Women's Health
Understanding Vaginal Yeast Infections -- Diagnosis & Treatment
How Is a Vaginal Yeast Infection Diagnosed?
Your doctor may diagnose a vaginal yeast infection based on your description of 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 a vaginal yeast infection.
How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Treated?
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.
If over-the-counter medications are not effective in treating a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe a cream with terconazole (Terazol) or a single dose oral antifungal pill containing fluconazole (Diflucan). Though it’s usually well tolerated, some women may experience stomach upset with fluconazole. Most women prefer treating a vaginal yeast infection with oral fluconazole due to the convenience. Some yeast infections are resistant to the more common medications and may require different medications or prolonged treatment.
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. They include:
- Women with diabetes
- Pregnant women
- Women with weakened immune systems
- Women with frequent vaginal yeast infections (four or more a year)
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