As noted in this section (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Yeast_Infection#Can_YIs_go_away_on_their_own_without_treatment.3F__Are_they_dangerous.3F) of our Vulvapedia entry, YIs rarely cause any serious health problems.
Most of the sites I've seen that state otherwise are not reliable resources (i.e. they're selling YI products); more reliable sources generally agree that untreated YIs in people who are not immunocompromised (i.e. don't have conditions like HIV / AIDS or leukemia) do not pose a serious risk.
For instance:
NYC Department of Health: (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/stdm1.shtml) Discomfort and inconvenience are the worst problems associated with a yeast infection.
The Alexander Foundation for Women's Health (http://www.afwh.org/articles/paid/yeastinfections.htm) notes that prolonged and untreated YIs can lead to vulvar sensitivity and vestibulitis (an inflammation of the vestibule area of the vulva).
The National Women's Health Resource Centre (http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/yeastinfections/treatment) says that there is a "small chance" that an untreated infection can involve into a more serious pelvic infection.
Basically -- if you haven't had any symptoms, and your doctor today didn't notice anything amiss other than the yeast, it's a good bet you have nothing to worry about. Your vagina will almost certainly be just fine!
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Date: 2008-07-30 09:46 pm (UTC)Most of the sites I've seen that state otherwise are not reliable resources (i.e. they're selling YI products); more reliable sources generally agree that untreated YIs in people who are not immunocompromised (i.e. don't have conditions like HIV / AIDS or leukemia) do not pose a serious risk.
For instance:
NYC Department of Health: (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/stdm1.shtml)
Discomfort and inconvenience are the worst problems associated with a yeast infection.
The Alexander Foundation for Women's Health (http://www.afwh.org/articles/paid/yeastinfections.htm) notes that prolonged and untreated YIs can lead to vulvar sensitivity and vestibulitis (an inflammation of the vestibule area of the vulva).
The National Women's Health Resource Centre (http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/yeastinfections/treatment) says that there is a "small chance" that an untreated infection can involve into a more serious pelvic infection.
Basically -- if you haven't had any symptoms, and your doctor today didn't notice anything amiss other than the yeast, it's a good bet you have nothing to worry about. Your vagina will almost certainly be just fine!