How to Get Rid of a Vaginal Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are no fun — but they do happen to pretty much all women. Effective remedies are available to quickly treat and relieve your symptoms. Here’s how to get rid of a vaginal yeast infection.

How do you get a yeast infection?

A healthy vagina has many organisms living in it, including bacteria and yeast. These organisms exist in balance and create an acidic environment that helps prevent infections. If that natural balance is disturbed, there can be an overgrowth of yeast. And that may lead to a yeast infection. 

Some situations can make it more likely that you’ll get a vaginal yeast infection, including:

• Increased estrogen levels, such as during pregnancy or when using certain hormonal birth control methods

• Antibiotic use

• Diabetes

• A weakened immune system

How do you get rid of a vaginal yeast infection quickly?

Studies show that treatment with either vaginal cream or an oral pill works more than 90% of the time to get rid of yeast infections. Uncomplicated vaginal yeast infections usually respond to treatment within a couple of days. 

Treatment can take longer, depending on your overall health and the type of yeast infection. If you get yeast infections that don’t get better right away or keep coming back, you may need to use an antifungal for a longer period of time. 

Best OTC vaginal yeast infection treatments

There are a few over-the-counter (OTC) topical preparations to get rid of a vaginal yeast infection. They come in single-dose, 3-day, and 7-day regimens that are inserted into the vagina. Examples include:

• Miconazole (Monistat) 

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)

• Tioconazole (Vagistat-1, Monistat-1)

Best prescription vaginal yeast infection treatments

You can get rid of vaginal yeast infection with OTC creams, or you may want to call a healthcare professional for prescription options. 

Some of the best prescription vaginal yeast infection medicines are: 

• Butoconazole (Gynazole-1): Butoconazole cream is used as a single dose. So, use it one time and you’re done. 

• Terconazole (Terazol or Zazole): Terconazole is a prescription vaginal cream that comes in 3- and 7-day regimens.

• Fluconazole (Diflucan): Fluconazole is an antifungal medication that you take by mouth. A single 150 mg dose of fluconazole continues to work for at least 72 hours after you take it.

• Ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme): Ibrexafungerp is a newer prescription pill that can be used to treat vaginal yeast infections. It’s usually taken as a 300 mg dose twice per day for 1 day.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Yeast infection vs. UTI: Yeast infections and UTIs can have some similar symptoms. Here’s how to tell them apart. 

• Antifungal creams: Over-the-counter antifungal creams can treat a range of fungal infections, including yeast infections.

• Yeast infection pills: Learn more about yeast infection pills, like fluconazole (Diflucan), including cost and treatment timeline.

The benefits of creams for vaginal yeast infections

OTC creams have few side effects, whereas the fluconazole single-dose pill may cause an upset stomach, headache, and rash. Fluconazole may also take 1 to 2 days longer than topical therapy to relieve symptoms and get rid of the yeast infection.

The benefits of the yeast infection pill

Yeast infection pills, like generic fluconazole, come as a single dose and are less expensive than many OTC topical antifungals. Also, fungal resistance to fluconazole isn’t common, so it works well. And, for many people, taking an oral pill is easier than applying a vaginal cream. 

How long does a yeast infection last with treatment? 

Most yeast infections last a few days with treatment. Symptoms are usually gone 2 to 3 days after starting a topical cream, or 3 days after taking an oral fluconazole pill. 

If you aren’t getting better within a few days, connect with a healthcare professional. You may need a longer course of treatment or a different kind of treatment. 

How long should I wait to have sex after yeast infection treatment?

Avoid sex — including oral, vaginal, or anal — until your yeast infection is completely treated. This means waiting until you’ve finished all your medication and no longer have any symptoms.

Can a yeast infection go away on its own?

Yes, mild yeast infections may go away on their own after a few days. But, if the symptoms are bothersome, you may want to start treatment right away to feel better sooner.

When to see a healthcare professional 

It’s a good idea to talk with your gynecologist or primary care provider if you think you have a yeast infection. Some other conditions — like some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis — can cause similar symptoms, so you’ll want to make sure you’re treating the right thing.

What you can do to prevent vaginal yeast infections

Here are some steps you can take to lower your chances of getting a yeast infection: 

• Wear underwear that has a cotton crotch. 

• Avoid tight underwear or pants, which can increase moisture in the area. 

• Avoid douching and using scented feminine products (like sprays or bubble bath).

• Change out of workout clothes and wet swimsuits as soon as possible. 

• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. 

• Change tampons and pads regularly. 

Frequently asked questions

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

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