Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?

Guides you through the decision to treat a vaginal yeast infection yourself. Explains when you may need to see a doctor to diagnose a yeast infection. Discusses prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

Top of the pageDecision Point

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.
FAQs

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.

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.

Other conditions have similar symptoms to yeast infections, though. 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?

Self-treat your yeast infection Self-treat your yeast infection

  • 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.footnote 1
  • 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.footnote 1
  • 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.
Don’t self-treat Don’t self-treat

  • 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 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.

More important
Equally important
More important

I don’t want to pay for a doctor visit.

I don’t mind paying for a doctor visit.

More important
Equally important
More important

I’m not worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.

I’m worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.

More important
Equally important
More important

I know I’m not pregnant.

I think I might be pregnant.

More important
Equally important
More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important
Equally important
More important

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

Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward

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?
2, Is it okay to treat a yeast infection yourself if you know you have one (and you are not pregnant)?
3, Is it a good idea to see your doctor if you’re not sure your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection?

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?

Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure

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
Author Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones MD – Obstetrics and Gynecology

References
Citations
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR, 64(RR-03): 1–137. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015. Accessed July 2, 2015. [Erratum in MMWR, 64(33): 924. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6433a9.htm?s_cid=mm6433a9_w. Accessed January 25, 2016.]

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?

Here’s a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
  1. Get the facts
  2. Compare your options
  3. What matters most to you?
  4. Where are you leaning now?
  5. 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.
FAQs

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.

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.

Other conditions have similar symptoms to yeast infections, though. 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?
  • 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.
  • 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.
What are the benefits?
  • 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.1
  • 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.
What are the risks and side effects?
  • 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.1
  • 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.
  • 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

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.

More important
Equally important
More important

I don’t want to pay for a doctor visit.

I don’t mind paying for a doctor visit.

More important
Equally important
More important

I’m not worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.

I’m worried about the side effects of antifungal medicines.

More important
Equally important
More important

I know I’m not pregnant.

I think I might be pregnant.

More important
Equally important
More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important
Equally important
More important

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

Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward

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
You’re right. If you’re pregnant, see your doctor before you treat your symptoms so you can make sure you have a yeast infection.

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
You’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.

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
You’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.

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?

Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure

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.

Credits
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones MD – Obstetrics and Gynecology

References
Citations
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR, 64(RR-03): 1–137. http://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015. Accessed July 2, 2015. [Erratum in MMWR, 64(33): 924. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6433a9.htm?s_cid=mm6433a9_w. Accessed January 25, 2016.]

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