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The best yeast infection treatments are often available over-the-counter (OTC). We cover the best options including creams, pills, and vaginal suppositories.

Which over-the-counter treatments are most safe and effective?

“Most topical over-the-counter treatments (azols like monistat and Terazol) are equally effective and use of 1, 3 or 7 day therapy should be based on cost, availability and patient preference.” — Valinda Nwadike MD, MPH

We considered many prescription and OTC yeast infection treatments before choosing our favorites. All of our top picks have scientific evidence of their effectiveness.

However, do not use these as a substitute for medication. People should contact a doctor immediately if these remedies do not relieve symptoms.

A word on safety

Yeast infection medication is usually safe to take with minimal side effects.

However, it is important to keep in contact with a healthcare professional to ensure the medication effectively treats Candida overgrowth and to monitor any potential side effects.

Other general advice includes:

  • Dosage: Take the entire course of medication to clear an infection. For example, with a 7-day suppository, a person inserts suppositories daily for the full 7 days, even if symptoms begin to clear before the 7-day period ends.
  • Birth control: The oils in certain suppositories and creams can interfere with barrier birth control methods. They can weaken the materials in condoms, making them less effective. When using these yeast infection treatments, a person needs to use a different form of birth control or abstain from sex during the duration of the treatment if they would typically use a condom.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnant people should always consult a doctor before using any prescription or nonprescription medication to treat an infection.

Before starting treatment, people should contact a qualified healthcare professional, such as a primary care doctor, for a diagnosis.

Knowing exactly which infection a person has ensures they get the appropriate treatment and avoids creating fungus resistant to future treatments.

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Vaginal yeast infection symptoms are often mild.

Signs that a person has a yeast infection can include:

  • itching or soreness around the vagina
  • pain during sexual intercourse
  • pain or discomfort when urinating
  • abnormal discharge from the vagina

If a person develops a severe infection, they may experience:

  • redness
  • swelling
  • cracks in the vaginal wall

A person should contact a doctor if they experience any of these symptoms.

The table below compares each of the products for price, ingredients, and more.

List priceActive ingredientsTreatment timeSupply
Wisp$15 per month
$65 one-time
generic fluconazole2 daysup to two pills
Uqora$30• L. acidophilus
• L. rhamnosus
• L. reuteri
ongoing preventive treatment30 days
Monistataround $14miconazole nitrate1–7 daysone to seven prefilled applicators
FemiCleararound $15• olive oil
• melaleuca
• calendula
• lavender essential oil
2 daystwo suppositories
Love Wellnessaround $18boric acidongoing preventive treatmentup to 14 days
CVS Healtharound $11miconazole nitrate7 daysseven prefilled applicators
Sesame Carefrom $29depends on prescription doctor offersdepends on medicationdepends on medication
Clairvee$55• 4 billion CFU lactobacilli acidophilus
• 1 billion CFU lactobacilli rhamnosus
• lactoferrin, 50mg
• folate as L-methylfolate monosodium, 400mcg
1 month
ongoing preventive treatment
15 pills a month

Medical News Today looked at several OTC yeast infection treatments and chose six that met our rigorous vetting criteria.

Some of the criteria we need brands and products to meet include:

  • Health claims: None of the brands or products make unsupported health claims, nor do their products contain unsafe ingredients.
  • Accessibility: We know that not everyone can easily access a store or doctor, so we choose products that are widely available in a store over the counter (OTC) or online.
  • Treatment times: Yeast infections are uncomfortable, so we choose products that aim to treat symptoms in as few days as possible. Many claim symptoms will disappear within 7 days.
  • Treatment type: We choose treatments that come in various forms, such as pills, probiotics, and suppositories.
  • Cost: We try only to include effective treatments with the most budget-friendly prices. Where we include prescription products, we try to make sure people can pay in several ways, including health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible savings accounts (FSAs).
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A yeast infection develops from an overgrowth of Candida, most commonly Candida albicans. Experts estimate around 70% of females will experience a Candida yeast infection at some point, and 8% will have recurrent infections.

The body can usually handle Candida without the fungus causing any problems. However, people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and HIV, as well as people who have obesity or take antibiotics, are more likely to experience Candida overgrowth.

When the Candida fungus penetrates the mucosal lining of the vagina, it causes inflammation. This inflammation then leads to yeast infection symptoms such as thick discharge, itchiness, and swelling.

Doctors typically recommend OTC antifungal medications to treat a vaginal yeast infection.

Treatments may come as one single dose or a daily dose over several days. A person can read the dosing instructions carefully to ensure they use the correct dosage.

Some of the products in this article are classed as homeopathic treatments. There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved homeopathic products. This means any product sold in the United States and marketed as homeopathic is not FDA approved, and the FDA has not tested it for safety or effectiveness.

Monistat is a popular 3-day OTC yeast infection treatment option. There are also several other 3-day OTC yeast infection treatments that include miconazole, an ingredient that can help reduce yeast infection symptoms quickly.

According to Monistat, all of its miconazole yeast infection treatments are just as effective as each other, regardless of whether a person buys the 1-, 3-, or 7-day treatment.

The fastest way to eliminate a yeast infection is to use an antifungal medication on the skin or inside the vagina. People can also get oral pill treatments for yeast infections.

A mild yeast infection may go away by itself. However, this is unlikely.

People can only effectively treat fungus overgrowth with prescription antifungals or certain OTC treatments, such as suppositories containing boric acid.

A person may be able to get rid of a yeast infection without going to a doctor by trying over-the-counter products or alternative therapies. 

Some treatments people try at home include over-the-counter antifungal treatments, boric acid, tea tree oil, probiotic supplements, natural yogurt, coconut oil, garlic, and oregano oil. 

However, it is important to exercise caution when trying at-home treatments or alternative therapies. People should always speak with a doctor before trying these remedies.

Yeast infections are often mild. A person can typically treat them using OTC medications. Medications come in different forms and doses, so it is important to follow the instructions on the package.

A person should not self-diagnose a yeast infection. Many symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses and conditions.

Once a doctor diagnoses the infection and a person treats it, they should notice symptom improvement.