Yeast Infection: Causes, Treatments, and What Really Works

When you hear yeast infection, a common fungal infection caused mostly by Candida albicans, often affecting the vagina, mouth, or skin folds. Also known as candidiasis, it’s not a sign of poor hygiene—it’s a natural imbalance in your body’s microbes. About 75% of women will get at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime, and men and kids can get them too—usually in the mouth, diaper area, or under the breasts. It’s not contagious like a cold, but it can flare up after antibiotics, stress, pregnancy, or eating too much sugar.

Most yeast infections are caused by the same fungus, Candida, a type of yeast that lives harmlessly in small amounts in the gut, mouth, and genital area. When something disrupts the balance—like taking antibiotics that kill good bacteria, wearing damp clothes, or having diabetes—the yeast overgrows and causes itching, burning, and thick white discharge. Not all itching means yeast, though. Bacterial vaginosis and STIs can feel similar, so misdiagnosing it is common. That’s why some people keep treating themselves with the same cream, only to have it come back. The real fix isn’t just killing the yeast—it’s fixing the environment that lets it grow.

That’s where miconazole, a topical antifungal used in creams, suppositories, and powders to treat skin and vaginal yeast infections. comes in. It’s one of the most common OTC treatments, and it works well for mild cases. But if it keeps coming back, you might need something stronger—like oral fluconazole—or to look at what’s really triggering it. Some people find relief by cutting out sugar, switching to cotton underwear, or avoiding scented soaps. Others need to check for underlying issues like prediabetes or immune problems. The posts below cover exactly that: real-world advice on treating yeast infections without falling for myths, how to tell if it’s really yeast or something else, why some treatments fail, and what to do when over-the-counter options don’t work.

You’ll find guides on antifungal medications that actually work, how to use them correctly, what to avoid mixing with them, and how to prevent future flare-ups. Whether you’re dealing with a first-time infection or one that won’t go away, the info here is practical, grounded in how your body really responds—not marketing hype.