After showering or swimming, make sure your vaginal area is thoroughly clean and dry.
Learn About Vaginal Yeast Infection: Symptoms & Treatments
Vaginal Yeast Infection
It’s more common than you think. A vaginal yeast infection is an infection caused by excessive growth of a natural yeast-like fungus, called Candida albicans.
If you’ve noticed vaginal irritation, inflammation and unusual discharge, you may have a yeast infection. This occurs when the good bacteria in your vagina cannot keep the fungus under control, or when your immune system is weakened. Just so you know, a vaginal yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted infection.
Vaginal Yeast Infection Symptoms
You might have a vaginal yeast infection if you experience:
- Itchy vagina/vulva
- Soreness, burning and redness around the entrance to your vagina (vulva)
- Slight swelling of your vaginal lips (labia)
- Cottage cheese-like white discharge
These symptoms aren’t uncommon:
- Pain during sex
- Thick discharge
- Red and swollen labia
- Burning around your vulva
- Pain when you urinate
- Soreness in your vaginal area
- Cracked skin around your vulva
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before selecting an over the counter treatment if you:
- Are at increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. HIV-AIDS),
- Have multiple sexual partners
- Change partners often
- Have diabetes
- Have heart disease
- Have frequent vaginal infections or if your yeast infection returns in less than 2 months
- Have never had a yeast infection before
- Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have any of the following symptoms, which may be signs of a serious condition:
- abdominal, back or shoulder pain
- fever or chills
- nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting
- vaginal haemorrhaging or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Stop using your treatment and ask a doctor if:
- There is no improvement in three days or if symptoms have not disappeared within seven days
- You have abdominal pain, fever or foul-smelling discharge during use of this medication
- Skin rash or new irritation occurs
Understanding Vaginal Yeast Infections
We all know it’s uncomfortable, but rest assured — a vaginal yeast infection is usually easily treated. If you are a first-time sufferer or need further help, a pharmacist or doctor can help you decide the best medication option for you.
Vaginal Yeast Infection Treatment
A vaginal yeast infection is treated with medication available over the counter from a pharmacy.
To treat the infection, you can use an internal product that contains the active ingredient clotrimazole or an oral treatment containing fluconazole. These products all treat your infection, but different people prefer different treatment options. External creams will help to soothe your symptoms such as itchiness and burning. You can buy our products separately or you can purchase a combi for both the internal and external treatments.
Remember: Just treating the itchiness with an external cream won’t get rid of your infection, so don’t forget to treat your vaginal yeast infection at the source with oral capsule or vaginal solutions, such as an internal cream or vaginal tablet.
You can buy a Canesten® Combi containing both the internal and external treatments, such as CanesOral® Combi + Extra Strength External Cream or Canesten® Combi 1 Day ComforTAB® + External Cream.
Discover Canesten® Products
Canesten®
Combi 1 Day ComforTAB® + External Cream
Two-step treatment for a vaginal yeast infection: Convenient single-dose ComforTAB® plus external cream
Canesten®
Combi 3 Day ComforTAB® + External Cream
Three-day, two-step treatment for a vaginal yeast infection
CanesFresh®
Soothing
Daily Intimate Gel Wash
CanesFresh®
Everyday Protection
Daily Intimate Gel Wash
Canesten®
6 Day Internal Cream 1% Vaginal Treatments
Six-day treatment for a vaginal yeast infection
Canesten®
3 Day Internal Cream 2% Vaginal Treatments
Three-day treatment for a vaginal yeast infection
Canesten®
1 Day Internal Cream 10% Vaginal Treatment
Single-dose treatment for a vaginal yeast infection
Canesten®
External Cream 1%
Effective soothing relief from external VYI symptoms like itching and burning
Canesten®
Combi 1 Day Internal + External Creams
Two step-treatment for a vaginal yeast infection: single-dose internal cream plus external cream.
Canesten®
Extra Strength External Cream 2%
Fast and effective soothing relief from external vaginal yeast infection symptoms
CanesBalance®
Treat & Prevent - Vaginal Gel
Easy-to-use, single pre-filled tube applicators to effectively treat and prevent the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
CanesBalance®
Treatment - Vaginal Gel
Easy-to-use, single pre-filled tube applicators to effectively treat the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
CanesOral®
Single Capsule
One-day, single-dose oral treatment for a vaginal yeast infection
CanesOral®
Combi 1 Day
Two-step treatment for a vaginal yeast infection: single dose oral pill plus external cream.
NEW CanesBalance®
Treatment - Soft Vaginal Tablets
Easy-to-use NEW Soft Vaginal Tablets to effectively treat the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
Preventing a Vaginal Yeast Infection
You should avoid fragrances during infection as well as other irritating chemicals, like perfumed soap, bubble baths or heavily perfumed shower gels.
Wipe from front to back after going to the toilet. This will prevent yeast from entering your vagina.
Facts about Vaginal Yeast Infection
It can happen to anyone — up to 75% of women will have a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lifetime.1
A vaginal yeast infection is usually caused by Candida albicans, a yeast naturally occurring in your vaginal microflora.
You can help prevent yeast infections by avoiding high-sugar foods and stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Doing so will keep your immune system strong.
1. Sobel. JD. Lancet 2007; 369: 1961-71.