Mild to Severe Yeast Infection Symptoms

A yeast infection happens when there’s an overgrowth of a naturally occurring fungus in the body known as Candida. These infections develop on parts of the body, like the vagina and penis, with symptoms such as itchiness, discharge, burning, and pain.

Fortunately, there are over-the-counter OTC and prescription remedies available to help clear a vaginal or penile yeast infection and the discomfort that comes along with it.

This article discusses symptoms of yeast infection, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Different Yeast Infection Symptoms

People with both male and female anatomies can develop yeast infections. Depending on the body part that the infection affects, symptoms can range from discharge and itching to irritation and pain. Yeast infection symptoms may start mild and become more severe if not treated.

Discharge

A common sign that a yeast infection is brewing includes abnormal genital discharge.

For people with a vagina, these discharge changes are typically thick and white (like cottage cheese). People with a penis may experience some white, milky discharge that accumulates on the head of the penis.

Unlike other types of discharge, yeast infection discharge typically doesn't have a distinct or foul smell.

Itching and Burning

Genital itching and burning are other key signs of a yeast infection. These sensations are felt on the vulva and the labia (the external part of the vagina), but they can also occur on the inside of the vagina. The itching or burning may be near the head of the penis or along the shaft.

Pain

Experiencing pain in the area is another common sign of a yeast infection for both males and females. This involves pain while urinating and pain during vaginal sex. This could feel like a sharp pain for some people, while others may experience a soreness.

Skin Irritation

Yeast infections can irritate the skin. This may include swelling of the vagina and labia (the folds of skin around the vagina). For males, this might look like discoloration, scaly skin, or a painful rash on the underside of the penis. In people with light skin tones, redness may also be apparent.

How to Tell If Symptoms Are From a Yeast Infection

Other infections with similar symptoms can be mistaken for yeast infections, so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis. Infections like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis might resemble yeast infections but require entirely different treatment.

Common yeast infection symptoms, like itching, pain, burning, and thick, white discharge, can be similar to some types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which might look more like:

• Foul-smelling discharge that is green, yellow, or brown
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
• Bumps or skin lesions on the genital area

It's best to check with a healthcare provider if you're unsure whether it's a yeast infection.

A Word From Verywell

If you think you have a yeast infection, taking a daily probiotic or increasing yogurt intake may improve levels of the good bacteria in the vagina that helps prevent yeast overgrowth.

— RENITA WHITE, MD

Untreated Yeast Infection Symptoms

Leaving a yeast infection untreated may develop into more severe symptoms or complications. Without treatment, symptoms can get worse. Prolonged swelling, irritation, and itchiness could prompt bleeding, open sores, or cracked skin, making a skin infection more likely.

An untreated yeast infection can quickly become extremely serious in people with a weakened immune system. If the yeast infection spreads to the blood, heart, brain, eyes, or bones, it becomes a serious infection known as invasive candidiasis.

Treatment for Suspected Yeast Infection Symptoms

Antifungal medications treat yeast infections. OTC antifungals come in cream, ointment, tablet, and suppository formats. Common brands include:

• Monistat (miconazole)
• Terazol (terconazole)
• Lotrimin AF (clotrimazole)

Experts generally approve of at-home treatments if you have mild symptoms, are not pregnant, are not concerned about a potential STI, and don't get yeast infections frequently. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label.

A healthcare provider can also offer a yeast infection test. Following a diagnosis, they may prescribe Diflucan (fluconazole), an antifungal medication in pill form.

Keep Having Yeast Infection Symptoms

Genital yeast infections are typically a common, occasional occurrence. However, if you're experiencing yeast infections more than four times yearly, experts may classify them as chronic or recurring.

Chronic yeast infections can happen for a variety of reasons, including:

• Hormone fluctuations that may happen during menstruation or pregnancy
• Health conditions like diabetes or cystic fibrosis
• Taking certain medications, like antibiotics or steroids
• Lifestyle factors, including eating a high-sugar diet, experiencing stress or sleep deprivation, wearing synthetic or tight clothing, using scented genital products, or being uncircumcised

Other times, there is no clear underlying cause for why a person may experience chronic yeast infections.

While there's no one-size-fits-all treatment for recurring cases, experts often recommend a combination of longer-term medications and lifestyle adjustments, such as:

• Taking Diflucan (fluconazole), an oral antifungal prescription, weekly for up to 6 months
• Trying boric acid vaginal suppositories, which may have antifungal properties
• Implementing dietary modifications to reduce sugar and yeast and add probiotics
• Avoiding tight clothing

Summary

Common symptoms of genital yeast infections include itching, pain, burning, and discharge. People with male and female anatomy can experience a yeast infection, though symptoms may vary slightly based on whether the infection impacts the vagina or the penis.

While both yeast infections can be treated at home with OTC topical remedies, a healthcare provider can offer an official diagnosis and prescribe an oral antifungal medication to clear the infection effectively.