Can you have clumpy discharge without a yeast infection

Most healthy vaginas have yeast.  But sometimes your yeast grows too much and leads to an infection. Yeast infections can be very irritating and uncomfortable.

What causes yeast infections?

A vaginal yeast infection, which is also sometimes called vulvovaginal candidiasis, happens when the healthy yeast that normally lives in your vagina grows out of control. It often leads to itching and other irritating symptoms. The medical name for a yeast infection is "candidiasis," because they’re usually caused by a type of yeast called candida.

If your vaginal chemistry gets thrown off balance, the normal yeast that live in your vagina can grow too much and lead to an infection. Some things that can cause changes in your vagina’s environment are:

  • normal changes in hormone levels (like during your menstrual cycle)

  • antibiotics, cortisone, and other drugs

  • pregnancy

  • diabetes

  • a weak immune system

  • a natural reaction to another person's genital chemistry

Yeast infections can happen on penises and scrotums too, but it’s not as common. They can cause redness and irritation on your penis or scrotum.

Yeast infections aren’t an STD. They aren’t contagious, and can’t spread to another person during sex. But sexual contact sometimes leads to yeast infections — your body chemistry can have a bad reaction to another person’s natural genital yeast and bacteria, which causes yeast to grow.

People can also get a yeast infection on their mouth, throat, or tongue — that’s called "thrush."

Yeast infections often cause thick, white, clumpy vaginal discharge that usually doesn’t smell (or only smells slightly different than normal). You might also have a creamy, whitish coating in and around your vagina.

Most yeast infections lead to itching, burning, and/or redness in or around the vagina. Vaginal itching usually gets worse the longer you have the infection. Sex may be uncomfortable or painful. In extreme cases, you can get fissures or sores on your vagina or vulva. If you have lots of irritation, it may sting when you pee.

How do I treat yeast infections?

Yeast infections can usually be cured easily in a few days with anti-fungal medicine. You can get medicated creams or suppositories for yeast infections (like Monistat and other brands) at a drugstore, over-the-counter without a prescription.

Make sure you follow the directions and use all of the medicine, even if your symptoms go away before you finish. You can also treat yeast infections with a single pill that you swallow (called Diflucan or Fluconazole). You need a prescription from your doctor to get the yeast infection pill.

Don’t have vaginal or oral sex, or put anything into your vagina, until you’ve finished treatment and your infection goes away. Friction from sex can cause more irritation or make it harder to heal. And some medicines that you use in your vagina have oil in them, which can cause condoms to break.

Even though yeast infections can be really itchy, try not to scratch. It can make irritation worse or cause cuts in your skin, which can spread germs and lead to more infection. There are over-the-counter creams that you can use on your vulva to help calm the irritation. Your doctor can also give you tips on relieving burning and itching.  

If you finish your treatment and your symptoms persist for more than a week, talk to your nurse or doctor to see what’s going on. You may require further treatment or something else may be causing the irritation. You can always schedule an appointment at your local Planned Parenthood health center.

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Your vaginal discharge can say a lot about what’s going on inside your body. In the case of a yeast infection, your discharge is speaking loud and clear! It’s often thick, white and clumpy like cottage cheese. It doesn’t seem normal, and it usually comes along with other yeast infection symptoms like itching, soreness, irritation and burning. Those symptoms, along with the tell-tale clumpy discharge, can indicate that you may have a vaginal yeast infection.

Helpful Tip: If you are experiencing symptoms of an infection, but think that it might not be a yeast infection, use our Symptom Checker to help determine if you need to see a doctor.

What Causes Vaginal Yeast Infections

A vaginal yeast infection occurs when Candida, a fungus (yeast) normally found in areas like the mouth, digestive tract and vagina, begins to multiply and invade the vaginal tissue. Normally, Candida functions alongside other microorganisms in a delicate balance. When the balance is disrupted, an overgrowth of Candida can lead to a yeast infection.

Treat The Symptoms

Once you know what it is, the next step is treating a yeast infection. After your doctor confirms that it's a yeast infection, you can take a deep breath and reach for MONISTAT®. MONISTAT®  works right at the site of the infection so it relieves symptoms 4X faster than the leading prescription treatment. 

When to See Your Healthcare Professional

As you pay attention to your vaginal discharge, you will learn to recognize what is normal for you, and what may be signaling a problem—especially if you experience other symptoms at the same time, like pain, itching and irritation. Only you know your body. If you have vaginal discharge that doesn’t seem normal for you (with or without other symptoms), talk to your healthcare professional.

Check Your Symptoms

See what your vaginal discharge and other symptoms may be telling you.

Can you have clumpy discharge without a yeast infection

Can you have clumpy discharge without a yeast infection

Do you have a yeast infection?

Answer a few questions and find out what your symptoms mean.

Which MONISTAT® Product is Right for You?

MONISTAT® 1

Monistat® 1 Combination Pack is a single-dose product (1200 mg of miconazole nitrate) may be the perfect solution for busy women with active lifestyles. Available in Ovule® form. Use as directed.  

MONISTAT® 3

MONISTAT® 3 is a great treatment option for women who want a less concentrated treatment (200 mg of miconazole nitrate per dose) that provides consistent treatment and relief at moderate dosage levels. Available in Ovule®, cream and suppository forms. Use as directed. 

MONISTAT® 7

The MONISTAT® 7 suite of products is the low dose formula (100 mg of miconazole nitrate per dose), with smaller doses of the active ingredient evenly distributed throughout the week at bedtime. The CDC recommends 7-day treatment for pregnant women and diabetic women (consult a doctor before use).  Available in cream form. Use as directed.

Opinions, content and any information expressed on or linked with this website, are intended to be general in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek medical advice from your professional healthcare provider.

Can you have clumpy discharge without a yeast infection

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Why is my discharge kind of clumpy?

If you're experiencing a thick, white discharge that can be described as clumpy or clotted, you may be experiencing discharge from a yeast infection. The vagina does a wonderful job of maintaining the pH balance of an entire spectrum of bacteria and fungi that live in it.

Why is my discharge chunky but no yeast infection?

Thick white vaginal discharge accompanied by symptoms like itching and burning could be a yeast infection. In other cases, thick white discharge can indicate normal changes in hormones due to your menstrual cycle, birth control, or pregnancy.

Why do I have clumpy discharge but no itching?

“A thick, white discharge can be standard, especially if you're not experiencing any abnormal smell or itchiness with it,” Dr. Goje says. Thick, white discharge usually happens between your period and ovulation. The texture could be sticky and paste-like or creamy, almost like the texture of yogurt.

What can mimic a yeast infection discharge?

8 Common Conditions Often Mistaken for a Yeast Infection.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) ... .
Cytolytic Vaginosis (CV) ... .
Allergic reaction (contact dermatitis) ... .
Genital herpes. ... .
Genital warts. ... .
Trichomoniasis ("trich") ... .
Gonorrhea‍ ... .
Hemorrhoids..