Cure a Yeast Infection and Prevent It from Coming Back
Let’s say you got here because you have some very annoying symptoms of a yeast infection or other symptoms that aren’t your norm: itching, burning, irritation, ugh. And we know you want to know exactly how to cure a yeast infection so you never find yourself in that situation again, but wait a second. Before you a. buy a whole section at your local pharmacy or b. look into all natural remedies for yeast infection and decide to heed people’s advice to put tea tree oil (or pretty much any other) in your vagina, please read on.
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We spoke to OB/GYNs to learn about the safest home remedies for yeast infection and answer all your other burning (sorry) questions about yeast infection treatment, what you should buy, what not to spend money on, and how to prevent it. recurrent yeast infection. Important things.
However, if this is your first yeast infection, you should see a doctor, says Dr. Brandi, MD, board-certified OB-GYN and female sex and pleasure coach at LifeLoveLibido. This is because other types of vaginal infections can mimic some of the symptoms of a yeast infection (spoiler alert: none of them are fun, but they can all go away very quickly with the right treatment). You’ll also want to see a doctor if your symptoms are really severe, if your vulva and vagina are swollen and red, if your skin is cracking, you’re in a lot of pain, or you’ve tried all kinds of over-the-counter remedies. the remedies we are going to recommend below and they are not gone yet.
Whether it’s your first time visiting Monistat Rodeo, here are some tips on how to cure a yeast infection, stat.
Find out if it’s really a yeast infection.
As Dr. Brandi pointed out, there are many things you might confuse with a yeast infection, such as BV, a urinary tract infection, or an STI such as herpes. Here are a few telltale signs to help you tell the difference, especially if you’re not sure whether you should take Monistat, drink cranberry juice, or call your doctor.
Fungal infections vs. bacterial vaginosis
Yeast infections are intensely itchy and irritated and usually don’t come with a lot of discharge, but if they do, they’re white and look like cottage cheese, Dr. Brandi explains. A more serious yeast infection can cause greenish discharge. On the other hand, with bacterial vaginosis, the discharge usually has a fishy smell.
Yeast infections vs. UTIs
Dr. Brandi also adds that sometimes urine that comes into contact with the vulva can cause a burning sensation, which makes women think they have a urinary tract infection, not a yeast infection, but a urinary tract infection. They have different symptoms such as pelvic pain, pain when urinating. , and very frequent urination with only a small amount of urine.
Yeast infections against sexually transmitted diseases
If you notice new bumps or lesions, it may not be a yeast infection but an STI. These bumps may not always be painful, but things like herpes can cause pain and irritation that can mimic a yeast infection, says Dr. Brandi. However, the pain from these injuries will be more localized to where the injuries are.
To make sure you’re diagnosing another infection correctly, check the symptom checker on Monistat’s website to find out if yeast is indeed the culprit, suggests Tarane Shirazian, an OB/GYN practicing in New York City (and a brand ambassador for Monistat). If you have overlapping symptoms and aren’t sure, it’s best to call your doctor.
. Choose a one-day over-the-counter treatment rather than a one-day one.
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You might think that once you do it’s great, but you’re actually better off with a seven-day treatment or, if needed, a three-day treatment, according to Dr. Brandi. “I see too many people using ovum-day and coming because they think they still have the symptoms but in reality the yeast infection has gone but the medicine was so concentrated it has given them a form of dermatitis. he adds. Considering you’ve just recovered from itching and irritation, the last thing you want to add to your plate is vulvar dermatitis, which can also cause itching and irritation.
Dr. Shirazian agrees that you should definitely take a day-long Monistat to treat a yeast infection, “even if you don’t have long-term or recurring yeast infections.” “The treatment goes straight to the source and is very effective,” he adds.
. Whatever you do, don’t buy vaginal itching cream without going through an over-the-counter treatment.
You can use an anti-itch cream if you’re also on an over-the-counter treatment. Dr. Brandi notes that she has seen women using anti-itch medications only, thinking they are treating what’s causing the itching, which can delay treatment of the underlying infection. Anti-itch creams can relieve symptoms, but you’ll be using this tube of cream for years if you think it will help treat the infection.
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Causes of pain in the vagina after sex
. Look for over the counter yeast infection medications ending with azole, miconazole, clotrimazole.
Dr. Brandi says they are readily available and treat yeast infection. However, “sometimes there can be resistance or other types of yeast that don’t respond to these drugs,” she adds. In these cases, you should call your doctor to get a prescription for an oral medication such as fluconazole.
. If you have external symptoms, choose a cream over a suppository.
“Both suppositories and creams are equally effective,” says Dr. Brandi, but if you have more external vaginal symptoms, “a cream may help you feel better while the medication works.”
. Save your money and don’t buy any of these vaginal pH test kits.
When you’re looking to fix a problem in your pants FAST, it can be tempting to pick up one of those expensive kits that promise to tell you whether or not you have a yeast infection, but if you’re in any doubt as to whether you have one, call the doctor.
“OTC test strips simply test the pH of the vagina, which does not definitively determine whether it is a yeast infection or something else. Your vaginal pH may have changed due to a variety of other factors, such as your menstrual cycle (totally normal BTW), recent intercourse, recent antibiotic use, or multiple infections (so we continue to see a doctor if there are any questions). !).
. You can wait to have sex until your symptoms are gone.
You are probably wondering how long to wait for sex after treating a yeast infection. But to be honest, if you really have it, you might not want to do anything about it because of the feeling of dryness and itching. “You can also spread the yeast between partners since it usually grows on damp surfaces,” says Dr. Shiratyan. Once you feel that the treatment is starting to work, this should give you the green light for any type of sexual activity. “You can be active when you no longer feel irritated and don’t notice the characteristic thick discharge,” adds Dr. Shiratyan.
. You can eat yogurt, but *don’t* put it anywhere else.
You may have read about yogurt in the context of home remedies for yeast infection, but we’re here to tell you that yogurt is just to eat. “Yogurt inserted into the vagina does NOT help get rid of an infection,” says Maria Sofoklis, MD, OB/GYN and Medical Director of Women’s Health at Princeton.
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If you want to eat yogurt with your breakfast to boost your probiotic levels to maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in your body, go for it. However, it won’t be a cure for a yeast infection, FWIW, says Monique Rainford, MD, OB/GYN and clinical assistant professor at Yale University. But there is nothing wrong with eating plain yogurt. Choose yogurt with simple lactic acid bacteria and no added sugar (which can promote yeast growth), says Dr. Shiratyan.
Even the use of oils there may not be the best remedy.
Other natural remedies for yeast infections that you may hear about are coconut oil and tea tree oil. But be careful, doctors say. “I would advise avoiding the use of tea tree oil or coconut oil in the vaginal area, because studies do not show that they work and can do more harm than good,” says Dr. Rainford. Tea tree oil can actually cause irritation if you apply it near your vulva. And coconut oil, which is generally safe for the skin, “is not always effective in treating yeast,” notes Dr. Sophocles.
- . Instead, he tries to take a sitz bath with only water (no additives) to alleviate any symptoms.
- Sitting toilet in the bathroom
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- Dr. Brandi says that soaking for a few minutes can help calm the nerve endings and make you feel more comfortable. You can use hot or cold water, but don’t add anything to the solution as this will further irritate your skin.
- . Only use ice packs for ten minutes or less at a time.
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Dr. Brandi says if you’re using an ice pack to soothe your vulva, make sure you .) wrap it in a towel or washcloth and .) don’t leave it for more than ten minutes, as you can damage external tissues for a long time. ice contact.
. Ditch the tight pants.
“Yeast loves warm and humid places,” says Dr. Brandi, so you should eliminate tight pants or shorts from your wardrobe to avoid moisture and heat as much as possible until the situation is completely clear. . Holiday with a yeast infection? Remove your wet swimsuit as soon as possible after swimming. And you don’t have to skip your workout, says Dr. Chris. “If you want to keep rocking your Lululemon leggings, change into a sweat-free pair now!” You want the area to be as fresh as possible.
Commando asleep.
Speaking of good ventilation… take all your pants off if possible (probably the simplest tip). “I generally recommend my patients with recurring yeast infections to sleep commando-style, with no underwear or pajama bottoms, to allow more air into the area,” suggests Dr. Brandi.
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A very useful tip to keep the vagina clean
. Wear cotton underwear, or at least cotton-lined underwear.
Some fabrics can be even more irritating in this situation. Experts recommend choosing cotton, as it allows air to pass through as much as possible. Dr. Chrys recommends wearing all cotton underwear, or at least wearing cotton crotch underwear.
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. Whatever you do, don’t resort to douches, wipes, sprays, perfumes, or douchees.
You might think ~cleaning up~ the area is a good idea, but in reality, they can only make things worse. According to Dr. Brandi, sprays/washes/wipes etc. they’re unnecessary and “often contribute to lifelong vaginal irritation and infection.” Not what we want here.
. Wash yourself with the mildest, fragrance-free bar of soap you can find.
Technically, all you really need to wash your genitals is warm water, Dr. Brandi says, but mild soaps can also be used. Dr. Brandi prefers bar soap to liquid soap because bar soap has fewer additional ingredients that can cause potential irritation than liquid soap.
For this, Dr. Brandi likes the Dove beauty bar for sensitive skin. And while it’s not technically a “soap,” Dr. Brandi says it doesn’t matter, as Dove soap is a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that helps keep skin looking pristine.
- Dove Beauty Bar for sensitive skin
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- “You can use a different bar of soap,” says Dr. Brandi, “but you just need to be aware of things like fragrances or other additives because they can be irritating.”
- Consider a vaginal probiotic.
- Pro Bee Probiotic
- Refresh Pro B Probiotic
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For her patients with recurring yeast infections or BV, Dr. Brandi recommends RepHresh Pro B, which is a probiotic specifically formulated to help maintain a healthy vaginal pH (and supply the body with the beneficial bacteria it needs to fight infection). “This tablet, which you take by mouth every day and use in conjunction with good perineal hygiene habits, works very well,” he says. He just reminds you that you still need to treat your yeast infection, but a probiotic is a good extra step if you want to prevent future infections.
. If you are a diabetic, always keep an eye on your blood sugar levels.
According to Dr. Sophocles, people with diabetes may also be at higher risk for yeast infections. If you have persistent yeast infections, close monitoring of blood sugar levels can help, adds Dr. Chrys. How come? Well, yeast feeds on sugar, so the more sugar there is in the blood, the more yeast can thrive.
. Watch out for yeast infection triggers.
Sex can trigger a yeast infection in some people (partner’s fingers or sex toys can contain bacteria that clear the bacterial environment, so keep things as clean as possible, folks!) or it can contribute to dryness. “You may need some moisture from a vaginal moisturizer like Replens to help reduce dryness, which can cause irritation and lead to yeast,” says Dr. Sophocles.
