Vaginal Yeast Infections

You have a number of treatment options for a vaginal yeast infection, including nonprescription vaginal medicine, prescription oral or vaginal medicine, or nonprescription vaginal boric acid capsules.

Only use nonprescription vaginal yeast infection treatment without a doctor's diagnosis and advice if you:

• Are not pregnant.
• Are sure your symptoms are caused by a vaginal yeast infection. If you have never been diagnosed with a vaginal yeast infection, see your doctor.
• Have not been exposed to a Reference sexually transmitted infection (STI) Opens New Window, which would require a medical exam.
• Are not having multiple, recurrent infections.

The risk of self-treatment is that your symptoms may be caused by another vaginal infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that requires different treatment. If you may have been exposed to an STI, it is best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor before using a nonprescription medicine. Your doctor may recommend testing for STI if you have risk factors for these infections.

Opens New Window Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself? Opens New Window

Yeast infection during pregnancy

Vaginal yeast infections are common during Reference pregnancy, likely caused by elevated Reference estrogen Opens New Window levels. If you are pregnant, don't assume you have a yeast infection until it is diagnosed, and don't use nonprescription medicines without discussing your symptoms with your doctor.

Reference Vaginal medicine is often used to treat a vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy.

Recurrent yeast infection

For a vaginal yeast infection that recurs within 2 months of treatment, or four times in 1 year (Reference recurrent vaginal yeast infection), see your doctor. Further testing or a different treatment may be needed. If you have been using a nonprescription medicine for your vaginal symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. This information could affect what treatment is recommended.

Recurrent vaginal yeast infection can be treated with Reference prescription oral medicine, Reference nonprescription vaginal medicine, or Reference vaginal boric acid capsules, followed by less frequent suppressive or maintenance therapy over 6 months to 1 year to prevent reinfection.^{Reference 1}

A vaginal yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). After having unprotected sex with a partner who has a yeast infection, you may have more than the normal amount of yeast in your vagina. But if after having sex you develop a yeast infection that causes symptoms, it is most likely because other factors are also involved.

What to think about

It is important to complete the entire recommended treatment to cure a yeast infection.

Vaginal infections caused by types of yeast other than Candida albicans may be more difficult to cure with standard antifungal medicine. For treatment-resistant infections, a Reference culture Opens New Window of vaginal discharge is done to identify the type of yeast causing the infection.

Boric acid is usually effective for treating Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection, and non–C. albicans yeast infections that don't respond to antifungal medicine.^{Reference 1}

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.