortable,
Yeast infections are never fun. They’re uncomfortable, itchy, and sometimes painful. While yeast infections can be embarrassing, what you’re experiencing is more common than you might think, and you’re definitely not alone. About 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, and many will have more than one.
Yeast infections happen when there’s an overgrowth of a fungus called candida, which naturally lives in small amounts in the vagina. When the delicate balance of bacteria and yeast gets disrupted, due to things like hormonal changes after your period, penetrative sex, taking antibiotics, pregnancy, or even certain health conditions like diabetes. Common symptoms include itching, burning, or unusual, chunky white discharge.
What Are Chronic Yeast Infections?
When yeast infections keep coming back, we call them recurrent or chronic yeast infections, which usually means having four or more in one year. Recurrent yeast infections may have several causes:
Failure to completely clear a past yeast infection
Hormonal imbalances
Douching
Genetics
Chronic stress
A compromised immune system, usually due to another condition like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Whatever the underlying cause, in these cases, it’s essential to go beyond typical over-the-counter treatments. We often recommend a longer-term antifungal therapy plan, sometimes followed by a maintenance dose to help prevent future infections.
You can also make a few lifestyle adjustments that can help:
Stay away from tight, synthetic underwear that can trap moisture. Opt for breathable cotton whenever possible
Ensure any sexual partners get tested for yeast–men can absolutely have yeast and may be unknowingly re-infecting their female partner
Do NOT douche. Ever. The vagina cleans itself perfectly well and you can actually harm the delicate Ph balance
Avoid using heavily scented soaps or creams in or near your vagina
Consider cutting down on sugar–there is significant clinical evidence of a link between high blood sugar and yeast infections. The bacteria that causes yeast infections, Candida Albicans, also feeds on sugar
The first step is getting an accurate diagnosis, so we can make sure it’s actually a yeast infection and not something else causing similar symptoms. We usually conduct a simple physical exam or collect a sample to send to a lab for confirmation. From there, we can develop a personalized treatment plan to help break the cycle and get you back to feeling your best.
If you’re ready, I encourage you to request an appointment with your Genesis provider today so we can get you on the path to relief!
Wishing you health and wellness,
Dr. Christopher Sullivan
Christopher Sullivan, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified gynecologist practicing at Genesis OB/GYN in Tucson, AZ.
