Can diabetes cause yeast infections? It can raise the chance. NIDDK says women with diabetes are more likely to have yeast infections because yeast can grow more easily when blood sugar is higher. Yeast infections are common in people without diabetes too.
Key takeaways
- NIDDK, CDC, Mayo Clinic, and WHO all list diabetes, especially when blood sugar is not well managed, as a risk for yeast infections.
- CDC puts women with diabetes in its "complicated" group, which can need a longer course of treatment from a clinician.
- The same symptoms can come from bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection. Womenshealth.gov says two out of three women who buy yeast infection medicine do not really have a yeast infection.
- Men can get yeast infections too. It often shows up as redness and itching on the head of the penis.
- See a clinician for a first infection, for symptoms that stay after treatment, or for infections that keep coming back.
The Short Answer
- Yes, diabetes can raise the chance of a yeast infection. Higher blood sugar gives yeast more to feed on (NIDDK).
- A 2020 review says high blood sugar increases the risk of a first infection and also the risk of it coming back.
- NIDDK says some yeast infections can be treated at home, but to talk with a health care professional first.
- A yeast infection is not a sign of poor hygiene. Recurrent infections are a reason to ask for a check.
Why Does Diabetes Raise the Risk?
NIDDK says yeast organisms grow more easily when blood sugar is higher. WHO says uncontrolled diabetes, with persistently high blood sugar, can promote yeast growth. Mayo Clinic says people with poorly managed blood sugar are at greater risk than people with well-managed blood sugar.
CDC lists diabetes with other risk factors for vaginal yeast infections:
- Pregnancy
- Birth control pills
- A weakened immune system
- Current or recent antibiotic use
The 2020 review adds that the yeast most often found in women with diabetes is Candida albicans. Some diabetes medicines also raise the chance of genital yeast infections. See do SGLT2 inhibitors cause yeast infections?.
What Are the Symptoms?
Womenshealth.gov, WHO, and CDC describe these signs of a vaginal yeast infection:
- Intense itching in and around the vagina
- Burning, redness, and swelling of the vulva
- Pain when passing urine
- Pain during sex
- Soreness
- A thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese and does not have a bad smell
You may have only a few of these. They can be mild or severe.
Is It Really a Yeast Infection?
Not always. MedlinePlus lists other causes of itching and unusual discharge:
| Cause | How it may look |
|---|---|
| Yeast infection | Itching, redness, thick white discharge |
| Bacterial vaginosis | Gray discharge and a fishy smell |
| Sexually transmitted infections | Unusual discharge, itching, or pain |
| Irritants such as sprays, douches, or detergents | Itching and irritation |
| Low estrogen after menopause | Dryness and soreness. See vaginal dryness |
NIDDK says some symptoms of yeast infections are similar to other infections, including sexually transmitted diseases. Womenshealth.gov says using yeast medicine when you do not have a yeast infection can make your body resistant to it, which can make real infections harder to treat later. CDC says unneeded use of over-the-counter products can delay treatment of other causes.
Where Else Can Yeast Show Up?
CDC lists diabetes as a risk factor for several types of candidiasis, which is the medical name for a yeast infection.
| Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vagina and vulva | The most common type. See above |
| Penis | CDC describes balanitis as red areas on the head of the penis with itching or irritation. Men with this benefit from topical antifungal treatment, per CDC |
| Mouth or throat | CDC lists diabetes among the conditions that raise the risk |
| Skin folds | Our guide to itchy skin and diabetes covers yeast as one cause of itching |
Womenshealth.gov says yeast infections are not sexually transmitted infections, but it is possible to pass one to a partner. It says about 15% of men get an itchy rash on the penis after unprotected sex with a woman who has a yeast infection. CDC says data do not support treating the partners of women with a simple infection, but men with balanitis can benefit from treatment. Ask a clinician about your situation.
What Counts as Recurrent?
The sources use slightly different cutoffs.
| Source | Wording |
|---|---|
| CDC | Three or more symptomatic episodes in less than a year, affecting under 5% of women |
| Mayo Clinic | Four or more a year is listed under "complicated yeast infection" and may need a longer treatment course and a plan to prevent them |
| Womenshealth.gov | More than four vaginal yeast infections a year may call for regular doses of antifungal medicine for up to six months |
CDC says recurrent infections can be linked to frequent antibiotic use, diabetes, or other factors, and that many women with recurrent infections have no clear cause. It also says some infections are caused by other kinds of Candida that do not respond as well to usual treatments. That is one reason a clinician may want to test.
Recurrent yeast infections can also be a reason to ask about diabetes screening. Our guide on recurrent UTIs and diabetes explains when to raise it.
Should You Treat It at Home or See a Clinician?
Antifungal creams and suppositories are sold without a prescription. The sources say to be careful.
- First time or unsure. Mayo Clinic says to make an appointment if this is your first time or you are not sure it is a yeast infection.
- Symptoms that stay. CDC says any woman whose symptoms persist after an over-the-counter product, or who has symptoms again within two months, should be evaluated and tested.
- Diabetes. CDC says women with poorly controlled diabetes might not respond as well to short courses. It says conventional treatment of 7 to 14 days is necessary for them. A clinician sets the plan.
- Pregnancy. Womenshealth.gov says creams or suppositories are safe to use in pregnancy, and that the oral fluconazole tablet should not be used. Check with a clinician first.
- Probiotics. CDC says no substantial evidence supports probiotics or homeopathic medicines for treating a yeast infection. Womenshealth.gov says some studies suggest yogurt with live cultures may help prevent them, but more research is needed.
Some yeast infection products can weaken condoms and diaphragms, according to womenshealth.gov. Ask your pharmacist about this.
Can You Lower the Chance of Another One?
Womenshealth.gov and MedlinePlus suggest these steps:
- Do not douche or use scented feminine products.
- Wear underwear with a cotton crotch and avoid tight clothes.
- Change out of wet swimsuits and workout clothes soon.
- Wipe from front to back.
- Avoid hot tubs and very hot baths.
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under good control.
The last step is a team effort. Do not change your diabetes medicines to try to prevent infections. Your care team sets your target and your plan.
When to Get Help
| What is happening | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| First yeast infection symptoms, or you are not sure | Make an appointment (Mayo Clinic) |
| Symptoms that do not go away after over-the-counter treatment | See a clinician (Mayo Clinic, CDC) |
| Symptoms again within two months, or several infections a year | See a clinician for testing (CDC) |
| Discharge with fever or pelvic or belly pain | Contact your provider right away (MedlinePlus) |
| Pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling in the genital or perineal area with fever or feeling very unwell | A warning sign in the labels for SGLT2 inhibitor medicines. Get urgent medical care |
Questions to Ask Your Care Team
- Is this a yeast infection, or should we test for something else?
- Do my blood sugar readings suggest I should adjust my diabetes plan?
- How long should treatment last for someone with diabetes?
- If I keep getting infections, what testing do you recommend?
- Could any of my medicines raise my chance of yeast infections?
- Does my partner need to be checked?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetes cause yeast infections?
Diabetes can raise the chance of yeast infections. NIDDK says yeast organisms grow more easily when blood sugar is higher, and CDC lists diabetes as a risk factor for vaginal candidiasis. People without diabetes get yeast infections too, so a yeast infection does not by itself mean you have diabetes.
Why do yeast infections keep coming back with diabetes?
A 2020 review says high blood sugar raises the risk of recurrence as well as of a first infection. CDC says recurrent infections can be linked to diabetes, antibiotic use, or other factors, and that some are caused by other types of Candida that respond less well to usual treatment. A clinician can test and plan treatment.
Can men with diabetes get yeast infections?
Yes. CDC describes balanitis as red areas on the head of the penis with itching or irritation and says topical antifungal treatment can relieve symptoms. See a clinician, because other conditions can look similar.
Can I treat a yeast infection at home if I have diabetes?
Nonprescription antifungal creams and suppositories exist, but NIDDK says to talk with a health care professional first. CDC says women with diabetes might need a longer course, and that anyone whose symptoms stay after treatment or come back within two months should be tested.
Does high blood sugar make a yeast infection worse?
Mayo Clinic and WHO link poorly managed blood sugar to a higher chance of yeast infections. CDC says women with poorly controlled diabetes might not respond as well to short-term treatment. Ask your care team how your blood sugar and your plan fit together.
When should I see a doctor about a yeast infection?
See a clinician if it is your first infection, if you are not sure what it is, if symptoms do not go away after over-the-counter treatment, or if infections keep returning. Contact your provider right away for discharge with fever or pelvic or belly pain.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Diabetes, Sexual, & Bladder Problems." National Institutes of Health. Accessed November 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Vulvovaginal Candidiasis." Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. Last reviewed July 22, 2021. Accessed November 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Candidiasis." Page dated October 19, 2026. Accessed November 2026.
- Office on Women's Health. "Vaginal yeast infections." womenshealth.gov. Accessed November 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. "Yeast infection (vaginal): Symptoms and causes." Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Accessed November 2026.
- World Health Organization. "Candidiasis (yeast infection)." Fact sheet. Accessed November 2026.
- MedlinePlus. "Vaginal discharge." National Library of Medicine. Accessed November 2026.
- Barbagallo F, Mongioì LM, Cannarella R, La Vignera S, Condorelli RA, Calogero AE. "Sexual Dysfunction in Diabetic Women: An Update on Current Knowledge." Diabetology. 2020;1(1):11-21. Accessed November 2026.
- Tajane SB, Pawar S, Patil S. "Revisiting the History of Candidiasis." Cureus. 2025;17(2):e78878. Accessed November 2026.
Next Steps
Keep a short note of when symptoms started, what you used, and how long they lasted, and bring it to your clinician. If infections keep returning, ask whether testing and a review of your diabetes plan make sense.
For adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes who want optional lifestyle education alongside medical care, the Done With Diabetes™ program, a set of lifestyle changes for type 2 diabetes, organizes lifestyle education about food, movement, sleep, and stress. It does not diagnose or treat yeast infections or diabetes, interpret symptoms or test results, change medicines, or replace your care team.