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How Long Does It Take to Treat a Yeast Infection?

B. Miller
B. Miller

The amount of time it takes to treat a yeast infection can vary depending on the cause of the infection and the individual's lifestyle behaviors. In addition, the methods used to treat the yeast infection can also cause variations in the amount of time before symptoms disappear. In general, a yeast infection will be treated with a pill, taken orally; a cream applied to the affected area; or a suppository inserted vaginally. Though vaginal yeast infections are the most common, the overgrowth of yeast can occur elsewhere on the body, including the mouth. This is why various treatments are available to treat yeast infections. Most are able to reduce or clear up symptoms within three to seven days.

The pills taken to treat a yeast infection often require only a single dose and start to work quickly. Some people notice improvements in as little as one to three days, even if the infection is not completely gone. These require a prescription from a doctor, however, and may be more expensive than some over-the-counter treatments, such as creams and suppositories. These products are typically in one-, three-, or seven-day treatment packages, depending on the severity of the yeast infection. It is important to keep using the products until they are gone even if symptoms begin to disappear.

Pills taken to treat a yeast infection may cure the infection in as little as one to three days.
Pills taken to treat a yeast infection may cure the infection in as little as one to three days.

While attempting to treat a yeast infection, there are ways to speed up the process and to try to prevent the infection from recurring. The first is to make some changes to the diet; sugary foods, or things that contain yeast such as bread or beer, for example, can make the infection worse. Tight-fitting clothing can also worsen the infection and make it much more difficult to get rid of. If the yeast infection is caused by being on antibiotic medication for something else, and the individual is still taking the medication, it might require a much longer course of treatment to cure the yeast infection, but it is important not to stop taking the antibiotics.

Yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter medication taken in the form of vaginal suppositories over 1, 3 or 7 days.
Yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter medication taken in the form of vaginal suppositories over 1, 3 or 7 days.

It is generally perfectly fine to treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter products or even certain home remedies, particularly if an individual has had a yeast infection before and visited a doctor. If the symptoms do not begin to improve within a week, however, it is a good idea to visit a doctor for further examination and treatment. Frequent or persistent yeast infections can indicate other potential health issues.

Discussion Comments

mzcurious38

I had unprotected sex with a guy recently. He likes to explore, but I don't. Anyway, he pushed a lollipop in my vagina. I have been itching since that night until now, only it has gotten worse. I have all the symptoms of yeast. What should I do?

anon341144

I have had a yeast infection for about three weeks. I've been using bath and body works soap so I changed to Summers Eve. I did the creams and and I'm taking azo. I have no itching or burning or any uncomfortable feeling. I just have a discharge that smells very yeasty. I don't know what more can do. How long does it take to go away?

anon337849

It took me three days for the ointment to work last time, and I didn't have it for a year, but I knew I had one yesterday, and I will use the same ointment called cipladine! Hope it helps.

turquoise

@ysmina-- Most of the time, a yeast infection will clear up within several days, up to a week. If it takes longer than that, it might be due to diabetes or menopause.

serenesurface

@ysmina-- I have and I started seeing results in a week and I think it was completely treated in several weeks.

It sounds to me like you have a recurring yeast infection. So technically, your yeast infection is probably treated in several weeks, but it returns a short time after.

You need to see your doctor again. I'm guessing that your doctor will put you on tablet medication now. I think the tablet medication is the best way to treat a yeast infection. I would have been put on that as well had the ointment not worked.

ysmina

I've had a yeast infection for months. I've been using an ointment prescribed to me by my doctor. It has done nothing.

A few weeks after I started using it, it felt like it was getting better. But no, it's still there. I think if the ointment was going to work, it would have worked by now right?

Has anyone treated their yeast infection with an ointment? How long did it take?

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    • Pills taken to treat a yeast infection may cure the infection in as little as one to three days.
      By: chaoss
      Pills taken to treat a yeast infection may cure the infection in as little as one to three days.
    • Yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter medication taken in the form of vaginal suppositories over 1, 3 or 7 days.
      By: Magalice
      Yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter medication taken in the form of vaginal suppositories over 1, 3 or 7 days.
    • Single-dose yeast infection pills require a prescription from a doctor.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Single-dose yeast infection pills require a prescription from a doctor.
    • Contracting an STD as a result of unsafe sexual practices may cause a woman to also develop a fungal vaginal infection.
      By: Peter Atkins
      Contracting an STD as a result of unsafe sexual practices may cause a woman to also develop a fungal vaginal infection.