Diseases & Conditions
Easy-to-understand answers about diseases and conditions
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Yeast infection
A vaginal yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis, is a fungal infection that leads to irritation, discharge, and intense itching of the vagina and vulva — the tissues surrounding the vaginal opening. This common condition affects up to 3 out of 4 women at some point in their lives, with many experiencing recurring episodes. While not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, the risk of a vaginal yeast infection increases with the onset of regular sexual activity, and there’s emerging evidence linking infections to oral-genital contact. Effective medications are available to treat vaginal yeast infections. For those with recurrent cases (four or more within a year), a more extended treatment course and ongoing management plan may be necessary.
