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Dealing with fluctuating hormones each month is all part of being a woman. And while you may be used to (read: grudgingly accepting of) varying energy levels, libido, tummy troubles, and more throughout your cycle, there is one incredibly unpleasant symptom that might catch you by surprise: yeast infections! That’s right — this burning, itching pain in your nether regions can come monthly, just like PMS. As if we didn’t have enough to deal with already!
Yeast infections (officially known as Candida vaginal infections) are caused by too much yeast growing in the vagina, leading to inflammation. Signs include itching, burning, red and swollen labia, white-yellow discharge, and pain when you pee or have sex.
They are annoying, but unfortunately common. Approximately 75% of women get a yeast infection at least once, and a select few experience one every single month. About 5% of women get recurrent yeast infections, or recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVS), which is classified as three or more yeast infections in one year.
Cue the monthly dread. “Another yeast infection?” you think. It doesn’t seem fair after you barely recovered from the last one!
What contributes to recurring yeast infections?
There’s no way to pin down exactly why you are getting a yeast infection every month, but Dr. Caledonia K. Buckheit, MD, OB/GYN, points to a variety of factors that can contribute to your risk. This includes “alterations in the vaginal microbiome or immune system” that can lead to these monthly yeast infections.
“Antibiotic use can wipe out good bacteria in the genital tract, allowing for yeast overgrowth,” she continues. Other factors that can affect your vagina’s delicate immune system include “certain medications or even excessive stress.” Think: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and steroids. Birth control and pregnancy can also alter the level of estrogen in your body and increase your likelihood of developing a yeast infection.
Additionally, lifestyle choices can contribute to recurring yeast infections. Dr. Buckheit explains, “Certain activities or clothing choices can also create an environment that is more friendly to yeast growth, like prolonged exercise or tight/non-breathable clothing.”
Recurrent yeast infections could be a sign that something else is going on with your health. “In some cases, recurrent yeast infections could be a sign of an underlying issue such as diabetes or immunosuppression,” Dr. Buckheit says.
Keep in mind, though, that the majority of women with recurrent yeast infections “have no apparent predisposing or underlying conditions,” according to the CDC.
Yeast infections are frustrating, embarrassing, and limiting. Who wants to go to the gym or out on a date while dealing with the uncomfortable squirm of a yeast infection? Not to mention, sweating and wearing tight clothes (which we often do during things like working out and having sex) can make the problems worse. Plus, having sex with a yeast infection puts your partner at risk of developing a yeast infection as well.
Luckily, there are treatment options for those who suffer from recurring infections.
What are my treatment options?
Always consult with a doctor if you have a yeast infection that doesn’t go away, or if you get more than three in a year. With most yeast infections, using one course of over-the-counter medicine like Monistat, containing an egg or cream suppository made of miconazole nitrate, into your vagina for 1-7 days is an effective treatment.
However, if you have RVVS, this medicine might not do the trick. Instead, Dr. Buckheit says your doctor will suggest “a longer course of treatment,” which could look like a dose of oral fluconazole or other oral antifungal medicine for six months (as long as you aren’t pregnant). Fluconazole in particular has many drug interactions and potential side effects like nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea, making it challenging for many women to take it. That’s why embarking on a few lifestyle changes to prevent future yeast infections is so crucial.
Dr. Buckheit recommends “adopting habits that help maintain a healthy vulvovaginal environment.” These include:
- Avoiding scented soaps, douches, or other products in the genital area. “Less is more!” Dr. Buckheit says, explaining that you only need water and unscented soap to wash your lady parts.
- Wearing cotton underwear and looser fitting clothes, especially when working out or on hot days. If you do get sweaty or wet, change into dry clothes as soon as possible.
- Maintaining your overall health “through eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and getting regular exercise and adequate sleep,” says Dr. Buckheit. These things help in most areas of life and can also affect your vaginal health.
- On the same wavelength, limiting sugary foods and drinks and increasing your intake of probiotic foods, such as yogurt with live active cultures, kombucha, and kimchi, can lower your risk of recurrent yeast infections as well. (Note: experts don’t recommend inserting yogurt or anything else as a suppository without doctor approval.)
- Dr. Buckheit often recommends vaginal boric acid suppositories for her patients with recurrent yeast infections, as “this can support a healthy vaginal pH and prevent yeast growth.” You can get these over the counter from brands like The Honey Pot, AZO, and Ph-D Feminine Health.
The future of vaginal health
There is hope for the future for those who get monthly yeast infections. Researchers are testing more options to treat and prevent this annoying and painful condition. Different antifungal drugs to treat recurrent yeast infections are currently in development, as is an immunotherapeutic vaccine to reduce the frequency of symptomatic episodes for up to 12 months. These types of treatments could help change the quality of life for many women who suffer from recurrent yeast infections.
Taking care of your vaginal health can be complicated. But with a doctor’s guidance and the right medication and lifestyle choices, you can manage the symptoms of recurrent yeast infections and not let them ruin your cycle.
If you’re currently suffering from monthly yeast infections, here’s hoping you can find some much-needed relief soon!
Sydni Ellis is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in HuffPost, SheKnows, Motherly, Romper, POPSUGAR, and other publications focused on lifestyle, entertainment, parenting, and wellness. She has a Master of Journalism from the University of North Texas and a Best Mama award from her three little boys (at least, that’s what she thinks the scribbled words on the card say). When she isn’t busy singing along to Disney movies and catching her husband up on the latest celebrity gossip, she can almost always be found with a good book and an iced coffee in hand.