Vaginal Yeast Infections: Medicine, Creams, and Pills

Written by Rebecca Buffum Taylor

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on March 21, 2023

• Yeast Infection  Creams
• Yeast Infection Pills 
• Medication Tips for Yeast Infections
• When to Call Your Doctor

You can treat many yeast infections with over-the-counter creams or suppositories that you can buy without a prescription, especially if this isn’t the first time you’ve had a yeast infection and you recognize the symptoms.

But if you get yeast infections often or they’re severe, you may need a prescription medication. Not sure? Then you need to talk to your doctor.

For bad yeast infections, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal vaginal cream. These usually come packaged with an applicator that helps you measure the right dose.

You can get a range of similar yeast infection medications without a prescription, too. Some are creams you apply inside the vagina. Others are suppositories or tablets you place in your vagina and let dissolve. Most large drugstores and supermarkets sell them.

Many yeast infection treatments come in 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day strengths. Over-the-counter vaginal creams and other products you can buy often have the same ingredients to fight a yeast infection as the medication your doctor might prescribe, but in less-concentrated doses.

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin and Mycelex)
• Miconazole (Micatin and Monistat)
• Tioconazole (Vagistat-1)

There are also creams that cover different strains of yeast. You’ll have to have a prescription for these:

• Butoconazole (Gynazole-1)
• Terconazole (Terazol)

In general, the more concentrated the drug, the shorter the time you have to take it. A vaginal cream that has the number 7 after its name, for instance, would usually be used for 7 days. If the same product name had a 3, it would be a more concentrated version of the vaginal cream and you’d only need it for 3 days.

Your doctor may also prescribe a steroid cream for a few days to ease more serious inflammation, redness, and soreness at the opening of the vagina and the surrounding tissue, called the vulva. 

Over-the-counter yeast infection creams

Vaginal creams without prescriptions also come with applicators that measure the right dose. Read all package directions carefully first. Vaginal creams can be messy and may leak out during the day, so — depending on how bad your infection is — you might want to use them only at bedtime.

When you use a vaginal cream that’s oil-based, you may need to use birth control that’s not a condom or diaphragm, or skip sex while you’re using the cream. That’s because the oil in the cream could damage the latex in a condom or diaphragm.

Yeast infection suppositories

Medications in vaginal creams (such as clotrimazole and miconazole) may also be available as vaginal tablets or suppositories. You put these into your vagina and let them dissolve. Some brands call them “ovules” because they’re oval-shaped. These products often come packaged with a plastic inserter that helps you get the medication to the right place.

One benefit of a suppository is that it’s less messy than a vaginal cream and less likely to ooze out during the day. Another benefit of tablets or suppositories is that you use the doses for fewer days, so you get relief from your symptoms sooner.

Safety tips for OTC yeast infection treatment

Before you use any of these products, you need to know for sure that you have a yeast infection, not something else. See your doctor if you’re not sure because using the wrong medicine can make an infection harder to diagnose.

Always follow the package directions exactly. Pay special attention to how often to use the product and how much to use. You need to get those two things right because the dose targets the growth cycle of the yeast.

Complete the whole treatment, even if you feel better.

Antifungal medications can change the way some drugs work. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking an antifungal if you are taking other medications.

No matter which yeast infection treatment you try, see your doctor if your symptoms don’t clear up after you finish it.

If you have a severe infection, your doctor might prescribe an oral medication. The new drug ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme) is taken twice a day for one day and targets the specific fungal cells behind the infection. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is a pill that kills fungus and yeast throughout your body.  You would take fluconazole for a week — every third day (days 1, 4, and 7) — initially, for three doses total. Then, your doctor might have you take it weekly for 6 months to make sure the yeast infection doesn’t come back. Side effects for either include stomach upset, diarrhea. or headaches for a short time afterward.

You shouldn’t take either of these oral medications to treat yeast infections if you’re pregnant.

The antifungal oteseconazole (Vivjoa) has been approved for people who have repeated infections and who are not able to get pregnant, either because they’re postmenopausal or are permanently infertile. Infertility might be because you’ve had your uterus or your ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, or you’ve had your tubes tied (tubal ligation).  

Take the full course. Use all the pills or creams, even if your symptoms go away before you run out of the medicine.

Keep in mind that vaginal creams, vaginal tablets, and suppositories may be made with oil, which can damage condoms and diaphragms. So you’ll need to use another birth control method or not have sex during treatment if you don’t want to get pregnant.

Never take any medication — or even use a nonprescription vaginal cream — while you’re pregnant unless you’ve spokento your doctor about it first.

Reach out to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your prescription and how to take your medicine. Check in with your doctor’s office if your symptoms don’t disappear after you finish taking all your medicine as prescribed.

See your doctor if you have four or more vaginal yeast infections in a year. It could be a condition called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. It’s not common, but if you have it, you may need to take an antifungal medication for up to 6 months.

Frequent, repeated yeast infections can also be a sign of a resistant strain or more serious condition, including untreated diabetes. Your doctor can help you figure out what the problem is.

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10 Ways to Prevent Candidal Vulvovaginitis

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD on September 20, 2021

If you’re like 75% of women, you’ll get at least one yeast infection during your lifetime. Half will get two or more.

You’re more likely to get one when you:

• Are pregnant
• Have diabetes
• Have a weakened immune system
• Take antibiotics
• Use birth control with high doses of the hormone estrogen
• Use douches or vaginal sprays

It may not be possible for all women to prevent yeast infections, but here’s what you can do to lower your odds.

1. Wear breathable underwear. Cotton is your best choice. It doesn’t hold onto heat or moisture. It will help keep you dry.
2. Keep things loose. Make sure your jeans, skirts, underwear, yoga pants, tights, pantyhose, etc. aren’t too snug. They can boost your body temperature and increase the amount of moisture around your private parts. That raises your chances for a yeast infection.
3. Don’t douche. “Feminine hygiene products” like douches can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina by removing some of the good bacteria that’s supposed to be there to fight off infections. And skip the scent in feminine products. This includes bubble baths, soaps, sprays, tampons, and pads.
4. Avoid hot tubs and extra hot baths. Hot and damp are never your friends.
5. Change out of wet clothes. Don’t sit in a wet bathing suit after you go swimming or damp workout gear after the gym. Change into dry clothes right away.
6. In the bathroom, always wipe from front to back.
7. When on your period, change your tampons, pads, and panty liners often.
8. Manage your diabetes. If you have it, be sure to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels and keep them under control.
9. Use antibiotics only when you have to. You don’t need them for conditions like a cold, because they don’t do anything against a virus. If you don’t have to, don’t take them.
10. Eat yogurt that contains active cultures to add to the good bacteria that help your body control yeast.

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Candidiasis: faces, as prescribed for treatment

Synonyms:
Thrush

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Editorial team

Creation date: 04/27/2021
Update date: 07/19/2023

Candidiasis is a disease caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, mainly Candida albicans.

Global views

Candida albicans is often present in the middle of the human body (in 30% of people) in a small number, for example, in the mouth, stool, intestines, and without any problems. To that, new people can be infected, if they pass through the fur under the curtains.

You can see the risk group:

• people with a weakened immune system and a low number of leukocytes in the blood, for example, ailments for SNID, leukemia (for leukemia) or patients who rejoice in cancer,

• ailments for diabetes,

• women,

• people who are taking strong medications (including antibiotics, oral contraceptives, corticosteroids).

Causes of candidiasis presence in the body.

Others in the body blame the mind, susceptible to the growth and reproduction of these microorganisms (when it causes thrush). To friendly minds, you can see the damage to the integrity of the skin’s curves and mucous membranes, the decrease in the immunity of the person, the change in the acidity of the medium in the lungs, the fluidity, the high water content of the nervous medium and warmth.

Symptoms

The fungus can attack the skin and mucous membranes. Most often there are mucous membranes of the mouth (oral candidiasis), empty, intestines and pihvi (vaginal candidiasis), folds of the skin under the milk folds in the garden women, or the foreskin of uncircumcised human beings, de warmly and freely.

What can you do about candidiasis? The main meta in this species was trimati її under control, so that it did not multiply too much.

What can a doctor do? Call for such antifungal drugs as fluconazole, clotrimazole and miconazole. They can be prescribed by a doctor, and others are available without a prescription. However, before the cob of likuvannya, one should consult with a doctor.

If candidiasis recurs often (2-3 times per rіk), we should talk about possible treatment options with your liking doctor, but there are also some ways that you can reduce the symptoms there is a re-infection with thrush.

Preventive visits in case of candidiasis

As it was said earlier, they are officials, yak to shy people down to thrush. Obviously, ailments for blood diabetes, SNID or leukemia are guilty of obov’yazkovo otrimuvannya (how to recognize the drug).

Іnhim varto dotrimuvatisya sevnyh rules, yakі podmozhut zabіgti viniknennia i recurrence of thrush.

Thus, body exfoliation in dryness and airing (repeated baths) reduce the immunity of Candida albicans. Living in live yoghurt, to avenge acidophilic cultures, or acidophilic additives (to avenge non-small lactobacilli), may help the growth of normal flora of people and prevent the reproduction of candida. Next to the uniqueness of the great number of zucru in їzhі, as well as the transcendental use of alcohol and cavi.

Respect! Symptom card is recognized as exclusive for lighting purposes. Do not engage in self-deception; with good food, as if you are suffering from illness and ways of yogo rejoicing, go to the doctor. Our site does not bear any responsibility for the references, caused by the wrong placement on the new information.

Chemotherapy Thrush – Biovestin

A vaginal yeast infection called Candida Albicans or colloquially called thrush can cause discomfort. Vaginal yeast infections are very common. Symptoms include:

• Itching and burning in the vagina. The mucous membranes and skin are red and inflamed.
• Thick white curdled discharge. However, in some women, thrush can occur without such symptoms.
• Pain or discomfort during intercourse.

What causes a vaginal yeast infection?

Yeast fungi like to live in warm, humid environments. Yeast cannot reproduce due to the acidic environment in the vagina. As soon as the acid balance of the vagina changes (the acid balance becomes too low), the yeast begins to grow and flourish. Cause too low acid balance can:

• pregnancy;
• often thrush occurs after the menstrual cycle;
• diabetes mellitus;
• steroid preparations;
• drugs used during chemotherapy;
• Vaginal irritation can also lead to yeast growth.

Chemotherapy takes a serious toll on the entire body. Thrush is far from the only side effect that occurs in the treatment of cancer

Side effects of chemotherapy

Side effects from chemotherapy vary. Among the most common side effects are feeling tired, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, and body hair loss (due to the effect of the drugs on the DNA of the hair follicles). Every cancer patient reacts differently to a combination of chemotherapy drugs. It is very important to remember that these side effects are temporary and gradually disappear after the end of the course of chemotherapy.

The most common side effects are vomiting and nausea, fatigue (anemia and neutropenia), diarrhea and constipation, weight changes and hair loss. Less common side effects are described here (remember, they are usually associated with chemotherapy that affects fast-growing cells):

• General skin changes. They include:
  • itching;
  • redness;
  • dryness and flaking;
  • pimples and blackheads;
  • sun sensitivity;
  • brittle or discolored nails;
  • herpes zoster.
• Headaches.

The doctor may ask the patient to use over-the-counter headache pills other than aspirin, or suggest another medication option. Aspirin is not recommended due to blood-thinning reactions and its effect on the gastric mucosa, which is likely to be more sensitive due to chemotherapy.

• Muscle pain.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs or give you a prescription for stronger pain relievers. Sometimes light massage is recommended for these pains.

• Burning or painful sensation during urination.

It is important to report these symptoms to your doctor so that you can be checked for a bladder infection. If this is the cause, they will give you medicine to protect and treat the infection.

• Discolored urine.

Sometimes this discoloration is due to a bladder infection and the doctor will check the tests and then prescribe medicine to fight the infection

Sometimes discoloration is caused by the type of chemo you are using and you have nothing to worry about. The color can be red, orange, bright yellow or blue-green. There may be a medicinal smell. Your urine color will return to normal after you are done with chemotherapy.

• Vaginal infections (itching, burning, redness, odorous white or grayish discharge from the vagina; if you have these symptoms, contact your doctor to get the correct type of ointment to control the infection).

Soft tissue changes after chemotherapy may increase the chance of vaginal infections. What can be done to avoid these problems?

• Wear cotton underwear.
• Avoid wearing nylon tights.
• Avoid wearing jeans or tight trousers.
• Avoid using petroleum jelly in or around the vagina (this may increase the chance of infection because it is not water-based)

• Mouth and throat changes

Chemotherapy can cause sores or ulcers in the mouth and on the oral mucosa. These injuries can be very painful.

• While you’re on chemotherapy, your white blood cell count, which helps fight infection, goes down. The most common infection is called thrush or candidiasis.
  • This is a fungal infection in the mouth.
  • White patches or white coating on the tongue and oral mucosa.
  • Thrush most often occurs in the vagina.
  • Should be treated with antifungal drugs.
  • It may take several days before you notice relief.
• Dry mouth, meaning that there is very little saliva in the mouth. Swallowing problems may occur. Drink plenty of water and soft juices such as apple or carrot juice.
• Inflamed or bleeding gums. The patient may notice this only when brushing his teeth or when eating. Avoid hard, sugary, or acidic foods or drinks (such as vinegary salad dressing)
• Changes in your tastes and smells. A side effect of some chemotherapy drugs is a change in how you feel. Sometimes there is a metallic taste that causes the food and drinks you often like to suddenly taste bad. Rinse your mouth with small sips of water before eating.
• Prickling, burning sensation in hands or feet. You must tell your doctor about this. This may mean that chemotherapy is damaging your nerves and the provider may change the medications.
• Fever. If body temperature exceeds 38°, call your doctor. The high fever is probably caused by some kind of infection.
• Chill. If you feel like you’re shivering or shivering and can’t get warm, call your doctor. It’s probably due to some kind of infection.
• Fluid retention. Some of the chemotherapy drugs cause fluid retention. Doctors don’t usually want patients to take a diuretic to get rid of excess fluid while you’re on chemotherapy. They may recommend avoiding foods or drinks with a lot of sodium (like tomato juice) in them.
• Problems with blood clotting.
• General problems with sexuality: gynecomastia, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, vaginal infection and pain in the genitals.

How to treat thrush during chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy thrush is treated in the same way as normal thrush, but should be discussed with the gynecologist’s oncologist to avoid medications that are incompatible with your type of cancer and the drugs used.

Vaginal infections can be difficult to treat during chemotherapy due to the body’s reduced ability to fight infection. Prevention of vaginal yeast infections is very important.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of a vaginal yeast infection (severe itching, burning, or unusual thick discharge). Mild thrush is usually treated with a short course of antifungal medications. Symptoms usually resolve within a week or two.

Treatment may need to be continued longer if you have recurring thrush attacks.

Several thrush medications are available over the counter at pharmacies, while others are only available with a prescription from your GP.

To be highly effective in reducing the chances of developing a vaginal yeast infection:

• Avoid wearing tights, swimwear, nylon panties or tight pants. Do not wear synthetic fiber clothing.
• Cotton panties and loose clothing recommended.
• Avoid scented oils, bubble baths, powders, feminine hygiene sprays, or showers. Sanitary pads and tampons can also affect the acid balance of the vagina.
• Avoid using petroleum jelly as a vaginal lubricant as it may increase the chance and severity of vaginal yeast infections.
• Wipe from the front of your body to the back after using the bathroom. This can prevent any abnormal bacteria from entering the vagina.
• Do not wear wet swimwear or clothing for extended periods of time.
• Make sure your genital area is dry after bathing or showering.

Talk to your doctor about your specific health condition and treatments. Recommendations in this article, as well as on information sites dedicated to cancer and chemotherapy, are nothing more than information that you need to know, but in no case can serve as guidelines for treatment, choice of drugs, etc. Only the attending physician and doctors of related specializations : oncologist, gynecologist, nutritionist – can draw up a competent scheme of drugs and procedures. Which will lead to getting rid of problems.

Main types of drugs prescribed:

• Pessaries are special tablets that are inserted directly into the vagina using a special applicator.
• Intravaginal creams or gels – these are also inserted into the vagina using the applicator
• Oral capsules are swallowed and may be more convenient to use than pessaries or intravaginal cream, but may have more unpleasant side effects such as vomiting or upset stomach.

All of these options are equally effective. You can usually choose the treatment you prefer, although pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take the capsules.

Creams are also recommended for application to the skin around the vaginal opening. They can help reduce itching and soreness, although you may find that a regular emollient (moisturizer) works just as well.

The main components of the preparations are antifungal. There are drugs with prolonged action, so they do not have to be taken for a long time.

Probiotic use

Yeast infections occur when a fungus called Candida grows. There are many different strains of Candida, but Candida albicans is the most common cause of vaginal yeast infections.

Our body is home to trillions of microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. These tiny organisms are harmless and live in colonies. Together they are known as the human microflora or microbiota. Candida is part of the normal human microflora, but sometimes it grows too much. This disrupts your normal microflora, causing a yeast infection.

Probiotics are a set of live microorganisms that are beneficial to your body. Some of the most common probiotics are bacteria called Lactobacillus. The microflora of the vagina contains Lactobacillus. This helps prevent Candida and other bacteria from getting out of control.

Do they really work?

Women have used yogurt, which often contains Lactobacillus, to treat yeast infections for centuries. Recent research suggests that it may be more effective than experts originally thought.

A 2012 study of 129 pregnant women with a yeast infection found that a mixture of antimicrobial honey and yogurt had similar effects to traditional antifungal medications. A mixture of yogurt and honey was better at reducing symptoms, while antifungals were more effective at eliminating fungi. A 2015 study showed similar results in non-pregnant women. The concentrated bacteria in liquid probiotic preparations can be more effective than when using food products containing beneficial microorganisms.

Another 2015 study found that combining prescription antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan) with probiotic vaginal suppositories made the antifungal more effective. The combination also reduced the likelihood of a yeast infection returning. This suggests that probiotics can be very beneficial for women who recur with yeast infections at least four times a year.

It should be remembered that many of the existing studies on the use of probiotics for the treatment of yeast infections are quite rare, so it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions from them. However, these studies also did not find any risks associated with using probiotics to treat a yeast infection.

If a patient is regularly diagnosed with yeast infections or is experiencing side effects from conventional antifungal medications, probiotics may be particularly helpful.

How to use probiotics

Probiotics come in several forms that are used in different ways. You can find them in the form of capsules or suppositories that you insert into your vagina. When choosing a capsule or suppository or a regular liquid preparation with live bacteria, pay attention to the composition. It is important that lactobacilli are present, they are essential for the vaginal microflora to fight pathogenic microflora and fungi.

For a more cost-effective option, you can also use yogurt. Just make sure you choose one with a label that mentions live cultures and Lactobacillus. Avoid yogurts with added sugar or flavorings. Yeast feeds on sugar, so plain yogurt is best for a yeast infection. But still, the best option is 0H liquid remedy.

To use a liquid product, simply fill the applicator or use a syringe. You need to lie down and release a portion of the drug into the vagina. Wait a few minutes before standing up to give the product time to spread. Do not forget. That liquid will flow out and take care of the gaskets. You can also apply the product to the vulva, which is the outer part of the vagina, to reduce itching and burning.

In addition, you should consume supplements and foods rich in probiotics by mouth. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking supplements.

How long do they work?

Studies involving the use of yogurt and honey in the vagina show that this mixture takes about a week to work. On the other hand, oral probiotics may work to improve the vaginal microflora in one to four weeks. If you choose to use oral probiotics, you can still apply the drug to your vulva to help manage your symptoms.

Risks of using probiotics

Bad reactions to probiotics are extremely rare.