Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself
What is a Decision 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
Key points to remember
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 replacement 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:
Another treatment is vaginal boric acid capsules. This may help for a yeast infection that has not gone away with antifungal treatment.1 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. But 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
Self-treat your yeast
infection Self-treat your yeast
infection
Don't self-treat
Don't self-treat
Personal stories Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. Personal stories about self-treating a possible vaginal yeast infectionThese 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 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. 3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. 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 decisionNext steps Which way you're leaning How sure you are Your comments Your knowledge of the factsKey concepts that you understood Key concepts that may need review Getting ready to actPatient choices Credits and ReferencesCredits
References Citations
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 factsYour options
Key points to remember
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 replacement 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:
Another treatment is vaginal boric acid capsules. This may help for a yeast infection that has not gone away with antifungal treatment.1 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. But 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
Personal storiesAre you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide. Personal stories about self-treating a possible vaginal yeast infectionThese 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 facts1. Is it okay to treat your yeast infection yourself if you are pregnant?
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)?
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?
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 next1. 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? Certainty1. 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.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
References Citations
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. Last Revised: July 27, 2011 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise 
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. To learn more visit Healthwise.org © 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. |
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