Print DiagnosisTo diagnose a yeast infection, your doctor may: Ask questions about your medical history. This might include gathering information about past vaginal infections or sexually transmitted infections. Perform a pelvic exam. Your doctor examines your external genitals for signs of infection. Next, your doctor places an instrument (speculum) into your vagina to hold the vaginal walls open to examine the vagina and cervix — the lower, narrower part of your uterus. Test vaginal secretions. Your doctor may send a sample of vaginal fluid for testing to determine the type of fungus causing the yeast infection. Identifying the fungus can help your doctor prescribe more effective treatment for recurrent yeast infections. More InformationPelvic exam TreatmentTreatment for yeast infections depends on the severity and frequency of your infections. For mild to moderate symptoms and infrequent episodes, your doctor might recommend: Short-course vaginal therapy. Taking an antifungal medication for three to seven days will usually clear a yeast infection. Antifungal medications — which are available as creams, ointments, tablets and suppositories — include miconazole (Monistat 3) and terconazole. Some of these medications are available over-the-counter and others by prescription only. Single-dose oral medication. Your doctor might prescribe a one-time, single oral dose of fluconazole (Diflucan). Oral medication isn't recommended if you're pregnant. To manage more-severe symptoms, you might take two single doses three days apart. See your doctor again if treatment doesn't resolve your symptoms or if your symptoms return within two months. If your symptoms are severe, or you have frequent yeast infections, your doctor might recommend: Long-course vaginal therapy. Your doctor might prescribe an antifungal medication taken daily for up to two weeks, followed by once a week for six months. Multidose oral medication. Your doctor might prescribe two or three doses of an antifungal medication to be taken by mouth instead of vaginal therapy. However, this therapy isn't recommended for pregnant women. Azole resistant therapy. Your doctor might recommend boric acid, a capsule inserted into your vagina. This medication may be fatal if taken orally and is used only to treat candida fungus that is resistant to the usual antifungal agents. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. 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Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Clinical trials Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Alternative medicineNo alternative medicine therapies have been proved to treat vaginal yeast infections. Some complementary and alternative therapies may provide some relief when combined with your doctor's care. Talk to your doctor about what alternative treatments for vaginal yeast infection may be safe for you. Preparing for your appointmentIf you've been treated for a yeast infection in the past, your doctor may not need to see you and may prescribe a treatment over the phone. Otherwise, you're likely to see a family medicine doctor or gynecologist. What you can do Make a list of any symptoms you've had and for how long. Write down key information, including other medical conditions and any medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking. Avoid using tampons or douching before your appointment. Make a list of questions to ask your doctor. Questions to ask your doctor Do I need to take medicine? Are there any special instructions for taking the medicine? Are there any over-the-counter products that will treat my condition? What can I do if my symptoms return after treatment? How can I prevent yeast infections? What signs and symptoms should I watch out for? During your appointment, don't hesitate to ask other questions as they occur to you. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including: What vaginal symptoms do you have? How long have you had them? Do you notice a strong vaginal odor? Have you ever been treated for a vaginal infection? Have you tried over-the-counter products to treat your condition? Have you recently taken antibiotics? Are you sexually active? Are you pregnant? Do you use scented soap or bubble bath? Do you douche or use feminine hygiene spray? By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments Jan. 11, 2023 Print Show references AskMayoExpert. Vulvovaginitis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018. Ferri FF. Vaginitis, fungal. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2019. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018. Lobo RA, et al. Genital tract infections: Vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, endometritis, and salpingitis. In: Comprehensive Gynecology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018. Cohen J, et al., eds. Vaginitis, vulvitis, cervicitis, and cutaneous vulval lesions. In: Infectious Diseases. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2017. https://clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018. Butler Tobah YS (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 5, 2018. Blostein F, et al. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Annals of Epidemiology. 2017;27:575. Bope ET, et al. Vulvovaginitis. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2018. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018. Vaginal yeast infections. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/vaginal-yeast-infections. Accessed Aug. 26, 2018. Related Associated Procedures Pelvic exam Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Home Remedies Assortment Women's Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Yeast infection (vaginal)Symptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry