Yeast Infection Treatment Overview

When to see a healthcare provider

You can usually treat yeast infections by yourself at home, but there are times when you should call a healthcare provider. See a provider for any of the following:

• Symptoms don’t go away within a few days of completing the treatment. If symptoms are getting worse, follow up with a doctor.
• You’ve never had a yeast infection. It is important to be sure it’s a yeast infection. There are other vaginal infections that can cause similar symptoms, such as bacterial vaginosis and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• If you have had more than 4 yeast infections within a 12-month period, talk to your doctor. Frequent yeast infections can be a sign of an underlying health issue like diabetes or problems with the immune system. It could also mean that your infection is caused by an unusual type of yeast that needs a different treatment.
• You’re pregnant and have symptoms of a yeast infection.

Getting diagnosed

Usually a yeast infection can be diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam that includes a pelvic exam. This is similar to the exam for a pap smear. A vaginal sample is taken using a swab and examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes a doctor will do additional samples to check for other vaginal infections, like bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. These infections can sometimes cause symptoms similar to a yeast infection.

What to expect from your visit

• Your healthcare provider will diagnose you based on your symptoms, an examination, and possibly testing.
• If you have a yeast infection, and OTC medications were not effective, your doctor may want you to take an oral antifungal medication.
• Most women will get some relief within 24-48 hours of starting treatment. In some cases, you may need to repeat the treatment.
• If you continue to get yeast infections, your doctor may recommend boric acid vaginal suppositories, which are available over the counter. This helps treat and prevent yeast infections.
• If you have a different type of bacterial infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics to treat it.

Prescription yeast infection medications

• Prescription topical antifungals: creams or suppositories applied internally to the vagina.
  • Butoconazole (Gynazole-1)
  • Terconazole (Terazol 3, Terazol 7)
• Fluconazole (Diflucan). Taken by mouth (not recommended if you’re pregnant).

Types of providers

• A primary care provider can treat mild or moderate symptoms.
• A gynecologist (ob/gyn doctor) can also manage mild or moderate symptoms. You might be referred to an ob/gyn for complicated or recurring yeast infections.
• Urgent care or emergency medicine (ER) doctors can also diagnose and treat yeast infections if it’s an evening or weekend.

How to treat a yeast infection at home

If you’ve had a yeast infection before, you’ll probably recognize the symptoms—itching and burning of the vulva (external female genitals) and vagina, irritated red skin, and thick white vaginal discharge. You can usually treat a yeast infection with OTC antifungal cream or a vaginal suppository.

These yeast infection treatments are inserted into the vagina and applied to the vulva. They contain an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole, miconazole, or tioconazole. The treatment can be a one-day course to as long as 7 days.

Symptoms should start improving 24–48 hours after beginning treatment. Make sure you finish the entire course, even if symptoms are getting better.

If you have yeast infections that don’t go away with antifungal treatments or they keep returning, your doctor may recommend using boric acid vaginal suppositories, typically once a week. They’re available over the counter, but you talk to your doctor before trying them.

Over-the-counter yeast infection treatment

• Topical antifungal creams and suppositories
  • Miconazole (Monistat, Vagisil)
  • Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin)
  • Tioconazole (Trosyd)
• Boric acid vaginal suppositories

At-home tips to help a yeast infection

These at-home steps can help a yeast infection. They can also prevent future infections.

• Avoid scented soaps and bubble baths.
• Change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty clothing as soon as you can.
• Wear cotton underwear.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Tight synthetic fabrics retain moisture.
• Do not douche. It damages the protective lining of the vagina and destroys good bacteria that control overgrowth of yeast.
• Take prescription medications as directed by your doctor (especially medications to treat diabetes, since high blood sugar can lead to more frequent yeast infections).