Vaginal Yeast Infections: Prevention and Treatment

By: Tara Iyer, MD • Oluwatosin Goje, MD • Tiffany Cochran, MD • Posted on June 17, 2021 • Updated December 16, 2022

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC)

The most common type of yeast to cause infections is Candida albicans, which is the source of 80-90 percent of vaginal infections in women. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) is the second most common cause of vaginitis and can be more than annoying for women who frequently experience this type of infection.

While it is normal for Candida to live in the vagina, it can sometimes overgrow causing inflammation of the vulva and vagina. This leads to the typically experienced symptoms of genital burning, itching, redness, pain, and a thick, white cottage-cheese-like discharge.

Why do some women experience frequent yeast infections more than others?

Predisposing Factors

There are many factors and/or triggers that can predispose women to having a vaginal yeast infection such as:

Use of antibiotics
Use of estrogen-containing contraceptives
Pregnancy (because of the high estrogen level)
Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (because of the high sugar)
Sexual activity (the vagina is healthier when it is more acidic, but semen is alkaline and can affect the acidic level in the vagina)
Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) or any condition that affects the immune system
Tight-fitting clothing
Improper vulvovaginal hygiene

Complicated VVC

The majority of women experience at least one vaginal yeast infection throughout their lifetime, and close to half of these women will experience two infections or more. VVC is considered recurrent when a woman has at least 4 separate infections within a 12-month time span. Persistent, or treatment resistant, VVC occurs when a woman continues to experience symptoms for prolonged periods despite receiving treatment.

It is estimated that 70-75% of women will experience at least one episode of VVC in their lifetime. An international survey of 6,000 women demonstrated that by age 25 about 10% of women who have ever had a vaginal yeast infection, will experience recurrent VVC.¹ This percentage rises to 25% in these women by age 50.¹

Both recurrent and persistent VVC can significantly impact a woman’s life. The symptoms of these infections can negatively affect sexual activity, mental health, and even work productivity. Subsequently, it is no surprise that recurrent or prolonged experience of VVC infections have been shown to adversely impact a woman’s quality of life and overall health status.

Prevention and Treatment of VVC

In order to help prevent vaginal yeast infections, women should follow these steps:

Maintain good vaginal hygiene
Wear loose cotton underwear
Minimize antibiotic use, as able

Uncomplicated VVC infections

Uncomplicated VVC infections are typically treated with over-the-counter preparations of vaginal fluconazole, an antifungal treatment. If evaluated by a physician, VVC can be treated by prescription oral or vaginal azole antifungals, such as fluconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and terconazole.

Complicated VVC infections

Complicated infections, such as recurrent VVC, are more difficult to treat. These infections may require a longer duration of treatment and the use of a stronger azole antifungal, such as terconazole and/or supplemental vaginal boric acid therapy.

Rare VVC infections

In rare cases, certain patients may need be treated with stronger antifungals such as compounded amphotericin B or flucytosine. Many women may also need to use longer term prophylactic therapy with azoles and/or boric acid to prevent the recurrence of VVC. It is important to note, that while many primary care physicians and OB/GYNs are quite capable of treating uncomplicated VVC infections, complicated infections may require specialist care with a physician more experienced in gynecologic infectious disease.

Medication Approved to Treat VVC

Brexafemme® (Ibrexafungerp)

BREXAFEMME®, an oral, non-azole medication, is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for both the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and the reduction in the incidence of recurrent VVC.
Approval is based on pivotal Phase 3 CANDLE data demonstrating statistically significant superiority of ibrexafungerp over placebo for primary and key secondary endpoints.

Second indication for BREXAFEMME® (ibrexafungerp tablets)

The FDA has approved a second indication for BREXAFEMME® (ibrexafungerp tablets) for the reduction in the incidence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) as of December 2022.
This second indication arms both patients and healthcare providers with innovative solutions in the fight against severe fungal infections.

What do you need to know about Brexafemme®

This medication would be an alternative treatment for a subgroup of non-pregnant and non-lactating women suffering from recurrent and azole resistant VVC. Ongoing VVC symptoms, as discussed earlier, can be irritating for women.
The most common side effects of Brexafemme® were gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and also dizziness.

Is Brexafemme® cost effective?

The cost of Brexafemme® may be the most significant barrier to it being prescribed to patients. The current cost prediction of it is much higher than the cost of fluconazole, which is listed for four tablets at the lowest cost.

However, if the price remains at the predicted amount, the cost of Brexafemme® would be justifiable in a subset of women with complicated, recurrent or azole resistant VVC. Also, it may offer an alternative therapy for those unable to use fluconazole or in whom it doesn't work. Currently, women with recurrent VVC are on multiple doses of azoles and utilize numerous doctors’ visits or phone calls.

Some patients with non-albicans candida or azole resistant VVC may spend out of pocket money on compounded amphotericin B and flucytosine, which are effective in >70% in this subset of patients. Some women do not have access to compounded pharmacy or specialists and may benefit from Brexafemme®. The cost of new and old medicines are a continued issue, but it is nice to have Brexafemme® as an option for women with VVA.

Be Strong, Be Healthy, Be in Charge!

-Tara Iyer, MD, Tiffany Cochran MD and Dr. Tosin Goje

References:

Foxman B, Muraglia R, Dietz JP, Sobel JD, Wagner J. Prevalence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in 5 European countries and the United States: results from an internet panel survey. Journal of lower genital tract disease. 2013 Jul 1;17(3):340-5.
FDA resources page. Food and Drug Administration Web site. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/214900s000lbl.pdf. Accessed June 4, 2021.
Kaplan. S. F.D.A. approves pricey pill to treat vaginal yeast infection. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/health/fda-vaginal-yeast-infection.html. Accessed June 4, 2021.
SCYNEXIS announces submission of new drug application to the U.S. food and drug administration for oral ibrexafungerp for the treatment of vaginal yeast infection. SCYNEXIS Web site. https://ir.scynexis.com/press-releases/detail/221/scynexis-announces-submission-of-new-drug-application-to. Accessed June 4, 2021.

About Tara Iyer, MD

Dr. Tara Iyer is a NAMS-certified Menopause Practitioner and currently working as the Lead Physician at Brigham and Women's Menopause and Midlife Clinic in the Fish Center for Women’s Health and as a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. She is a board-certified family medicine physician, specializing in women's health, menopause care, and weight management medicine.

She received her M.D. from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed her residency with an obstetrics and women's health track at Saint Joseph Hospital Family Medicine Residency in Denver, Colorado. She then completed a two-year specialized women's health fellowship with me at Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Iyer is also board-certified in Obesity Medicine and works as an attending physician at the Center for Weight Management and Wellness within the Endocrine Division of Brigham and Women's Hospital. She intends to foster stronger clinical and research partnerships between the Division of Women’s Health and the Center for Weight Management and Wellness, to create a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to the management of midlife women’s health issues.

About Dr. Tiffany Cochran

Tiffany Cochran, MD is an Internist and Women's Health Specialist at Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services (BJHCHS). She sees patients at the Port Royal Medical Center in Port Royal, South Carolina

Dr. Cochran graduated from the Specialized Women's Health Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. She received her Bachelor of Science from Valdosta State University and her Doctorate of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Cochran also has an MA in Healthcare Administration.

About Dr. Oluwatosin Goje

Oluwatosin Goje, MD who leads the Reproductive Infectious Diseases Program at Cleveland Clinic, is an Obstetrician Gynecologist fellowship-trained in Infectious Diseases from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.

women's health, vaginal yeast infections, yeast infection, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, VVC, vaginitis, Candida, yeast, vulva, vagina, vaginal infection

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