Yeast Infection Treatment Options

If you’ve ever had a yeast infection, you know it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Thankfully, yeast infections are easily treated and there are a variety of effective treatments to help you get relief and back to feeling your best, quickly.

There are a handful of treatment options for the range of yeast infections discussed above. There are over-the-counter treatments, prescription treatments, and some natural/home remedies (only some of which have scientific research to back them up).

Treatments will vary depending on the location and type of infection. For example [9]:

• Skin infections are often treated by creams or powders like miconazole, clotrimazole, oxiconazole, ketoconazole, econazole, ciclopirox, and nystatin.
• Vaginal infections can be treated with creams, vaginal suppositories, or with oral medication (like fluconazole).
• Oral infections can be treated with liquid solutions, tablets, pills, or lozenges.

Over-The-Counter Treatments

For many people, the first line of defense against yeast infections is over-the-counter antifungal treatments. These come in creams, ointments, and suppositories that you can apply directly to the affected area. These are easy to obtain from your pharmacy, drug store, or grocery store.

Popular options include products containing miconazole or clotrimazole. A popular brand is Monistat®. OTC treatments are generally effective but might not be enough if symptoms continue or get worse. Some people may have reactions to these options, but many won’t.

Consulting a healthcare professional before using these products can be helpful to ensure you are using the appropriate product, and you can consult them on side effects.

Prescription Medications

You may wonder how antibiotics can cause yeast infections. Because antibiotics work to kill bacterial infections, the delicate balance of healthy bacteria and yeast can be thrown off. Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in your body that would normally keep yeast levels in check. [1] A healthcare provider may prescribe oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole, which is taken as a single dose in most cases – a very simple and easy way to treat the infection. Prescription treatments are particularly useful for recurrent infections or when symptoms are severe. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and complete the full course of treatment that they prescribe.

Home Remedies and Natural Options

Some people prefer natural remedies for yeast infections. Natural remedies include eating yogurt with live probiotics, using boric acid suppositories, or applying coconut or tea tree oil. However, you should approach these remedies cautiously. For example, boric acid can be toxic if not used properly, and some products may irritate some.

Your healthcare provider may recommend using a home remedy in addition to a prescription or OTC treatment method as well.

Yeast Infection Treatment With Everlywell

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for yeast infections. The right option depends on your symptoms and your personal preferences. Whether you opt for an OTC product, a prescription medication, or a natural remedy, the key is to address the infection promptly and effectively and it never hurts to consult a healthcare provider, especially if the infection might not be a yeast infection and could be something else – like an STI.

In fact, with Everlywell, you can get same-day prescription treatment, so you don’t have to wait for care. You can also test for STIs, just to be safe.

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References

1. Yeast infection. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
2. Vaginal yeast infection: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. September 2, 2022. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
3. Yeast infection. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
4. Male yeast infection (candida balanitis): Symptoms, causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. June 6, 2022. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
5. Yeast diaper rash (candida diaper dermatitis): Symptoms, causes, treatments. Cleveland Clinic. January 21, 2022. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
6. Intertrigo: What is it, causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. August 24, 2024. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
7. Candida infection of the skin. Mount Sinai Health System. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
8. Mohamed AA, Lu XL, Mounmin FA. Diagnosis and Treatment of Esophageal Candidiasis: Current Updates. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;2019:3585136. Published 2019 Oct 20. doi:10.1155/2019/3585136. Medical Citation URL.
9. Aaron DM. Candidiasis (yeast infection) - candidiasis (yeast infection). Merck Manual Consumer Version. September 2023. Accessed December 11, 2024. Medical Citation URL.