Vaginal symptoms not improving with treatment

A vaginal infection may clear up without treatment in 2 or 3 days.

If you have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection and have been diagnosed and treated by your health professional for this condition in the past, you may want to try a nonprescription medication, such as miconazole (for example, Monistat) or clotrimazole (for example, Gyne-Lotrimin), to treat your symptoms.

If your symptoms do not improve with home treatment in 2 or 3 days, contact your health professional. Vaginal symptoms that are related to another type of vaginal infection or a cervical infection need to be evaluated.

Women who are past menopause may notice ongoing symptoms of atrophic vaginitis because of the decrease in estrogen after menopause. If symptoms continue despite home treatment, further evaluation and possible hormonal treatment from your health professional may be needed.

A few women develop chronic, repeated vaginal infections. Vaginal irritation, burning, and abnormal discharge are the main symptoms. While many women think they have a yeast infection that won't go away, this may not be the case. If you have increased vaginal discharge or other symptoms of a vaginal infection that last longer than 1 week and have not responded to home treatment, it is important to check with your health professional to find the cause of your symptoms.

Recurrent vaginal yeast infections

The following tips may help if you have recurrent vaginal yeast infections:

• Eat a balanced diet. This helps keep your body healthy and helps maintain a normal balance in your vagina.
• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar level. This decreases your risk of yeast infections anywhere on the body.
• Eat yogurt or drink acidophilus milk. Some brands of yogurt contain live lactobacillus organisms (if the yogurt has these organisms, it will be listed on the label). Acidophilus milk also contains live lactobacillus organisms. These live organisms may help maintain the normal balance in your vagina.
• Wear cotton underwear. Cotton underwear, or underwear with an absorbent cotton crotch, can prevent moisture from developing around the vagina.
• After going to the bathroom, wipe your vaginal area from front to back.
• Avoid the unnecessary use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can change the normal balance of vaginal organisms, allowing excess growth of yeast in the vagina.
• Avoid the use of feminine sprays, talcs, or perfumes. Using these products in your vaginal area may affect the delicate balance among the organisms in your vagina. Also avoid scented toilet paper and tampons that have deodorant added.
• Avoid clothes that fit tightly. Some clothing (such as leggings, panty hose, and tight-fitting jeans) can increase body heat and moisture, which may allow yeast to grow more easily in your vagina. Wearing a wet swimsuit for many hours may also encourage yeast growth by keeping the genital area warm and moist.
• Avoid douching.