Vaginal & Intimate Health

Board-certified OB/GYN Doctor P explains how to get rid of a yeast infection, including prescriptions, over-the-counter options, and home remedies that actually work.

How To Get Rid of a Yeast Infection: A Complete Guide

March 17, 2026

You know the feeling. The itching starts, then the soreness, and suddenly everything down there feels raw and uncomfortable. If that is where you are right now, take a breath. Yeast infections are incredibly common, they are very treatable, and you are going to be fine.

The short answer: You can treat a yeast infection with a prescription antifungal pill (diflucan), an over-the-counter vaginal cream or suppository (Monistat), or boric acid suppositories. Most women feel relief within 24 hours. Full clearance takes 3 to 7 days.

Below, Doctor P walks through each treatment option, how to tell if it is actually a yeast infection and not BV, what causes them, and what to do if they keep coming back.

Doctor P breaks this down in under 10 minutes. Watch the video, then keep reading for the full explanation and treatment breakdown.

How To Treat a Yeast Infection

There are three effective treatment routes, and all three work. The right choice depends on your symptoms, your history with infections, and how quickly you want to get started.

Prescription Treatment: Diflucan

Diflucan (fluconazole) is a single oral antifungal pill. One dose, and for most women, the infection clears completely. No vaginal insertion, no multi-day regimen. In many cases your doctor can call this in without an office visit.

Diflucan targets Candida albicans, the strain behind most vaginal yeast infections. But not all yeast is the same. Some strains, particularly Candida glabrata, are more resistant to standard antifungals. If you have taken diflucan in the past and the infection did not fully clear, a resistant strain may be the reason. Your doctor can order a culture to identify the specific type and adjust treatment from there.

For women with recurrent infections (four or more per year), doctors often prescribe a double dose taken 72 hours apart. Some women with chronic recurrence are placed on a longer maintenance regimen, taking diflucan weekly or monthly for several months to prevent the yeast from rebounding.

Over-the-Counter Treatment: Monistat

If you want to start treatment today without a doctor visit, Monistat is available at any pharmacy. It comes in 1-day, 3-day, 5-day, and 7-day treatment options. They all cure the infection equally well. The only difference is how many days you insert the cream or suppository.

A shorter regimen uses a higher concentration per dose. A longer regimen spreads a lower concentration over more days. Both get you to the same place. If you tend to be sensitive to irritation, the 7-day option can sometimes feel gentler.

A few practical tips that make a real difference in how well the treatment works:

Insert the cream or suppository all the way into the vagina, the same way you would a tampon. If you only apply it near the opening, the medicine will not reach the yeast further inside. This is one of the most common reasons women feel like OTC treatment did not work. Use it right before bed so gravity is not working against you while the medicine does its job. Wear cotton underwear and use a liner during the day, since some of the cream will naturally discharge. And finish the full course, even if symptoms improve after a day or two. Stopping early can leave enough yeast behind for the infection to come back.

Home Remedy: Boric Acid

Boric acid is the one home remedy with genuine clinical evidence behind it. Research shows it can be as effective as prescription antifungals, and it is especially useful in two situations: recurrent infections that keep coming back despite standard treatment, and infections caused by resistant strains like Candida glabrata that do not respond well to fluconazole.

The typical protocol is one 600-milligram capsule inserted vaginally at night for about two weeks. You can buy boric acid suppositories online or at most pharmacies without a prescription.

Doctor P always leads with this safety note because it matters: boric acid is safe when used vaginally, but it is toxic if swallowed. Never take it by mouth. If you have it in your household, store it well away from children.

Is It a Yeast Infection or Bacterial Vaginosis?

This matters more than most women realize. Studies show that only about one third of women who self-diagnose a yeast infection actually have one. Many are dealing with bacterial vaginosis instead, which requires completely different treatment. Using Monistat for BV will not help, and it delays you from getting the right care.

The two conditions feel similar but behave differently. Here is how to tell them apart:

	Yeast Infection	Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Discharge	Thick, white, cottage cheese texture	Thin, grayish-white, watery
Odor	Usually no odor	Strong fishy smell, especially after sex
Main Symptom	Itching and irritation	Odor and unusual discharge
Cause	Fungal overgrowth (candida)	Bacterial imbalance
OTC Treatment	Monistat (antifungal)	Not reliably treated OTC
Prescription	Diflucan (fluconazole)	Metronidazole or clindamycin

The simplest way to tell the difference at home is smell. A yeast infection typically has no odor. BV almost always has a distinct fishy smell, especially after sex. If you are not sure, a quick swab test at your doctor’s office takes minutes and gives you a definitive answer. Getting the right diagnosis means getting the right treatment, and that is always worth the visit.

What Causes Yeast Infections

Yeast naturally lives in your vaginal environment in small amounts. An infection happens when something disrupts the balance and allows the yeast to multiply beyond what your body can keep in check. Understanding what triggers that disruption is the first step toward preventing it.

Antibiotics

This is one of the biggest triggers. Antibiotics are designed to kill the bacteria making you sick, but they also kill lactobacillus, the protective bacteria in your vagina that keep yeast under control. Without that defense, yeast can multiply fast. This is why so many women develop a yeast infection during or shortly after a course of antibiotics.

Hormonal Changes

Estrogen directly shapes your vaginal environment. Higher estrogen levels increase glycogen (a type of sugar) in vaginal cells, and that glycogen feeds yeast. This is why yeast infections are more common during pregnancy, around ovulation, and for women taking estrogen-containing birth control. Perimenopause and conditions like PCOS can also shift this balance in ways that make infections more likely.

Immune System and Health Conditions

Conditions that weaken your immune response, like HIV, diabetes, or immunosuppressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and long-term steroid use, reduce your body’s ability to keep yeast in check. Women with poorly managed diabetes are especially susceptible because elevated blood sugar creates an environment yeast thrives in.

Moisture, Heat, and Products

Sitting in a wet swimsuit, working out in non-breathable fabrics, or wearing tight synthetic clothing creates the warm, moist conditions yeast loves. Douching, scented soaps, and fragranced wipes make things worse by disrupting your natural pH. Your vagina is self-cleaning. It does not need help from these products.

Yeast Infection Symptoms

Itching and irritation are usually the first signs. The vulvar area may feel raw, swollen, and sore to the touch. Many women describe it as everything down there just feeling inflamed. Discharge tends to be thick, white, and clumpy, often compared to cottage cheese. It is usually odorless, which is one of the key differences from BV.

Pain or burning during sex is common because the inflammation makes the tissue sensitive. Some women also feel a burning sensation when urinating, not because of a urinary tract infection, but because urine passes over irritated skin. In cases where the infection goes untreated for a while, the skin around the vulva can develop small cracks that may bleed or spot.

If this is your first time experiencing these symptoms, or if something feels different from a previous infection, seeing your doctor for a test is the most reliable way to confirm what is going on.

How To Prevent Yeast Infections

If you have had one yeast infection, you already know you do not want another one. Prevention is not about being perfect. It is about understanding what your body needs and making small adjustments that add up over time.

During and After Antibiotics

Lactobacillus-based probiotics can help replenish the protective bacteria that antibiotics wipe out. Look for strains specifically studied for vaginal health, like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri. Starting probiotics when you begin your antibiotic course and continuing for a week after gives your vaginal ecosystem the best chance of staying balanced.

Everyday Habits That Help

Wear breathable, cotton underwear and change out of wet swimsuits or sweaty workout clothes as soon as you can. Skip the douching, scented soaps, and fragranced wipes. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar well managed significantly reduces your risk, because elevated glucose feeds yeast.

For Chronic Recurrence

If you deal with infections that keep coming back despite doing everything right, a maintenance regimen may help. Some women use a boric acid suppository once or twice a week after clearing an active infection to keep the yeast from rebounding. Others stay on a low-dose antifungal prescribed by their doctor. Talk with your provider about which approach makes sense for your body and your history.

Give yourself a little bit of time, a little bit of grace. Take care of the vagina and the vulvar space so that your body can be its best. That is always the goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a yeast infection to go away?

Most women start feeling relief within 24 hours of beginning treatment. Full clearance typically takes 3 to 7 days depending on the treatment method. Give your body at least seven days from starting treatment before assuming it has not worked. If symptoms persist after a full course of treatment, see your doctor for a test of cure.

Can you get a yeast infection from sex?

Yeast infections are not classified as sexually transmitted infections, but sexual activity can sometimes trigger one. Intercourse can disrupt the vaginal environment, and friction or irritation can create conditions that allow yeast to overgrow. If you notice a pattern of infections after sexual activity, it is worth discussing with your provider.

What is the fastest way to cure a yeast infection?

Prescription diflucan (a single oral pill) and over-the-counter treatments like Monistat both begin working within 24 hours. Neither is significantly faster than the other. The key is completing the full course of treatment rather than stopping early when symptoms improve.

Is boric acid safe for yeast infections?

Boric acid is supported by clinical evidence as an effective vaginal treatment for yeast infections, especially recurrent ones. It is safe when used vaginally as directed. It should never be taken by mouth, as it is toxic if ingested. Always store it away from children.

How do I know if it is a yeast infection or BV?

The most reliable difference is odor. Yeast infections typically have no smell, while BV produces a distinct fishy odor, especially after sex. Yeast discharge is thick and white; BV discharge is thin and grayish. A quick swab test at your doctor’s office gives a definitive answer.

Why do I keep getting yeast infections?

Recurrent infections are often connected to hormonal shifts, antibiotic use, blood sugar imbalances, or resistant yeast strains. Estrogen directly influences the vaginal environment, so changes in your cycle, birth control, pregnancy, or perimenopause can all play a role. If infections keep returning, looking at the underlying hormonal pattern is more effective than treating each episode individually.