A vaginal yeast infection, also called thrush or candidiasis, is a common and treatable overgrowth of the Candida fungus. It usually causes itching and burning around the vagina and vulva, and often thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese with little or no smell. It is not a sexually transmitted infection. Antifungal pessaries, creams or tablets usually clear it within 7 to 14 days. See a doctor if it is your first time, you are pregnant, it keeps coming back, or symptoms do not improve after treatment.
What are the symptoms of a yeast infection?
The most common symptoms are:
- itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina,
- burning or stinging, often worse when you pee or have sex,
- redness and swelling of the vulva,
- a change in discharge, usually thick and white (see below).
Some women have only itching and no change in discharge. Symptoms can be mild or very uncomfortable.
What yeast infection discharge looks like
Yeast infection discharge is typically thick, white and lumpy, often compared to cottage cheese, with little or no smell. Because several conditions cause unusual discharge, it helps to know how thrush usually differs:
These are only patterns, and symptoms overlap. For a full colour guide to discharge, see our article on vaginal discharge (keputihan): what is normal and what is not.
What causes a yeast infection?
Candida normally lives in small amounts in the vagina, kept in check by good bacteria and the vagina's natural acidity. A yeast infection happens when that balance shifts and the yeast overgrows. Things that make this more likely include:
- Antibiotics, which can kill the good bacteria that keep yeast under control,
- pregnancy and other hormone changes, including hormone replacement therapy,
- diabetes, especially when blood sugar is not well controlled,
- a weakened immune system, for example during chemotherapy or with HIV,
- skin irritation from perfumed products, tight or damp clothing, or friction.
In many cases, there is no obvious cause. A yeast infection is not a sign of poor hygiene, and it is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection, although sex can sometimes trigger it.
How yeast infections are treated
Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medicine, which comes as:
- a pessary (a tablet you insert into the vagina),
- a cream for inside the vagina or for the itchy outer area,
- an oral tablet you swallow.
Thrush usually clears within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment, and symptoms often ease within a few days. Partners usually do not need treatment unless they have symptoms.
Can you treat it yourself? If a doctor has diagnosed thrush before and your symptoms are exactly the same, a pharmacist can advise on antifungal treatment. But many women who self-treat actually have something else, such as BV, in which case antifungal medicine will not help and the real problem is delayed. See a doctor first if:
- it is your first time having these symptoms,
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because not all treatments are suitable (doctors usually recommend a vaginal treatment rather than tablets in pregnancy),
- you are under 16 or over 60,
- treatment has not worked, or you have had thrush more than twice in six months.
While you have thrush, wash the area with plain water and a simple emollient instead of soap or shower gel, dry gently, and wear loose cotton underwear.
Yeast infections that keep coming back
Some women get thrush again and again. US guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis as three or more episodes within a year, and the NHS advises seeing a GP if you have thrush more than four times a year. A doctor can:
- confirm that it really is thrush, with a swab test,
- check for triggers such as diabetes,
- recommend a longer course of treatment, sometimes for up to six months.
How to prevent yeast infections
Do:
- keep the area clean with water and dry it gently, especially in Malaysia's hot, humid weather,
- wear breathable cotton underwear and loose clothing,
- change out of sweaty gym clothes or wet swimwear soon,
- change pads and panty liners regularly,
- keep blood sugar well controlled if you have diabetes.
Avoid:
- douching or washing inside the vagina,
- perfumed soaps, shower gels, sprays and scented wipes on the genital area,
- tight, non-breathable clothing for long periods.
Once a yeast infection has cleared, some women like using a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser on the outer area for daily freshness. If you do, choose a mild, soap-free formula and use it on the outside only. Our guide on how to choose a feminine wash in Malaysia explains what to look for, and Drann Feminine Wash (Rose) is one soap-free, pH-balanced option. A feminine wash does not treat or prevent infection; plain water is enough for most women, especially during an active infection.
What about probiotics? A Cochrane review found low-quality evidence that probiotics taken alongside antifungal treatment may slightly improve short-term cure, but no clear long-term benefit. They are not a substitute for antifungal medicine.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or clinic if:
- you have symptoms for the first time,
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding,
- your discharge smells, is yellow, green or grey, or you have pelvic pain, fever or bleeding,
- symptoms do not improve after treatment, or thrush keeps coming back,
- you have diabetes or a weakened immune system,
- you think you may have a sexually transmitted infection.
Myths vs facts
-
Myth: A yeast infection means you are not clean.
Fact: It is caused by a shift in the natural balance of the vagina, not by poor hygiene. Over-washing can make it worse. -
Myth: All itching down there is a yeast infection.
Fact: Itching can also come from BV, sexually transmitted infections, skin conditions or irritation from products. Repeated self-treatment can hide the real cause. -
Myth: Inserting yoghurt, garlic or tea tree oil will cure it.
Fact: These home remedies are not proven, and putting them inside the vagina can cause irritation. Use a proper antifungal treatment. -
Myth: Your partner always needs treatment.
Fact: Partners usually only need treatment if they have symptoms.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does yeast infection discharge look like?
Typically thick, white and lumpy, often described as looking like cottage cheese, with little or no smell. Some women notice watery discharge instead, and some have no change in discharge at all, only itching and burning.
Is a yeast infection a sexually transmitted infection?
No. Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection, although sex can sometimes trigger it. Partners usually do not need treatment unless they have symptoms.
How long does a yeast infection take to go away?
With treatment, thrush usually clears within 7 to 14 days, although symptoms often start to ease within a few days. If it has not improved after treatment, see a doctor.
Can I get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours?
Not usually. Some treatments are given as a single dose, but symptoms typically take a few days to settle and the infection can take up to two weeks to clear fully.
Can I treat a yeast infection myself?
If a doctor has diagnosed thrush before and your symptoms are the same, a pharmacist can advise on antifungal pessaries, creams or tablets. See a doctor if it is your first time, you are pregnant or breastfeeding, symptoms keep coming back, or treatment has not worked.
Do probiotics help with yeast infections?
A Cochrane review found low-quality evidence that probiotics added to antifungal treatment may slightly improve short-term cure, but no clear long-term benefit. They are not a substitute for antifungal treatment.
Why do I keep getting yeast infections?
Common reasons include repeated antibiotic courses, poorly controlled diabetes, pregnancy, a weakened immune system, or another condition being mistaken for thrush. If you have several episodes a year, see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and discuss longer treatment.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. If you are unsure about your symptoms, please get checked.
References
- Thrush — NHS
- Vaginitis — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- Vulvovaginal Candidiasis — CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021
- Xie HY, et al. Probiotics for vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017
- Vaginal discharge — NHS
