Topic Overview

A vaginal yeast infection is thought to be recurrent when:

• You have had four or more infections within 1 year.
• The infections have caused symptoms.
• The infections are not related to the use of antibiotics.

If you have a recurrent vaginal yeast infection, your doctor may do a culture to confirm that yeast is present. You may also be tested for certain conditions that could be making you more vulnerable to yeast overgrowth, such as diabetes.

Recurrent vaginal yeast infections may be treated with:^{footnote 1}

• Fluconazole. You take a 150 mg dose of fluconazole by mouth, once every 3 days for three doses.
• Vaginal medicines for 10 to 14 days.
• Boric acid. You use a 300 to 600 mg gelatin capsule placed in the vagina once a day for 14 days.

The first treatment is then followed by at least 6 months of maintenance therapy. This could be oral or vaginal medicines.

Some women who are treated for recurrent yeast infections do not see their symptoms improve. These women may have another condition that is causing symptoms like those of a yeast infection. Further testing and treatment may be needed.