In this Article

• What is yeast?
• What is vaginitis?
• What is vulvitis (inflammation of the vulva)?
• What causes vaginal yeast infections?
• What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis?
• How are vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis?
• If yeast is commonly present in normal women, who should be treated?
• Vaginal Yeast Infection At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Yeast Infection - Effective Treatments
• Yeast Vaginitis Glossary
• Yeast Vaginitis Index

What is the treatment for vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis?

Vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis may be treated with antifungal medications that are applied topically in and around the vagina or with antifungal medications taken by mouth. Sometimes, mixed infections with more than one microbe can require combinations of treatments.

Topically applied antifungal creams include:

• butoconazole (Femstat 3),
  
  
• clotrimazole (Lotrimin),
  
  
• miconazole (Monistat), and
  
  
• terconazole (Terazol 3).

The over-the-counter topical treatments are an option for some women when yeast is the cause of the infection. However, it should be noted that infection other than yeast can cause similar symptoms. These include bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. If symptoms are not eliminated by over-the-counter products, patients should see their doctor for evaluation.

Antifungal medications that are also available as vaginal tablets include:

• clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex),
  
  
• miconazole (Monistat; Micatin),
  
  
• terconazole (Terazol), and
  
  
• nystatin (Mycostatin)

Oral medications for yeast vaginitis and vulvitis include fluconazole (Diflucan).

Most doctors prefer to treat vaginal yeast infections with vaginal tablets or suppositories rather than oral medications. Oral antifungal medication can cause side effects such as headache, nausea, and abdominal pain , while vaginal treatment is unlikely to cause these side effects. Oral antifungal medications are also not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Yeast Infection - Effective Treatments

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