The treatment for yeast infection varies from person to person. The first time a woman has symptoms, she should definitely see a doctor to develop a treatment plan. The reason is that there are other possible causes for vaginal discharge and itching. Yeast infection symptoms are similar to those of gonorrhea or immune system disorders.
There are several factors that you and your doctor should consider when selecting among the many treatment options. One important issue is the difference between vaginal medications like Monistat, Gyne-Lotrimin and Terazol and the oral medication Diflucan.
The oral drug goes through the bloodstream and then gets to the infected tissues of the vaginal area. The locally applied drugs are a little different. Those are applied at the site of the infection and treat the fungus locally, as if it was a topical skin infection, which essentially it is. With oral treatment you are exposing your whole body to the drug while with the topical treatment you are only exposing the affected area to the drug.
The intravaginal medications usually have very few side effects and are generally well-tolerated. Side effects of oral medications include nausea, abdominal cramps and bloating.
Topical therapy can last anywhere from one to seven days. The oral therapy is usually a one time dose. The right treatment for yeast infections usually depends upon the severity of the symptoms. In addition to antifungal medications to get rid of the yeast infections, many people use topical preparations, like Vagisil, to help relieve the itching.
Treatment for symptoms of yeast infections sometimes includes options that are not universally recommended by physicians. Some people report substantial relief form itching when they use medicated gold bond powder applied directly to the vulva. Some women use a paste made of slippery elm and a little water and apply this to the vulva. Others soak a cotton pad in aloe vera juice and apply it to the vulva.
Some people eat yogurt or drink buttermilk every day to increase the presence of healthy bacteria in their bodies. Some recommend drinking cranberry juice every day or taking enteric-coated acidophilus pearls to help increase the amount of "good" bacteria in your system. These are tablets are readily available at most health food stores.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before you self-medicate for yeast infections. Your doctor can help you decide on the best yeast infection treatment for you.
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