Itching, soreness, redness, and overall discomfort in the vaginal area. Pain or burning during urination or sex. Thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese.
Follow the instructions on the back of the medication’s packaging, as they’ll tell you how often the treatment needs to be applied. If you can’t find these products or need financial support, your doctor can prescribe Mycelex (clotrimazole) and Gynezol or Femstat (butoconazole). There are over-the-counter oral treatments as well, such as AZO’s Yeast Plus Dual Relief tablets, but it’s always best to see a doctor before taking an oral treatment, especially if you take other medications.
A brief vaginal exam will most likely be performed, which simply involves the doctor swabbing a sample of your vaginal discharge to diagnose it. [5] X Research source Mild to severe yeast infections won’t go away on their own, so it’s important to contact your doctor if symptoms worsen or persist.
Diflucan is the most popular yeast infection oral medication, but it’s not safe to use while pregnant. If you think there’s a chance of pregnancy or you’re breastfeeding, tell your doctor immediately. [7] X Research source
Symptoms of a yeast infection may not present themselves until after you’ve finished your round of antibiotics.
Not all birth control pills contain estrogen. If you’re susceptible to yeast infections, talk to your doctor about switching to an estrogen-free contraception or progestin-only BCP. [10] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
If you have another chronic or autoimmune condition, be cautious when taking medications that compromise your immune system. Being aware and taking preventative actions can help you avoid future yeast infections. Take care of your general health, as obesity, stress, and poor sleeping habits can contribute to yeast infections.
Doctors generally recommend vaginal creams and suppositories to treat yeast infections in pregnant women, as oral medications could cause complications.
Make sure your juice is 100% cranberry, not cranberry juice cocktail, as the formulated cocktail won’t give you the same health benefits. If you can’t find 100% cranberry juice in your area, try adding a cranberry supplement to your daily vitamins.
Try swapping your morning cereal with a yogurt bowl or picking up a yogurt cup instead of a pudding as your evening snack. Now, yogurt won’t necessarily cure your yeast infection, but it can help prevent it from returning. Some women put plain, live culture yogurt on their vagina like a cream to ease yeast infection symptoms; however, doctors strongly advise against this as it could worsen symptoms. [16] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Try to avoid wine, beer, cheese, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Snack on hard-boiled eggs, nuts, avocados, peaches, and cucumber.
Avoid silk and nylon underwear, as these materials trap moisture.
Instead of douching, let your vagina wash itself—it knows what it’s doing. Use all natural feminine products to reduce your risk of infection.
