Recurrent Yeast Infections: Why They Keep Coming Back and How to Stop Them

Written by Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC · Medically reviewed by Cherlie Joseph, MSN, FNP-BC · Updated November 2026

Recurrent yeast infections means having three or more symptomatic vaginal yeast infections in one year. They usually keep coming back because the first treatment was too short, the infection is a less common yeast species, or a trigger like high blood sugar or frequent antibiotics is still there. The fix is usually a confirmed diagnosis, a longer treatment course, and then a maintenance plan that lasts several months.

What counts as recurrent yeast infections

Most women will have at least one vaginal yeast infection (vulvovaginal candidiasis) in their lifetime. One infection after a course of antibiotics is common and usually clears with a single treatment. The CDC defines recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis as three or more symptomatic episodes within 12 months. At that point, grabbing another over-the-counter cream each time is not enough, because it treats the flare but not the pattern.

Typical symptoms include itching, burning, redness or swelling of the vulva, pain with sex or urination, and a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge that usually has little odor.

Why yeast infections keep coming back

Candida normally lives in the vagina in small amounts. Infections happen when something lets it overgrow. For many people with repeat infections, no single cause is found, but these are the triggers worth checking:

Trigger	Why it matters
Antibiotics	Kill protective vaginal bacteria (lactobacilli) that keep yeast in check
High blood sugar	Uncontrolled diabetes or prediabetes feeds yeast and weakens the response to short treatment
SGLT2 diabetes medicines	Drugs like empagliflozin and dapagliflozin put sugar in the urine; the FDA lists genital yeast infections as a known side effect
Hormones	Higher estrogen from pregnancy or some hormonal therapies can favor yeast growth
Weakened immunity	Steroids, chemotherapy, HIV or other immune conditions
Non-albicans yeast	Species like Candida glabrata respond poorly to fluconazole

Is it really yeast? Why testing matters

Many "recurrent yeast infections" turn out to be something else. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomoniasis, contact irritation from soaps or pads, skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus, and low estrogen around menopause can all cause itching and discharge. Treating them with antifungals will not help, and repeated self-treatment can delay the right diagnosis.

For recurrent or complicated infections, the CDC recommends a vaginal culture or PCR test to confirm yeast and identify the species. This matters because non-albicans species often need a different medicine than fluconazole. Your provider may also check an A1C to look for hidden diabetes, and test for STIs if there is any chance of exposure.

Treatment for recurrent yeast infections

Treatment for recurrent infections has two phases, according to CDC treatment guidelines:

• Induction: a longer first course to fully clear the yeast, such as 7 to 14 days of a vaginal azole cream or suppository, or several doses of oral fluconazole spaced a few days apart.
• Maintenance: once symptoms clear, oral fluconazole once a week for 6 months is the usual approach. If weekly pills are not a good fit, intermittent vaginal antifungal treatment can be considered.

Maintenance controls the infection well while you are on it, but it is not always a permanent cure. Some people relapse after stopping, which is why addressing triggers matters.

Other options your provider may discuss:

• Boric acid vaginal capsules for non-albicans yeast that does not respond to fluconazole. Boric acid is used only inside the vagina; it is poisonous if swallowed and is not used in pregnancy.
• Oteseconazole (Vivjoa), FDA-approved in 2022 to reduce recurrent yeast infections, but only for people who are not of reproductive potential (for example, after menopause), because of possible risk to a pregnancy.
• During pregnancy, the CDC recommends only topical treatments for 7 days. Oral fluconazole is not recommended.

Because recurrent infections need a diagnosis, follow-up and sometimes lab tests, they are best handled with a provider rather than repeated store-bought treatments. A prescription is always decided after reviewing your history.

Habits that lower your risk

• Keep blood sugar in range if you have diabetes or prediabetes. This is one of the most effective changes.
• Ask about yeast before you start antibiotics if you often get one afterward. Some providers plan ahead with a preventive dose.
• Skip douching and scented products. They disrupt healthy vaginal bacteria.
• Wear breathable cotton underwear and change out of wet swimsuits and workout clothes soon, especially in Florida heat.
• Be realistic about probiotics. Studies on probiotics and yogurt for preventing yeast infections are mixed, so they should not replace treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I keep getting yeast infections every month?

Monthly infections often line up with hormone shifts around your period, but they can also mean the infection was never fully cleared, the yeast is a resistant species, or the diagnosis is actually something else such as BV. A culture and a longer treatment plan usually help.

Can my partner give me a yeast infection?

Yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted infection, and routine treatment of male partners is not recommended. A partner with symptoms such as an itchy rash on the penis should get checked.

Is it safe to take fluconazole every week for 6 months?

Weekly fluconazole for 6 months is a standard CDC-recommended plan for recurrent infections. Your provider will review your other medicines and health conditions first, because fluconazole interacts with some drugs and may need liver monitoring in some people.

Sources

• CDC: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, STI Treatment Guidelines
• FDA: Safety announcement on SGLT2 inhibitors (genital infections)
• Contemporary OB/GYN: FDA approves oteseconazole for recurrent yeast infections

Keep reading

• Yeast infection treatment options: OTC creams vs fluconazole
• Fluconazole (Diflucan) guide
• Yeast infections and diabetes
• Browse all conditions and treatments A to Z

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Treatment, including any prescription, is decided by a licensed provider after reviewing your health history. OurTopClinic is not for emergencies; if you have a medical emergency, call 911. OurTopClinic serves adults located in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Learn more at ourtopclinic.com.