What Are Common Side Effects Of Yeast Infection Medications
Because all of the medications used to treat vaginitis are antifungals, they tend to have similar side effects. However, they will vary due to the different administration routes. Of course, these side effects will not be the same for everyone, and their presence or severity may vary. This is not a complete list and you should always consult your doctor or gynecologist regarding your potential risks when starting a new medication. Potential side effects of vaginal yeast infection medication can include:
- Missed menstrual period
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Dispose of any unused liquid medication after 14 days.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
When To Call Your Doctor
Reach out to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your prescription and how to take your medicine. Check in with your doctor’s office if your symptoms don’t disappear after you finish taking all your medicine as prescribed.
See your doctor if you have four or more vaginal yeast infections in one year. It could be a condition called ârecurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.â Itâs not common, but if you have it, you may need to take an antifungal medication for up to 6 months.
Frequent, repeated yeast infections can also be a sign of a resistant strain or more serious condition, including untreated diabetes. Your doctor can help you figure out what the problem is.
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Vaginal Yeast Infection Medical Treatment
Both oral and topical medications are considered to be equally effective in uncomplicated infections . Oral medications may take slightly longer for symptom relief than topical preparations, but cure rates with both types of products are similar for uncomplicated infections.
Fluconazole is the most commonly used oral medication for yeast infection. It may produce side effects such as nausea, headache, and abdominal pain. It is usually given in one dose of 150 mg.
Medications are also available in the form of vaginal tablets or cream applicators. These medications include the following:
In some cases, a single dose of medication has been shown to clear up yeast infections. In other cases, a longer period of medication might be prescribed.
In women who have weakened immune systems, more than one dose of oral medications may be prescribed. In these women, a longer course of topical medications is also recommended.
For recurrent infection , oral fluconazole and itraconazole or vaginal clotrimazole might be needed for six months. Oral medications are typically recommended if the symptoms are severe. In pregnant women, a longer course of treatment may be needed. Women should consult with their doctor before treatment. Women with an allergy to any ingredients contained within these products should not take them.
When To Contact A Doctor
A person should contact a doctor if they suspect that they have a yeast infection. The symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. The doctor can properly diagnose and treat a yeast infection.
If a yeast infection does not clear up with treatment, the person should seek further medical advice. They may need to adjust their medications to treat any itching and discomfort.
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Identifying A Yeast Infection
Stopping The Cycle Of Genital Yeast Infections
The genital area naturally contains Candida. Once this balance is disrupted, though, Candida overgrowth can happen.
For some people, being prone to yeast infections is simply hereditary. Overgrowth of yeast can also happen as a result of:
Genital yeast infections are also more common in people with compromised immune systems and who have diabetes. Sexual activity and high estrogen levels are other risk factors.
There are also studies suggesting chronic yeast infections may be due to hypersensitivity to Candida.
A genital yeast infection can cause burning and itching sensations. You may also notice a red rash, especially around the vulva or anywhere . When you urinate, you may see a cottage cheese-like discharge and feel burning on the surrounding skin.
Over-the-counter suppository medications can usually treat vaginal yeast infections. However, if this is your first yeast infection or first recurring yeast infection, you may want to see your doctor. They can rule out the possibility of other infections.
Once treated, you can help keep genital yeast infections from returning by keeping good hygiene habits and promoting normal vaginal bacterial balance. Here are some tips:
- Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing.
- Take daily showers.
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What If I Keep Getting Yeast Infections
A yeast infection is considered to be chronic if you get one four or more times within one year. The same things that can contribute to normal yeast infections can also cause them to be chronic – taking regular medications, hormone therapy or pregnancy, or having a condition that affects your immune system.
What Causes Recurring Yeast Infections
About 5 to 8 percent of women experience four or more yeast infections in a single year, a condition known as recurrent or chronic yeast infections.
It’s not clear why some women get chronic or recurring yeast infections, but there are several risk factors that can predispose you to it, such as pregnancy, birth control pills, estrogen therapy, regular antibiotic use, diabetes, and conditions that affect your immune system, particularly HIV.
Treatments used for normal yeast infections are effective if your recurring yeast infections are caused by C. albicans.
But some infections are caused by other Candida species, such as C. glabrata, which may require treatment with a Mycostatin vaginal cream or tablet, a vaginal gel containing the antifungals amphotericin B and flucytosine, or another treatment.
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Lifestyle Changes That Support Medical Yeast Infection Treatment
While taking yeast infection medication, certain lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and prevent worsening symptoms. These include:
- Keeping your genital area clean and dry
- Wearing loose-fitting underwear, pants, or shorts to prevent irritation and sweating, which can lead to the growth of more yeast
- Promptly changing out of wet bathing suits or exercise clothing, and washing sweat-covered or wet clothes after each use
- Keeping your blood sugar level under control if you have diabetes
Diagnosis Of Yeast Infection
Many women who have experienced a yeast infection before will know the signs and can often treat it themselves at home with over-the-counter medications. However, if you are at all unsure of your symptoms or feel your yeast infection is unmanageable on your own, it is best to see your doctor.
When you arrive at your appointment, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your medical history. You may also be asked whether you have had a sexually transmitted infection in the past and about your sexual history.
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How To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection
How to get rid of a yeast infection.
If youre a woman, youve got a pretty good chance of experiencing a yeast infection at some point in your lifetime. Vaginal yeast infection, or candidiasis, is a very common condition and can cause skin rashes, itchiness and irritation, and strange-looking discharges. It can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition to have, but luckily, its very treatable and typically goes away in just a few days with medications. Knowing the symptoms and what to look for are important to be able to diagnose and treat them quickly. Below are answers to some common questions about yeast infections.
How Does Diflucan Work To Treat Yeast Infections
You need a prescription to get Diflucan or its generic equivalent, fluconazole. When taken orally, this magic little pill stays in your system for roughly 72 hours and goes to work by attacking the cell walls of the Candida fungi that are causing your infection. When the cell walls are damaged, the fungus dies and presto your yeast infection symptoms quickly resolve. Its true. Its really that easy. In fact, most women who take Diflucan for a yeast infection notice relief from symptoms within one to two days.
Like all medications, some people who take Diflucan may experience side effects. In most cases, these are very mild.
Because Diflucan is so easy to use and has very few side effects, a lot of women prefer this prescription yeast infection treatment over its OTC counterparts. And the best part is that you can get a prescription for Diflucan online.
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How To Manage Chronic Yeast Infections
The sooner you treat a yeast infection, the faster you can get rid of the associated discomfort. Call your doctor if your yeast infection seems persistent.
Once your doctor confirms the diagnosis, its important to take the necessary steps to make sure you get rid of it for good. This will also help manage the possibility of chronic cases. Consider the following tips to manage chronic yeast infections:
- Make sure you take your full course of medication, even if symptoms go away before the medicine is gone and even if you dont think its working right away.
- If youre sexually active, ask your partner to get tested for Candida, too. This will help prevent the infection from spreading.
- Change and launder your clothing and fabrics, like towels and sheets, regularly and separate from other clothing. Consider adding bleach, or distilled white vinegar to the wash.
- Wash items that come into contact with infected areas directly after use to prevent spreading yeast cells or re-infecting yourself.
Important Update: May 2019
Based on the many questions we get on this topic, and the high number of side effects people reported, below is a quick summary:
Yeast infections can be very uncomfortable. Hence, the common question of how to get rid of a yeast infection fast.
Safety comes first. Before you take any yeast infection treatment pill hoping to get rid of the yeast infection in 24 hours, here are a few important facts you should know.
- You dont get a yeast overnight. It usually evolves as a result of an imbalance in the body.
- To completely and permanently cure a yeast infection, you need to address this imbalance.
- Addressing the cause of the infection is the most important step in the yeast infection treatment.
- To find the cause, you may want to ask yourself how did you get the yeast infection to being with.
- Certain medication, antibiotics or poor diet are common causes of yeast infections.
- In many cases, once the source is identified and addressed, no additional steps are needed.
- Well cover these in this guide.
Natural remedies dont mean safe. Fast relief doesnt mean yeast infection cure
Table of Content
What is causing your yeast infection?
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What Increases My Risk Of Getting A Yeast Infection
Certain factors make you more likely to get a vaginal yeast infection.
Certain factors can increase your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection. Some of those are:
Certain lifestyle risk factors also increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:
- Sitting in a wet bathing suit.
- Not changing out of sweaty clothes.
- Wearing scented tampons or using a vaginal deodorant.
Who Can Get Yeast Infections
Some people may be more prone to yeast infections. Using certain medications, having diabetes, being pregnant, or having a lowered immune system can make a person more likely to get a yeast infection.
People who wear tight-fitting clothing are also more likely to experience yeast infections since it creates a warm, moist environment that allows the growth of yeast and bacteria to thrive.
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What Is A Yeast Infection
Different parts of your body, including your mouth, moist parts of your skin, and your digestive tract, contain a natural balance of yeast, candida albicans , and bacteria. Most of the time, this balance remains in check, with the good bacteria in your body keeping your candida levels under control. But when the balance of candida, yeast, and bacteria are off, candida can overgrow in these areas and cause a yeast infection to occur. If left untreated a yeast infection could take up to two weeks to go away and may end up returning.
How Do You Get A Yeast Infection
Anything that disrupts the natural balance of yeast, candida, and bacteria can have the potential to lead to a yeast infection. Some things that may increase your chance of getting a yeast infection are:
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Use of antibiotics
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Having higher levels of estrogen
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Not changing out of wet clothes, like a swimsuit or gym clothes, can create prolonged moist environments for yeast to grow.
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Regularly douching in women
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Using scented feminine products
Yeast infections are not considered sexually transmitted diseases and are unlikely to be contagious in most cases. However, those who are prone to yeast infections, or who have a lowered immune system, may be able to contract a yeast infection from someone else through kissing, breastfeeding, or sexual intercourse.
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Related Conditions To Yeast Infections
Vaginal concerns can be a common occurrence. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as changes in menstrual cycle, sexual activity, or a new product you may be using. Other times, the cause may not be as clear. If you’ve had a yeast infection before, it may be easy to assume your yeast infection symptoms have the same cause, but that is not always the case. There are a few conditions with symptoms that can be mistaken for yeast infection symptoms.
When Is A Longer
When treating complicated vaginal yeast infections, an initial treatment is typically followed by maintenance treatment. In the initial phase of treatment,
- creams or suppositories are used for 1 to 2 weeks, or
- instead, one oral tablet is taken every three days for about a week.
This is usually followed by maintenance treatment, where you take one antifungal tablet per week over a period of six months. If you cant take tablets for instance, due to a pregnancy or interactions with other drugs you can use only creams or suppositories for the whole treatment period.
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Best Preventive Treatment: Uqora Promote
The makers of Uqora Promote say the product promotes vaginal health rather than specifically targeting yeast infections. However, it contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri, which the company claims can help balance vaginal bacteria.
Some shows that Lactobacilli such as L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus show promise in preventing vaginal infections.
The company recommends using this product daily with a glass of water.
This product is available for $30.
The product contains calendula, olive extract, beeswax, and olive oil to combat itching and discomfort.
The company recommends using this yeast infection treatment before bed or wearing a panty liner to ensure that it does not leak.
This product is available for $19.97.
Some Candida Species Are Resistant To Drugs
Though azoles work well against C. albicans, some other Candida species are resistant to these first-line drugs.
For example, about half of C. glabrata strains isolated from recurrent yeast infections are far less susceptible to fluconazole than C. albicans, and C. krusei is completely resistant to it.
To treat non-albicans yeast infections, your doctor may prescribe a Mycostatin vaginal cream or tablet, which you must apply or take daily for 14 days.
With treatment, your yeast infection will pass after one to seven days .
If a week is too long for you, you can also try a single dose of a powerful azole oral medication fluconazole, if appropriate.
Other antifungals, such as amphotericin B and flucytosine, are also available for the treatment of non-albicans yeast infections.
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