Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are They?
Common Causes
Yeast Infections in Males
Effects of Chronic Infections
Overtreating
Self-Care
Symptoms vs. STIs
If you suffer from four or more vaginalyeast infectionsa year, you may have chronic yeast infections.
This article discusses the causes of recurring yeast infections, how to treat them, and how to prevent them from happening.
SDI Productions / Getty Images
What Qualifies as Recurring (Chronic) Yeast Infections?
Infections occur when yeast becomes too abundant for the vaginal microbiome to self-regulate. An imbalance can also occur when thepH balance of your vaginais disturbed.
Self-Treatment
Common Causes of Recurring Yeast Infections in Females
Some people are more prone to yeast infections than others, and there’s often no underlying reason. Most often, yeast infections are due to a weakened immune system,hormone fluctuations, and other causes.
Mild to Severe Yeast Infection Symptoms
Medical Causes
A few serious health conditions can cause yeast infections, so monitoring recurring infections with a trusted healthcare provider is essential. Some medical causes include:
Hormonal Causes
Hormone fluctuations during different phases of a woman’s life can cause candida (yeast) to grow more than usual. Hormonal causes may include:
Lifestyle Causes
Sometimes, yeast infections are due to products or seemingly unrelated life events. Lifestyle causes may include:
Chronic Yeast Infections in Males
Males can get yeast infections, too (penile candidiasis). Any moist skin around the penis and foreskin can harbor the overgrowth of candida. About 15% of men may get a penile rash from having unprotected sex with a woman who has a yeast infection.
Men are more likely to get yeast infections if they:
Males can also get a yeast infection from havingunprotected sex with an infected partner. Some people are asymptomatic and don’t know they have a yeast infection.
Yeast Infections and IntimacyHaving sex during a yeast infection can be painful and make your symptoms worse. Consider waiting a week or until your treatment is complete. This will also stop from passing yeast infections between partners.
Yeast Infections and Intimacy
Having sex during a yeast infection can be painful and make your symptoms worse. Consider waiting a week or until your treatment is complete. This will also stop from passing yeast infections between partners.
Effects of Yeast Infections That Keep Coming Back
Studies show thatclinical depression, poor self-esteem, and high stress are common among those with chronic yeast infections.Yeast infections can also negatively impact sexual and emotional relationships.
Most women with chronic yeast infections have no clear understanding of cause, and not having an answer can be difficult.More research is needed to help determine the reason for recurring infections.If you’re suffering from poor mental or emotional health, talk to a trusted healthcare provider. They can offer you many treatment options and suggest healthy lifestyle habits that can get yeast infections under control.
Treating recurring yeast infections often requires a mix of lifestyle adjustments and long-term medications based on the underlying cause. Candida infections will rarely go away on their own.
For chronic cases, healthcare providers recommend taking Diflucan (fluconazole), an oral antifungal prescription, weekly for up to 6 months.It can also be treated with vaginal suppositories and long-course therapy.
Those with suppressed or compromised immune systems due to transplants, HIV, or other chronic diseases should seek help from the specialist treating their condition.
During pregnancy, only topical treatments can be used. Studies have shown a link between a single dose of antifungal medication and miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) or congenital disabilities.
After the initial yeast infection clears up, maintenance therapy is crucial. Consider a diet low in sugar and yeast (including alcohol) and high in probiotics, like Greek yogurt. Also, avoid tight clothing, maintain a healthy weight, and takevitamin C.
Overtreating Chronic Yeast Infections With Antifungals
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for chronic yeast infections. If you’re not feeling relief within a month of your long-term plan, a healthcare provider may recommend different antifungal medications or more serious holistic solutions.
Sometimes, long-term antifungal treatment can lead to resistant yeast. In this case, a healthcare provider may recommend boric acid vaginal suppository capsules.They have been shown to haveantimicrobial and antifungal properties. (Note that boric acid can be fatal if taken orally.)
Self-Care With Chronic Yeast Infections
Although yeast infections are so common, they are often overlooked. Speak up and seek a healthcare provider you feel comfortable working with.
Keep home remedies on hand for future outbreaks. Some essential oils have been shown to haveantifungal properties, such as:
Try keeping a journal to track yeast infections. This can help narrow down what’s triggering them.
Yeast Infection vs. STI Symptoms
While yeast infections are not considered STIs, they can be passed during sexual activity.
Many STIs sharesimilar symptomsas yeast infections, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the conditions. Common symptoms of a yeast infection are:
A few key differences in STI symptoms include:
If you have any of the above symptoms, seek a proper diagnosis. STIs and yeast infections require very different treatments.
Summary
Frequent yeast infections can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and inhibiting. Medical causes, hormonal fluctuations, or your lifestyle can trigger them. Recurring yeast infections can also point to more serious health conditions.
If you’ve been treating recurring yeast infections with OTCr medicine, consider seeing a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Many other conditions, like bacterial infections, vaginal irritation, STIs, or bladder infections, have similar symptoms.
Treatments for recurring yeast infections include medications and lifestyle changes.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Multiple yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Harvard Health Publishing.Vaginal yeast infections.Yale Medicine.Yeast infection.Baylor Medicine.Recurrent yeast infections.Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, Henriques M, Azeredo J, Silva S.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors.Crit Rev Microbiol. 2016;42(6):905-927. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2015.1091805Parewijck W, Claeys G, Thiery M, Van Kets H.Candidiasis in women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device.BJOG. 1988;95(4):408-410. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb06615.xVentolini G, Khandelwal N, Hutton K, Lugo J, Gygax SE, Schlabritz-Loutsevitch N.Obesity and recurrent vulvovaginal bacterial infections in women of reproductive age.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2017;93(1099):297-297. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134638Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Jegadish N, Fernandes SD, Narasimhan M, Ramachandran R.A descriptive study of the clinical and etiological profile of balanoposthitis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(6):2265-2271. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2467_20National Library of Medicine.Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview.Moshfeghy Z, Tahari S, Janghorban R, et al.Association of sexual function and psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety and stress in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2020 Jun 8;21(2):90-96. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2019.2019.0077Avci P, Freire F, Banvolgyi A, Mylonakis E, Wikonkal NM, Hamblin MR.Sodium ascorbate kills Candida albicans in vitro via iron-catalyzed Fenton reaction: importance of oxygenation and metabolism.Future Microbiol. 2016 Dec;11(12):1535-1547. doi:10.2217/fmb-2016-0063University of Washington Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Boric acid for recurrent vaginal yeast infections.Francisconi RS, Huacho PMM, Tonon CC, Bordini EAF, Correia MF, Sardi JCO, Spolidorio DMP.Antibiofilm efficacy of tea tree oil and of its main component terpinen-4-ol against Candida albicans.Braz Oral Res. 2020 Jun 5;34:e050. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0050Bona E, Cantamessa S, Pavan M, Novello G, Massa N, Rocchetti A, Berta G, Gamalero E.Sensitivity of Candida albicans to essential oils: are they an alternative to antifungal agents?J Appl Microbiol. 2016 Dec;121(6):1530-1545. doi: 10.1111/jam.13282de Oliveira SF, Lôbo IP, da Cruz RS, et al.Antimicrobial activity of coconut oil-in-water emulsion onStaphylococcus epidermidisandEscherichia coliEPEC associated toCandida kefyr.Heliyon. 2018 Nov 13;4(11):e00924. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00924Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Multiple yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Harvard Health Publishing.Vaginal yeast infections.Yale Medicine.Yeast infection.Baylor Medicine.Recurrent yeast infections.Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, Henriques M, Azeredo J, Silva S.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors.Crit Rev Microbiol. 2016;42(6):905-927. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2015.1091805Parewijck W, Claeys G, Thiery M, Van Kets H.Candidiasis in women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device.BJOG. 1988;95(4):408-410. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb06615.xVentolini G, Khandelwal N, Hutton K, Lugo J, Gygax SE, Schlabritz-Loutsevitch N.Obesity and recurrent vulvovaginal bacterial infections in women of reproductive age.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2017;93(1099):297-297. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134638Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Jegadish N, Fernandes SD, Narasimhan M, Ramachandran R.A descriptive study of the clinical and etiological profile of balanoposthitis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(6):2265-2271. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2467_20National Library of Medicine.Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview.Moshfeghy Z, Tahari S, Janghorban R, et al.Association of sexual function and psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety and stress in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2020 Jun 8;21(2):90-96. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2019.2019.0077Avci P, Freire F, Banvolgyi A, Mylonakis E, Wikonkal NM, Hamblin MR.Sodium ascorbate kills Candida albicans in vitro via iron-catalyzed Fenton reaction: importance of oxygenation and metabolism.Future Microbiol. 2016 Dec;11(12):1535-1547. doi:10.2217/fmb-2016-0063University of Washington Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Boric acid for recurrent vaginal yeast infections.Francisconi RS, Huacho PMM, Tonon CC, Bordini EAF, Correia MF, Sardi JCO, Spolidorio DMP.Antibiofilm efficacy of tea tree oil and of its main component terpinen-4-ol against Candida albicans.Braz Oral Res. 2020 Jun 5;34:e050. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0050Bona E, Cantamessa S, Pavan M, Novello G, Massa N, Rocchetti A, Berta G, Gamalero E.Sensitivity of Candida albicans to essential oils: are they an alternative to antifungal agents?J Appl Microbiol. 2016 Dec;121(6):1530-1545. doi: 10.1111/jam.13282de Oliveira SF, Lôbo IP, da Cruz RS, et al.Antimicrobial activity of coconut oil-in-water emulsion onStaphylococcus epidermidisandEscherichia coliEPEC associated toCandida kefyr.Heliyon. 2018 Nov 13;4(11):e00924. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00924Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health Publishing.Multiple yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Harvard Health Publishing.Vaginal yeast infections.Yale Medicine.Yeast infection.Baylor Medicine.Recurrent yeast infections.Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, Henriques M, Azeredo J, Silva S.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors.Crit Rev Microbiol. 2016;42(6):905-927. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2015.1091805Parewijck W, Claeys G, Thiery M, Van Kets H.Candidiasis in women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device.BJOG. 1988;95(4):408-410. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb06615.xVentolini G, Khandelwal N, Hutton K, Lugo J, Gygax SE, Schlabritz-Loutsevitch N.Obesity and recurrent vulvovaginal bacterial infections in women of reproductive age.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2017;93(1099):297-297. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134638Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Jegadish N, Fernandes SD, Narasimhan M, Ramachandran R.A descriptive study of the clinical and etiological profile of balanoposthitis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(6):2265-2271. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2467_20National Library of Medicine.Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview.Moshfeghy Z, Tahari S, Janghorban R, et al.Association of sexual function and psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety and stress in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2020 Jun 8;21(2):90-96. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2019.2019.0077Avci P, Freire F, Banvolgyi A, Mylonakis E, Wikonkal NM, Hamblin MR.Sodium ascorbate kills Candida albicans in vitro via iron-catalyzed Fenton reaction: importance of oxygenation and metabolism.Future Microbiol. 2016 Dec;11(12):1535-1547. doi:10.2217/fmb-2016-0063University of Washington Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Boric acid for recurrent vaginal yeast infections.Francisconi RS, Huacho PMM, Tonon CC, Bordini EAF, Correia MF, Sardi JCO, Spolidorio DMP.Antibiofilm efficacy of tea tree oil and of its main component terpinen-4-ol against Candida albicans.Braz Oral Res. 2020 Jun 5;34:e050. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0050Bona E, Cantamessa S, Pavan M, Novello G, Massa N, Rocchetti A, Berta G, Gamalero E.Sensitivity of Candida albicans to essential oils: are they an alternative to antifungal agents?J Appl Microbiol. 2016 Dec;121(6):1530-1545. doi: 10.1111/jam.13282de Oliveira SF, Lôbo IP, da Cruz RS, et al.Antimicrobial activity of coconut oil-in-water emulsion onStaphylococcus epidermidisandEscherichia coliEPEC associated toCandida kefyr.Heliyon. 2018 Nov 13;4(11):e00924. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00924Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases.
Harvard Health Publishing.Multiple yeast infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).
Harvard Health Publishing.Vaginal yeast infections.
Yale Medicine.Yeast infection.
Baylor Medicine.Recurrent yeast infections.
Gonçalves B, Ferreira C, Alves CT, Henriques M, Azeredo J, Silva S.Vulvovaginal candidiasis: epidemiology, microbiology and risk factors.Crit Rev Microbiol. 2016;42(6):905-927. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2015.1091805
Parewijck W, Claeys G, Thiery M, Van Kets H.Candidiasis in women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device.BJOG. 1988;95(4):408-410. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb06615.x
Ventolini G, Khandelwal N, Hutton K, Lugo J, Gygax SE, Schlabritz-Loutsevitch N.Obesity and recurrent vulvovaginal bacterial infections in women of reproductive age.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2017;93(1099):297-297. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134638
Office on Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.
Jegadish N, Fernandes SD, Narasimhan M, Ramachandran R.A descriptive study of the clinical and etiological profile of balanoposthitis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(6):2265-2271. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2467_20
National Library of Medicine.Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview.
Moshfeghy Z, Tahari S, Janghorban R, et al.Association of sexual function and psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety and stress in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2020 Jun 8;21(2):90-96. doi:10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2019.2019.0077
Avci P, Freire F, Banvolgyi A, Mylonakis E, Wikonkal NM, Hamblin MR.Sodium ascorbate kills Candida albicans in vitro via iron-catalyzed Fenton reaction: importance of oxygenation and metabolism.Future Microbiol. 2016 Dec;11(12):1535-1547. doi:10.2217/fmb-2016-0063
University of Washington Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Boric acid for recurrent vaginal yeast infections.
Francisconi RS, Huacho PMM, Tonon CC, Bordini EAF, Correia MF, Sardi JCO, Spolidorio DMP.Antibiofilm efficacy of tea tree oil and of its main component terpinen-4-ol against Candida albicans.Braz Oral Res. 2020 Jun 5;34:e050. doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0050
Bona E, Cantamessa S, Pavan M, Novello G, Massa N, Rocchetti A, Berta G, Gamalero E.Sensitivity of Candida albicans to essential oils: are they an alternative to antifungal agents?J Appl Microbiol. 2016 Dec;121(6):1530-1545. doi: 10.1111/jam.13282
de Oliveira SF, Lôbo IP, da Cruz RS, et al.Antimicrobial activity of coconut oil-in-water emulsion onStaphylococcus epidermidisandEscherichia coliEPEC associated toCandida kefyr.Heliyon. 2018 Nov 13;4(11):e00924. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00924
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases.
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