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Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?
Get the facts
Your options
- Treat your yeast infection with over-the-counter medicine.
- See your doctor for treatment advice, or wait to see if the infection goes away on its own.
Key points to remember
- A mild vaginal yeast infection may go away without treatment. If you have mild symptoms, you may want to wait to see if that happens.
- If you're not pregnant and you know that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you can treat it yourself with an over-the-counter antifungal medicine.
- If you're not sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you may want to see your doctor instead of treating it yourself. You could have another problem, such as a bacterial vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that needs different treatment.
- If you are pregnant, see your doctor before you treat your symptoms so you can make sure you have a yeast infection. If you do, it can be safely treated with a vaginal medicine.
- Condoms and diaphragms aren't safe to use for birth control when you are using an antifungal cream or suppository. These medicines contain oil, which can weaken rubber.
What is a vaginal yeast infection?
Yeast is a fungus that normally lives in the vagina in small numbers. A vaginal yeast infection means that too many yeast cells are growing in the vagina.
A healthy vagina has many bacteria and a small number of yeast cells. The most common bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, help keep other organisms—like the yeast—under control.
Some things can cause an imbalance between these organisms and can prompt yeast to grow. Taking antibiotics sometimes causes this imbalance. So can the high estrogen levels caused by pregnancy or hormone therapy. So can some health problems, such as diabetes.
Although a yeast infection can cause severe itching, pain, and soreness, it's not likely to lead to serious health problems. But if you get a lot of yeast infections, you may have a medical problem that needs treatment with antifungal medicines.
How is a yeast infection treated?
A one-time vaginal yeast infection is usually treated with either:
- An antifungal cream or suppository inserted into the vagina. You repeat this treatment for several days.
- A prescription antifungal pill you take once.
Another treatment is vaginal boric acid capsules. This may help for a yeast infection that has not gone away with antifungal treatment.1
What are the risks of not treating or treating a vaginal yeast infection?
Not treating. A vaginal yeast infection does not lead to major health problems. And you may find that a mild infection goes away on its own. But you may not be able to go without treatment if you have severe symptoms.
Treating. The biggest risk is treating the wrong problem and delaying diagnosis and treatment of the right one.
If you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection before, you likely know the symptoms and can treat it yourself with an over-the-counter medicine with little risk. But if you aren't sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection and yet you treat it anyway, you might be delaying diagnosis and treatment of your true problem, such as a bacterial vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Treating a yeast infection with a vaginal cream or suppository poses no major risks. This medicine only affects the vaginal area and usually does not cause pain or tenderness.
If you are pregnant and think you have a yeast infection, see a doctor. Don't treat it yourself.
Compare your options
Compare
What is usually involved? |
| |
What are the benefits? |
| |
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
- You use over-the-counter antifungal medicines to treat the infection.
- Medicine is used as a cream or a suppository you insert in your vagina.
- Depending on the medicine, treatment can last 1 to 7 days.
- You avoid the time and cost of a doctor visit.
- Antifungal treatments cure yeast infections in 80 to 90 out of 100 women who have them.2
- If you aren't sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you might be delaying diagnosis and treatment of your true problem.
- Antifungal treatments don't cure yeast infections in 10 to 20 out of 100 women who have them.2
- Condoms and diaphragms are not safe to use for birth control when you are using an antifungal cream or suppository.
- Side effects of vaginal medicines can include burning and soreness when high doses are used.
- These treatments may not work if you get yeast infections often.
- If your symptoms are mild, you can wait to see if they go away on their own.
- You can see your doctor to confirm that you have a yeast infection. If you do, you can treat it with over-the-counter medicine or a pill that your doctor prescribes.
- If you see a doctor, you can know for sure that the problem you are treating is a yeast infection.
- If your problem is not a yeast infection, your doctor can prescribe the right treatment.
- For pregnant women, seeing a doctor is the safest choice.
- There are no real risks or side effects. But you may spend time and money on a doctor visit that you did not need. Or your infection may not get better on its own, so you'd still need to get treatment.
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
Personal stories about self-treating a possible vaginal yeast infection
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
During my pregnancy, I developed terribly uncomfortable vaginal yeast symptoms that just about drove me crazy. I knew it was a yeast infection, but since I was pregnant, I just didn't want to do anything I shouldn't. So I went for a quick check, and my nurse midwife sent me right off to get some over-the-counter cream. She told me that even though I'd been right about my diagnosis, I'd done the right thing to see her first. Sometimes it isn't what you think it is, and you never know what medicines are safe when you're pregnant.
Anna, age 24
I started getting a vaginal itch last week, which I've had diagnosed before as a yeast infection. Although I was going to get some medicine right away, my sister reminded me that sometimes they go away on their own. After a few days, it was better. If it comes back again, I'll probably try a vaginal cream, but for now it seems okay.
Darla, age 32
After taking antibiotics, I got a raging vaginal yeast infection. Believe it or not, I'd never had one before, so I went to my doctor to find out what was causing me such misery. She told me to use an over-the-counter vaginal medicine for 3 days since the strong 1-day kind might irritate my already inflamed skin. What a relief that brought me!
Carmen, age 52
I swim year-round, so I have had some experience with yeast infections. So, when I get symptoms, I go right out and get the medicine. It's worked every time.
Gretchen, age 18
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to treat a vaginal yeast infection yourself
Reasons not to treat a yeast infection yourself
I'm sure I have a yeast infection.
I'm not sure I have a yeast infection.
I don't want to pay for a doctor visit.
I don't mind paying for a doctor visit.
I'm not worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.
I'm worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.
I know I'm not pregnant.
I think I might be pregnant.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Treating my yeast infection myself
NOT treating my yeast infection myself
What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Is it okay to treat your yeast infection yourself if you are pregnant?
- YesSorry, that's not right. If you're pregnant, see your doctor before you treat your symptoms so you can make sure you have a yeast infection.
- NoYou're right. If you're pregnant, see your doctor before you treat your symptoms so you can make sure you have a yeast infection.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." If you're pregnant, see your doctor before you treat your symptoms so you can make sure you have a yeast infection.
Is it okay to treat a yeast infection yourself if you know you have one (and you are not pregnant)?
- YesYou're right. If you're not pregnant and you know that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you can treat it yourself with an over-the-counter antifungal medicine.
- NoSorry, that's not right. If you're not pregnant and you know that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you can treat it yourself with an over-the-counter antifungal medicine.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." If you're not pregnant and you know that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, it's safe to treat it yourself.
Is it a good idea to see your doctor if you're not sure your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection?
- YesYou're right. If you're not sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you may want to see your doctor instead of treating it yourself. You could have another problem that needs different treatment.
- NoSorry, that's not right. If you're not sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you may want to see your doctor instead of treating it yourself. You could have another problem that needs different treatment.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." If you're not sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you may want to see your doctor.
Decide what's next
Do you understand the options available to you?
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Your Summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
| Credits | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
- Eschenbach DA (2008). Vaginitis section of Pelvic infections and sexually transmitted diseases. In RS Gibbs et al., eds., Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 608–612. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). Vulvovaginal candidiasis section of Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2010. MMWR, 59(RR-12): 61–63. Also available online: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/default.htm.
Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?
- Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the facts
Your options
- Treat your yeast infection with over-the-counter medicine.
- See your doctor for treatment advice, or wait to see if the infection goes away on its own.
Key points to remember
- A mild vaginal yeast infection may go away without treatment. If you have mild symptoms, you may want to wait to see if that happens.
- If you're not pregnant and you know that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you can treat it yourself with an over-the-counter antifungal medicine.
- If you're not sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you may want to see your doctor instead of treating it yourself. You could have another problem, such as a bacterial vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that needs different treatment.
- If you are pregnant, see your doctor before you treat your symptoms so you can make sure you have a yeast infection. If you do, it can be safely treated with a vaginal medicine.
- Condoms and diaphragms aren't safe to use for birth control when you are using an antifungal cream or suppository. These medicines contain oil, which can weaken rubber.
What is a vaginal yeast infection?
Yeast is a fungus that normally lives in the vagina in small numbers. A vaginal yeast infection means that too many yeast cells are growing in the vagina.
A healthy vagina has many bacteria and a small number of yeast cells. The most common bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, help keep other organisms—like the yeast—under control.
Some things can cause an imbalance between these organisms and can prompt yeast to grow. Taking antibiotics sometimes causes this imbalance. So can the high estrogen levels caused by pregnancy or hormone therapy. So can some health problems, such as diabetes.
Although a yeast infection can cause severe itching, pain, and soreness, it's not likely to lead to serious health problems. But if you get a lot of yeast infections, you may have a medical problem that needs treatment with antifungal medicines.
How is a yeast infection treated?
A one-time vaginal yeast infection is usually treated with either:
- An antifungal cream or suppository inserted into the vagina. You repeat this treatment for several days.
- A prescription antifungal pill you take once.
Another treatment is vaginal boric acid capsules. This may help for a yeast infection that has not gone away with antifungal treatment.1
What are the risks of not treating or treating a vaginal yeast infection?
Not treating. A vaginal yeast infection does not lead to major health problems. And you may find that a mild infection goes away on its own. But you may not be able to go without treatment if you have severe symptoms.
Treating. The biggest risk is treating the wrong problem and delaying diagnosis and treatment of the right one.
If you have been diagnosed with a yeast infection before, you likely know the symptoms and can treat it yourself with an over-the-counter medicine with little risk. But if you aren't sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection and yet you treat it anyway, you might be delaying diagnosis and treatment of your true problem, such as a bacterial vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Treating a yeast infection with a vaginal cream or suppository poses no major risks. This medicine only affects the vaginal area and usually does not cause pain or tenderness.
If you are pregnant and think you have a yeast infection, see a doctor. Don't treat it yourself.
2. Compare your options
| Self-treat your yeast infection | Don't self-treat | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
Personal stories about self-treating a possible vaginal yeast infection
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"During my pregnancy, I developed terribly uncomfortable vaginal yeast symptoms that just about drove me crazy. I knew it was a yeast infection, but since I was pregnant, I just didn't want to do anything I shouldn't. So I went for a quick check, and my nurse midwife sent me right off to get some over-the-counter cream. She told me that even though I'd been right about my diagnosis, I'd done the right thing to see her first. Sometimes it isn't what you think it is, and you never know what medicines are safe when you're pregnant."
— Anna, age 24
"I started getting a vaginal itch last week, which I've had diagnosed before as a yeast infection. Although I was going to get some medicine right away, my sister reminded me that sometimes they go away on their own. After a few days, it was better. If it comes back again, I'll probably try a vaginal cream, but for now it seems okay."
— Darla, age 32
"After taking antibiotics, I got a raging vaginal yeast infection. Believe it or not, I'd never had one before, so I went to my doctor to find out what was causing me such misery. She told me to use an over-the-counter vaginal medicine for 3 days since the strong 1-day kind might irritate my already inflamed skin. What a relief that brought me!"
— Carmen, age 52
"I swim year-round, so I have had some experience with yeast infections. So, when I get symptoms, I go right out and get the medicine. It's worked every time."
— Gretchen, age 18
3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to treat a vaginal yeast infection yourself
Reasons not to treat a yeast infection yourself
I'm sure I have a yeast infection.
I'm not sure I have a yeast infection.
I don't want to pay for a doctor visit.
I don't mind paying for a doctor visit.
I'm not worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.
I'm worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.
I know I'm not pregnant.
I think I might be pregnant.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Treating my yeast infection myself
NOT treating my yeast infection myself
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1. Is it okay to treat your yeast infection yourself if you are pregnant?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
2. Is it okay to treat a yeast infection yourself if you know you have one (and you are not pregnant)?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
3. Is it a good idea to see your doctor if you're not sure your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
Decide what's next
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
- I'm ready to take action.
- I want to discuss the options with others.
- I want to learn more about my options.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
- Eschenbach DA (2008). Vaginitis section of Pelvic infections and sexually transmitted diseases. In RS Gibbs et al., eds., Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 608–612. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). Vulvovaginal candidiasis section of Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2010. MMWR, 59(RR-12): 61–63. Also available online: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/default.htm.
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Last Revised: November 5, 2012
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