Yeast Infection Symptoms: What to Look For and When to Act

When your body gets too much yeast, a type of fungus called Candida that normally lives harmlessly in small amounts on skin and in the gut. Also known as candida overgrowth, it can multiply fast under the right conditions—like after antibiotics, during pregnancy, or if your immune system is low—and cause uncomfortable infections, especially in warm, moist areas. The most common place this happens is the vagina, but yeast can also show up in the mouth, skin folds, or even under the nails.

Yeast infection symptoms aren’t always the same, but there are clear red flags. If you’re dealing with intense itching that won’t quit, thick white discharge that looks like cottage cheese, burning when you pee or have sex, or red, swollen skin around the vaginal area—you’re likely dealing with a yeast infection. It’s not a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be triggered by sex, tight clothes, or even scented soaps. Men can get yeast infections too, usually as redness or irritation on the penis, especially if they’re uncircumcised or have diabetes.

What makes yeast infections tricky is how often they’re mistaken for bacterial vaginosis or STIs. The itching might feel like a UTI, but you won’t have the urge to pee constantly. The discharge looks different from trichomoniasis or chlamydia—it’s not foul-smelling, and it’s not green or gray. If you’ve had one before and recognize the signs, an OTC antifungal cream or pill might help. But if this is your first time, if symptoms don’t improve in a few days, or if you get them more than four times a year, you need to see a provider. Recurring infections can point to something deeper, like uncontrolled diabetes, a weak immune system, or even a different kind of fungus altogether.

Some people swear by yogurt, probiotics, or coconut oil, but science doesn’t back most of those as reliable fixes. What does work? Prescription or OTC antifungals like clotrimazole, miconazole, or fluconazole. They target the fungus directly. And while you’re treating it, skip douches, scented tampons, and tight synthetic underwear. Let the area breathe. Moisture is yeast’s best friend—dryness is your ally.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve been there. From how to tell a yeast infection apart from other issues, to what happens when you treat it wrong, to why some women keep getting them even after medication. These aren’t theories. They’re experiences, tests, and doctor-backed advice—straight from the people who’ve lived it.