STI Series
HealthLink BC File #08j, September 2011
Vaginal Yeast Infection
- What is a vaginal yeast infection?
- What are the symptoms?
- How is vaginal yeast infection treated?
- Should I be tested for other sexually transmitted infections?
- Ways to reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection
EnglishWhat is a vaginal yeast infection?
A vaginal yeast infection is a common infection caused by the overgrowth of yeast in the vagina.
Yeast infections are caused by the overgrowth of certain yeast that normally lives in the vagina. This overgrowth can be caused by many factors including:
- taking antibiotics or corticosteroids
- taking birth control pills
- pregnancy
- poorly controlled diabetes,
Yeast infections are not usually transmitted during sex.
What are the symptoms?
In women, the vagina may become very itchy and sore. Sometimes a cottage cheese-like discharge will appear. The vagina may become red and dry, which could make sexual intercourse painful.
In men, there are generally no symptoms, but a rash may appear on the penis.
How is a vaginal yeast infection treated?
There are a number of ways to treat yeast infections. Treatment options include pills or creams, and ointments or tablets that are inserted into the vagina. Some treatments require a prescription and others can be bought off the shelf at the pharmacy.
Other vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may cause symptoms similar to a vaginal yeast infection. If you are unsure if you have a yeast infection, first check with your health care provider before treating yourself.
Women who repeatedly get yeast infections should see their doctor. This can occasionally be a sign of another disease.
Should I be tested for other sexually transmitted infections?
If you have different sexual partners or if your partner has different partners, you should be tested for other sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV. The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting an STI. You should also consider getting vaccine shots to help prevent hepatitis B infection, which is also transmitted sexually and through sharing needles or drug-using equipment.
Ways to reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection
- The more partners you have, the more likely you are to be exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.
- To help protect yourself and your partner(s) from a sexually transmitted infection (STI), use a condom during any vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- Latex and polyurethane male and female condoms help prevent the spread of many sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
- A new condom must be used each time you have sex.
- If a condom breaks, a pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection may occur. If a condom breaks during sex and you are concerned, talk to your health care provider.
- Use only water-based lubricants with male latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, lotion or baby oil, can weaken and destroy latex.
- Store latex condoms at room temperature (not too hot and not too cold) and check the expiry date on the condom package.
- Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 (N-9) may increase the risk of infection/transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and it is not recommended to prevent HIV or these infections.
- The more partners you have, the more likely you are to be exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.
- To help protect yourself and your partner(s) from a sexually transmitted infection (STI), use a condom during any vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- Latex and polyurethane male and female condoms help prevent the spread of many sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
- A new condom must be used each time you have sex.
- If a condom breaks, a pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection may occur. If a condom breaks during sex and you are concerned, talk to your health care provider.
- Use only water-based lubricants with male latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, lotion or baby oil, can weaken and destroy latex.
- Store latex condoms at room temperature (not too hot and not too cold) and check the expiry date on the condom package.
- Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 (N-9) may increase the risk of infection/transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and it is not recommended to prevent HIV or these infections.
For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #08o Condoms Help Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
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