Vaginal Yeast Infection

Treatments and Prevention Tips For Vaginal Yeast Infections

If a woman is able to determine that her symptoms are truly caused by yeast, she has several treatment options she may choose from, including a variety of creams which are available at pharmacies throughout the U.S. Treatments with OTC products range from one to seven days. Creams available include brand names such as Monistat, Femstat, Gyne-Lotrimin, and Mycostatin.

Women who prefer a less messy alternative to the creams that are sold OTC may ask her physician for a prescription medication such as Diflucan, a one-dose oral medication for the treatment of yeast infection. Other oral medications include Nizoral, which requires that oral medication be taken for seven to 14 days either once or twice daily, depending on your physician's recommendations.

Remember, it is always advisable to phone your physician to discuss your symptoms and ask for his/her recommendation regarding the type of treatment that is best for you.

Tips to Prevent Yeast Infections

Post menopausal women and women who use oral contraceptives may find using a vaginal lubricant during sexual intercourse helpful in preventing vaginal discomfort and irritation.

Yeast is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract; always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to prevent transferring yeast to the vaginal area; care must be taken during sexual intercourse to prevent vaginal infections from occurring due to contamination with organisms from the bowel or rectum.

Some women find eating one cup of yogurt a day when taking antibiotics is helpful to prevent the yeast infections that often follow antibiotic treatment; however yogurt alone will not cure vaginal yeast infections.

Avoid perfumed bath additives, as well as powders in the vaginal area. Douching is never a good idea since it washes away the natural protective mucous of the vagina and leaves women susceptible to vaginal infections.

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