Vaginal Candidiasis: Causes, Treatments, and What Really Works

When you hear vaginal candidiasis, a fungal infection caused mostly by Candida albicans that leads to itching, thick discharge, and burning during urination or sex. Also known as yeast infection, it affects about 75% of women at least once in their lives. It’s not a sign of poor hygiene—it’s a normal imbalance in your vaginal microbiome. Something changed: maybe you took antibiotics, wore damp workout clothes for hours, or your hormones shifted during your cycle or pregnancy. Your body’s natural balance got knocked off, and the yeast that’s always there started overgrowing.

This isn’t just about discomfort—it’s about understanding what actually helps. Over-the-counter antifungal creams like clotrimazole or miconazole work for most people, but they don’t fix the root cause. If you keep getting it back, you’re not broken—you’re missing the bigger picture. Things like sugar intake, tight synthetic underwear, or even stress can quietly feed the problem. Some people swear by probiotics, especially those with Lactobacillus strains, and studies show they can help restore balance when used alongside treatment. But don’t fall for the hype: douching, vinegar rinses, or garlic inserts won’t help and can make things worse. Vaginal health isn’t about scrubbing it clean—it’s about supporting the ecosystem that’s already there.

And here’s something most people don’t talk about: men can carry Candida too. If you’re treating yourself but your partner isn’t, reinfection is easy. It’s not about blame—it’s about practical steps. If you’ve had four or more infections in a year, that’s recurrent candidiasis, and you need a different approach. Doctors may recommend longer courses of antifungals or maintenance therapy. It’s not rare, and it’s not shameful. What matters is knowing what to do next.

Below, you’ll find real, no-fluff guides on what treatments work, what to avoid, how to spot when it’s something else, and how to prevent it from coming back. No marketing. No myths. Just what you need to feel better—and stay better.

Antibiotic-Induced Yeast Infections: How to Prevent and Treat Them

Antibiotic-Induced Yeast Infections: How to Prevent and Treat Them
30 October 2025 Shaun Franks

Antibiotic-induced yeast infections are common but preventable. Learn how to stop them before they start with proven strategies like probiotics, antifungals, and lifestyle changes - and what to do if you already have one.