The most effective treatment plan for vaginal candidiasis uses a multifaceted approach. The first step in treatment is prevention. Prevention measures include maintaining good genital area hygiene with daily cleansing with soap and water. Douching is not recommended. Prevention also includes wiping the genital area from the front to the back after urinating or defecating.
It is also important to use antibiotics only when truly needed. Other measures include wearing cotton, not synthetic, underwear and changing wet bathing suits and underwear as soon as possible.
To prevent transmission of vaginal candidiasis to a newborn infant, pregnant women should consult with their licensed health care provider if they have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, such as vaginal itching, burning with urination, and a cheesy white vaginal discharge.
A treatment plan also includes medications, including prescription topical antifungal medications in cream or suppository form that contain fluconazole. An oral tablet that contains and antifungal drug may also be prescribed for some women.
Treatment of vaginal candidiasis also includes diagnosing any underlying diseases that may increase the risk for the infection. These include HIV/AIDS and diabetes. Treating the high blood sugar levels of diabetes may resolve a current infection and is key to minimizing the risk of developing recurrent infections of vaginal candidiasis.
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Vaginal candidiasis includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Vaginal candidiasis may include:
Hidden causes of Vaginal candidiasis may be incorrectly diagnosed:
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Vaginal candidiasis:
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Vaginal candidiasis include:
Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Vaginal candidiasis:
Hospital & Clinic quality ratings »
Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Vaginal candidiasis, on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:
Antifungal drugs which are taken orally, applied directly to the affected area, or used vaginally are the drugs of choice for vaginal yeast infections. Although these drugs usually work to cure the infection (80%-90% success rate), infections that do not respond to treatment are becoming more common, especially in HIV-infected women receiving long-term antifungal therapy. Prolonged and frequent use of these treatments can lessen their effectiveness. (Source: excerpt from Genital Candidiasis: DBMD)
What is the difference betw een the 3-day treatments and the 7 day treatments for genital candidiasis/VVC?
The only difference between these is the length of treatment. Three-day and 7-day treatments may both be effective. (Source: excerpt from Genital Candidiasis: DBMD)
Over-the-counter treatments for VVC are becoming more available. As a result more women are diagnosing themselves with VVC and using one of a family of drugs called "azoles" for therapy. However, misdiagnosis is common, and studies have shown that as many as two-thirds of all OTC drugs sold to treat VVC were used by women without the disease. Using these drugs when they are not needed may lead to a resistant infection. Resistant infections are very difficult to treat with the currently available medications for VVC. (Source: excerpt from Genital Candidiasis: DBMD)
Various antifungal vaginal medications are available to treat yeast infection. Women can buy some antifungal creams, tablets, or suppositories (butoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, and tioconazole) over the counter for use in the vagina. But because BV, trichomoniasis, and yeast infection are difficult to distinguish on the basis of symptoms alone, a woman with vaginal symptoms should see her physician for an accurate diagnosis before using these products.
Other products available over the counter contain antihistamines or topical anesthetics that only mask the symptoms and do not treat the underlying problem. Women who have chronic or recurring yeast infections may need to be treated with vaginal creams for extended periods of time. Recently, effective oral medications have become available. Women should work with their physicians to determine possible underlying causes of their chronic yeast infections. HIV-infected women may have severe yeast infections that are often unresponsive to treatment. (Source: excerpt from Vaginitis Due to Vaginal Infections, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Search Specialists by State and City
By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
Copyright © 2011 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 7 May, 2013 (2:01)
