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Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections

Overview

What are recurrent vaginal yeast infections?

For your vaginal yeast infections to be thought of as recurrent, you must have four or more infections within 1 year. The infections must not be related to your taking antibiotics. And they must cause symptoms.

How are they treated?

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.

This first treatment may be followed by 6 months of maintenance therapy. This could be oral or vaginal medicines.

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

References

Citations

  1. Expert Working Group on Canadian Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections (2013). Canadian guidelines on sexually transmitted infections: Section 4—Management and treatment of specific syndromes. Public Health Agency of Canada. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti-its/cgsti-ldcits/section-4-8-eng.php. Accessed May 22, 2015.

Credits

Current as of: November 22, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Deborah A. Penava BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology