How to Treat and Prevent Yeast Infections

Download Article

A guide to getting rid of yeast infections in the comfort of your home

Co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND

Last Updated: December 30, 2023 References

Download Article

Treatments

|

Managing Symptoms

|

Prevention

|

Medical Takeaways

|

Video

|

Tips

|

Warnings

Most women experience a yeast infection at least once, so you’re not alone if you’re looking for relief. Luckily, while these are very annoying, they’re also very treatable! In most cases, some cream or oral medication clears the infection within just a few days. Even better, you can use these treatments right from your own home. All you have to do is visit your doctor for a diagnosis, and then you can start treating the infection by yourself.

Things You Should Know

Use an over the counter or prescription cream to treat the infection. Depending on your cream, insert the applicator in your vagina and squeeze out the cream.
Wear loose, cotton bottoms to manage your infection. Apply a cold pack or petroleum jelly on top of your vagina to reduce itchiness and discomfort.
Prevent yeast infections by changing tampons regularly, not using fragrant sprays or soaps on your vagina, and avoiding douching.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Recommended Home Treatments

Download Article

If you want to treat your yeast infection at home, you’re in luck. The recommended treatments involve using creams or pills from the comfort of your own home. After you visit the doctor and get a diagnosis, you can try some of the following treatments to clear the infection.

1
Visit your doctor to confirm that you have a yeast infection. Going to the doctor might seem annoying, but don't try to treat a yeast infection by yourself. Even if you’ve had a yeast infection before and know what it feels like, other infections could have similar symptoms. This is why you need your doctor to confirm it before starting treatment. Make an appointment for an exam, and then you can start treatment after a proper diagnosis.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

US Office on Women's Health
U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health

Go to source}
- Common yeast infection tests are a urine analysis and a swab from your vagina. The doctor will examine these samples to confirm that you have a yeast infection.
2
Buy an over-the-counter cream to clear the infection. In most cases, your doctor will recommend an OTC cream or suppository that you can get from any pharmacy. These come with an applicator to help use the medication. Insert the applicator tip into your vagina and squeeze out the medication according to the package instructions to clear the infection.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

US Office on Women's Health
U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health

Go to source}
- Common OTC creams are Miconazole, Clotrimazole, Tioconazole, and Butoconazole.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- You might have to use this medication for a few days, or only once. Follow all the instructions to use it correctly.
Advertisement
There are also prescription-strength creams for yeast infections. Your doctor might try one of these instead of an OTC cream. You can use it the same way as an OTC cream, so follow all the instructions to apply it correctly.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
4
Take a one-time oral antifungal medication to knock out the infection. If topical creams don’t work for you, your doctor might try an oral medication like fluconazole. Usually, you only have to take one pill to clear your infection. If you have a more serious infection, your doctor might tell you to take 2 doses 3 days apart.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Doctors usually recommend one-time medicines if you don’t get yeast infections often. If you do, then you may need more doses.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, because oral medications aren’t recommended for pregnant people.
Whether you use cream or oral medication, you need to complete the entire treatment. Never stop using the medication early, even if you’re starting to feel better.^{[7]
X
Research source} The infection could come back if you stop too early.
These medications can weaken condoms and diaphragms, so you could get pregnant without meaning to or catch an STI. Wait until the treatment is completely finished to have sex again.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
If you've spent any time searching online for yeast infection remedies, you've probably seen plenty. Some common ones include putting yogurt, vinegar, tea tree oil, or garlic inside your vagina. None of these treatments are effective for treating yeast infections, and doctors don't recommend any of them. For your own health, stick with recommended medical treatments instead.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
8
See your doctor again if the infection doesn’t go away. While this is definitely annoying, it’s possible that the yeast infection won’t go away immediately. If you complete the treatment and the infection isn’t gone, then you may need a different type of medication. See your doctor again for further treatment.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- If you have frequent yeast infections that won’t go away, your doctor will probably put you on oral antifungal medications for a few weeks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Managing the Symptoms

Download Article

While yeast infections usually clear up quickly with treatment, you'll probably still be uncomfortable until the medication works. This can feel like forever when you aren't feeling well. Luckily, you can try a few different things at home to relieve the itching while you wait for the infection to clear.

1
Wear loose cotton underwear and clothes. Loose cotton clothes won't trap heat and moisture around your genitals, both of which could make the infection worse. You can also try sleeping without underwear on. This might make you more comfortable too.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- This is also a good way to reduce your chances of getting a yeast infection in the first place.
- If you wear pantyhose, make sure these aren’t too tight either.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- On the other hand, avoid panties made from silk or nylon. These can trap moisture.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
A yeast infection is very uncomfortable, but you have options to help with the itching. Try hold a cold pack against the area or taking a cool bath to relieve the discomfort.^{[14]
X
Research source}
3
Try putting petroleum jelly on your vagina to reduce itching. Sometimes, yeast infections can spread outside of your vagina and onto your vulva. In this case, some petroleum jelly can help relieve the itching, so try rubbing a little bit onto any external itchy spots around your vulva.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- This is only recommended for use outside your vagina, not inside.
4
Avoid scratching to prevent more irritation. Yeast infections are really uncomfortable and you'll probably feel tempted to scratch. However, this is a bad idea and could make the irritation worse. Do your best to avoid scratching until the infection clears up.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- As long as you're undergoing treatment for your infection, the itching and discomfort should end before too long, so you'll feel better soon.
Tampons can soak up the medication from creams or suppositories. This prevents medicines from working properly and they might not heal your infection. Skip tampons until your treatment is done.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Yeast Infections

Download Article

Once you get rid of your yeast infection, you’ll probably want to avoid having more in the future. Luckily, you can take some steps to prevent this. Preventing yeast infections can be a little tricky and these tips don’t always work, but they can improve your chances of avoiding more infections.

1
Change your tampons and pads often while you’re menstruating. This can also reduce your chances of getting an yeast infection.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source

US Office on Women's Health
U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health

Go to source}
- Don’t use perfumed or fragranced tampons or pads either.
2
Keep fragranced sprays and perfumes away from your vagina. These products can all increase your chances of catching a yeast infection. Avoid any perfumed sprays, soaps, or bubble baths to support your vaginal health.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Hot tubs and hot baths could also put you at risk for yeast infections, even if you don’t use any fragrances. It’s best to avoid them.
3
Don’t use a douche. While you might feel clean after douching, this actually kills good bacteria that keeps your yeast levels under control. Without that bacteria, yeast could grow and cause an infection. Avoid douching altogether.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- In general, all you need to keep your vagina clean is warm water.
- Also don't use a douche if you currently have a yeast infection. This could make it worse.^{[20]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}
4
Take probiotics to support your vaginal bacteria. Results are mixed and not all doctors agree, but probiotics could help prevent yeast infections. Specifically, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 supplements might help. Try getting a supplement with this probiotic type to see if it helps you.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source}
- There are many other home remedies for yeast infections like tea tree oil or yogurt-infused tampons. None of these are proven to work, and some might even make the infection worse.

Medical Takeaways

Having a yeast infection is definitely annoying and uncomfortable. Luckily, they're easy to treat with some medication. You just have to see your doctor first to confirm that you have a yeast infection. After that, you can take the right steps to beat the infection and stop it from coming back.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If you have diabetes, then you're at a higher risk for yeast infections. Follow the treatment regimen and keep your blood sugar close to normal to decrease your risk.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

There are currently no approved home remedies for treating yeast infections, and doctors don’t recommend any. It’s best to use OTC or prescription treatments instead.^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1