Treatments for Yeast Infections

Over the Counter Medications (OTC):

Some of the more popular brands of OTC yeast infection treatments include Monistat, Lotrimin and Lamisil. You can find these medications in several different forms including creams, tablets, powders and sprays.

OTC yeast infection treatments come in varying strengths to match the type of infection that is being treated. The different options to choose from include a strong 1 day treatment, a 3 day treatment and a more mild 7 day treatment.

Yeast infections usually do not disappear overnight and can take up to seven days to be eliminated. Use your OTC medications as directed and until your infection is gone.

One of the best attributes of over the counter medication is that you do not have to visit your doctor. You can treat yourself pretty easily and their antifungal properties make them effective.

OTC medications are best used by people who have had candidiasis previously and know what the symptoms are. These candidiasis treatments can be used by both males and females.

The drawback to OTC medications are that they are temporary fixes. While they will get rid of your candidiasis, which of course is great, they do nothing to stop your yeast infection from returning. For that, you need a program to follow that will get to the root of why you had an infection in the first place. For a program that will do just that, see our page on natural cures for yeast infections.

Prescription treatments

Nizoral (ketaconazole) and Diflucan (fluconazole) are two drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat candidiasis. If OTC medications don't effectively treat your candidiasis, your doctor will probably prescribe one of these medications.

Nizoral tablets are usually taken once daily for as long as your doctor recommends. Since Diflucan is such a strong antifungal, your doctor may only need to prescribe one single oral dose of this medication.

Yeast infection prescription drugs can cause some adverse reactions such as dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, etc. Do not take any other medications with the yeast infection drugs without telling your doctor.

While prescription medications are very powerful and usually very effective in treating your yeast infections, they do nothing to prevent a yeast infection from returning. And, let's face it, such powerful drugs are probably not the best thing for your body - especially if you have to use them more than once.

Why not explore more natural treatments that are safe and effective - and less expensive to boot? There are many programs out there that will give you an effective system to make sure you do not have recurring yeast infections. We have read through quite a few of them and have reviews of the best treatments for yeast infections for you. If you follow these programs, you should never have to suffer through another yeast infections. And wouldn't that be nice?

Candidiasis can be treated with many alternative home remedies.

To treat yeast infections naturally, two of the most popular methods are yogurt and garlic.

Garlic - Garlic contains antifungal properties that make it effective in treating vaginal yeast infections.

Peel a garlic clove (white peel removed), put thread through it (for easy removal) and place in the vagina overnight. Take the garlic out in morning. Continue the garlic treatment until the yeast infection disappears.

Cutting into the garlic is advised by some midwives if you have got very severe yeast infection but some people find that this can sting.

Yogurt- Yogurt can be used to treat infections directly. Eating live yogurt on a daily basis can also help to prevent them from appearing in the first place.Excess yeast in the body can be killed by the friendly bacteria (lactobacillus acidophilus) contained in live yogurt.

Granted, yogurt can be a messy treatment. This is particularly true in the case of a vaginal yeast infection or a male yeast infection. For females, you can use plastic syringes (obviously without the needle) to insert the yogurt into the vagina. Some women like to to use their fingers, some soak a tampon in yogurt and some even freeze the yogurt in plastic tampon applicator tubes before putting it in (be careful of "freezer burn")..

Just make sure it is a sugar-free, live, natural yogurt which contains the friendly bacteria. You might want to use some type of protection for your underwear also.

For more detail on these two most popular natural treatments, see natural home remedies for yeast infections.

These are only two of many natural treatments for yeast infection available. You can read about these and more yeast infection home remedies on our website.