Urgent Care for Yeast Infections

Vaginal yeast infections are a common, and uncomfortable, problem. The U.S. Office on Women’s Health estimates that 3 in 4 people assigned female at birth will have a yeast infection at some point. If you’re one of them, an over-the-counter (OTC) medication may help.

Sometimes, you need more than what’s available on a drugstore shelf. Mass General Brigham emergency medicine doctor Joseph W. Kopp, MD, explains when you should seek medical care for a yeast infection.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

A yeast infection (also called vaginal candidiasis) is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida. Everyone has Candida (a yeast that’s also a fungus) in the mouth, throat, gut, and skin. People assigned female at birth also have Candida in the vagina. Typically, the fungus doesn’t cause problems.

“Your entire body is a microbiome of fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms,” says Dr. Kopp. “A yeast infection occurs when something upsets the microbiome balance, causing fungi to grow out of control.”

What causes yeast infections?

Many things can lead to an overgrowth of Candida and a vaginal yeast infection:

• Antibiotics: These medications kill germs that cause bacterial infections. But they also kill good bacteria in the vagina that help keep fungi from multiplying too quickly.

• Diabetes: Yeast can thrive in excess glucose (blood sugar) in the urine of people with unmanaged diabetes.

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy, menstruation, or hormonal birth control can affect the balance of Candida in the vagina.

• Hygiene products: Vaginal sprays, deodorants, and douches, as well as scented tampons and pads, can kill good bacteria that keep fungi from growing out of control.

• Weak immune system: People with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, or conditions that weaken the immune system, such as cancer or HIV/AIDS, are more prone to yeast infections.

Is a yeast infection a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

A yeast infection isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI) because you can get it without having sexual contact with another person. However, it’s possible to get a yeast infection from vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a partner who has an infection. Using condoms and dental dams can lower this risk. Depending on symptoms, you and your partner may need treatment.

Yeast infection symptoms

Extreme itchiness around the vagina is a common sign of a yeast infection. Other symptoms include:

• Genital burning, redness, and swelling
• Pain during sex
• Painful urination
• Vaginal discharge that’s thicker, or more watery, than usual (without a foul odor)

When should you seek medical care for a yeast infection?

If all signs point toward a yeast infection, you may be able to treat the infection at home using an OTC antifungal cream or suppository. However, the U.S. Office on Women’s Health estimates that 2 in 3 people who use OTC yeast infection medications actually have a different kind of infection.

“Other conditions, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis, cause similar symptoms,” says Dr. Kopp. “It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis, so you’re treating the right condition.” Urinary tract infections (UTIs) also cause painful urination, but you’re less likely to have vaginal discharge.

You should call your primary care provider (PCP) if you:

• Are not sure you have a yeast infection
• Have symptoms that persist or worsen after a couple of days of OTC treatment
• Tend to get frequent yeast infections that don’t respond to standard treatments

Your doctor’s office can recommend next steps and assist with any urgent issues. Many Mass General Brigham primary care practices offer same-day, in-person, and virtual visits. If you don’t have a PCP or no appointments are available, virtual urgent care can be a good option.

When should you seek virtual urgent care for a yeast infection?

Mass General Brigham virtual urgent care providers see patients aged 3 and up, including those who haven’t seen a Mass General Brigham provider before. Both new and current patients can schedule a virtual urgent care visit for that day or the next day on Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway.

To diagnose a yeast infection, health care providers perform a pelvic exam to check for swelling, irritation, and discharge. Your provider uses a swab to take a sample of the vaginal discharge and sends it to a lab to check for an overgrowth of Candida.

While these steps require an in-person visit, a virtual urgent care appointment can still be helpful. “If a patient is taking antibiotics and has yeast infection symptoms, a virtual urgent care provider may prescribe an antifungal treatment without the need for an in-person visit,” says Dr. Kopp. “Providers can also prescribe an oral medication for patients with recurrent yeast infections that don’t respond to topical treatments.”

If the virtual urgent care provider recommends coming to urgent care for an exam and testing, they’ll expedite the appointment by notifying the site. When you arrive, the urgent care provider will have the information from your virtual appointment and already know what tests you need.

Depending on the urgent care location, you may get yeast infection test results within 30 minutes or a few days later. “The provider initiates treatment based on the pelvic exam findings and symptoms,” says Dr. Kopp.

Preventing yeast infections

These actions can lower your chances of developing a yeast infection:

• Avoid scented products, including bubble baths, vaginal deodorants, and menstrual products.
• Change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty clothes as soon as possible.
• Don’t douche.
• Don’t wear tight-fitting leggings or pants for extended times.
• Manage blood sugar and diabetes.
• Wear underwear with an absorbent cotton crotch.