Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. Yeast infections can be very uncomfortable. A white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese Pain during sexual intercourse Swelling of the vulva Yeast infections are so common that three-fourths of all women will have one at some time in their lives. Half of women have more than one infection in their lives. If you have symptoms of a yeast infection, your doctor will probably want to talk to you about your symptoms and examine you to make sure a yeast infection is the cause of your symptoms.
Yeast are tiny organisms that normally live in small numbers on the skin and inside the vagina.
The acidic environment of the vagina helps keep yeast from growing. If the vagina becomes less acidic, too many yeast can grow and cause a vaginal infection. The acidic environment of the vagina can be changed by menstruation, pregnancy, some antibiotics, oral contraceptives, steroids and diabetes. Moisture and irritation of the vagina also seem to encourage yeast to grow. Yeast infections are usually treated with medicine that you put into your vagina.