Understanding Vaginal Yeast Infection - Diagnosis & Treatment

How is a vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?

Your doctor may diagnose you with a vaginal yeast infection based on the description of your symptoms and possibly a vaginal exam. During the exam, your doctor may take a vaginal wet smear to look for the yeast under a microscope. This helps confirm that you do have a vaginal yeast infection.

What is the treatment for a vaginal yeast infection?

If you have had a vaginal yeast infection previously and you’re confident that’s what you have, you may choose to treat it with an over-the-counter topical cream or suppository (medication that dissolves in the vagina). These topical treatments may cause burning or irritation.

Some women prefer, and some doctors even recommend, treating a vaginal yeast infection with a single dose of the prescription pill fluconazole due to convenience. If over-the-counter medications are not effective in treating a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe a cream with terconazole or an oral antifungal pill containing fluconazole. Though it’s usually well tolerated, some women may experience stomach upset with fluconazole.

Due to the potential for complications, certain women who suspect they have a vaginal yeast infection should see their doctor and not try to treat it themselves. These women may need longer treatment. This includes:

• Women with diabetes
• Pregnant women
• Women with weakened immune systems
• Women with frequent vaginal yeast infections (4 or more a year)