A vaginal yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis) is usually self-treatable at home when symptoms are mild and you've had one diagnosed before. The mainstay of treatment is an antifungal medicine — an OTC vaginal cream or suppository, or a single prescription oral pill that a doctor can prescribe — and symptoms usually start to ease within a few days, with full treatment courses running up to 7 days. If symptoms don't clear within about a week, or this is your first suspected infection, see a clinician rather than self-treating.
Available without a prescription — follow each label.
miconazole (vaginal) Monistat Azole antifungal (topical/intravaginal) | The most widely used OTC option. Comes as a cream or suppository in 1-, 3-, and 7-day regimens; the shorter courses use a higher dose per application. Works by killing the yeast (Candida) causing the infection. If you are pregnant, do not use any product without first confirming the choice with a provider. Note: antifungal creams can weaken latex condoms and diaphragms. |
clotrimazole (vaginal) Gyne-Lotrimin Azole antifungal (topical/intravaginal) | An intravaginal cream or tablet (pessary) that works by killing the yeast. Often paired with an external cream for the surrounding itch and irritation. Don't use it for more than 14 days without medical advice. Note: antifungal creams can damage the latex used in condoms and diaphragms, so your contraception may not work as well. |
tioconazole (vaginal) Vagistat-1 Azole antifungal (topical/intravaginal) | A single-dose intravaginal ointment — a convenient one-and-done OTC option for an uncomplicated infection. Best for people who've had a yeast infection diagnosed before and have mild symptoms. If symptoms don't improve within about a week, see a clinician. |
A doctor may prescribe these — not for self-treatment.
fluconazole (oral) Diflucan Azole antifungal (oral) | A doctor may prescribe a single 150 mg pill taken by mouth — a convenient alternative to vaginal creams, working from the inside out. For stubborn or recurrent cases a clinician may prescribe more than one dose or a longer course. This is prescription-only and should not be self-started. It is generally avoided in pregnancy; a provider would steer you to a vaginal product instead, and would advise on use while trying to conceive or breastfeeding. |
butoconazole (vaginal) Gynazole-1 Azole antifungal (intravaginal) | A single-dose intravaginal azole cream that, in the US, is prescription-only (FDA/DailyMed label: 'Rx Only') — not an OTC product. A doctor may prescribe it for an uncomplicated infection. It clears the yeast and relieves itching and burning, like the OTC vaginal azoles. |
fluconazole, maintenance regimen Diflucan Azole antifungal (oral) | For recurrent thrush (roughly four or more episodes a year), a doctor may prescribe a longer suppressive course — for example a weekly pill for up to 6 months — and may check for an underlying cause such as diabetes or a weakened immune system. This is a clinician-directed plan, not self-care. |
clotrimazole or miconazole, longer/maintenance course Azole antifungal (intravaginal) | A doctor may prescribe an extended or weekly intravaginal azole regimen for recurrent or treatment-resistant infections, or a pregnancy-appropriate course (typically the longer 7-day vaginal treatment), rather than a one-off dose. |
Choose by experience, severity, and who you are. If you've had a yeast infection diagnosed before and symptoms are mild (itching, thick discharge, no fever or pelvic pain), an OTC vaginal azole is reasonable: pick a 1-day product for convenience or a 3- to 7-day course if symptoms are more bothersome, and add an external cream for surface itch. If you prefer not to use a vaginal product, the prescription oral pill (fluconazole) is an alternative a doctor can offer — it should not be self-started, and it's generally avoided in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, only use a vaginal antifungal and confirm the choice with a pharmacist or provider first; do not take an anti-thrush tablet on your own. Note that single-dose butoconazole (Gynazole-1) is prescription-only in the US, so the genuinely OTC vaginal options are miconazole, clotrimazole, and tioconazole. Remember antifungal creams can damage latex condoms and diaphragms during use.
See a clinician — don't just self-treat — if this is your first suspected yeast infection (so the cause can be confirmed, since other conditions look similar); if OTC treatment doesn't clear symptoms within about a week, symptoms come back, or they get worse or change. Get medical care if you have fever, chills, lower belly or pelvic pain, a foul-smelling or unusual discharge, sores, or vaginal bleeding — these point to something other than a simple yeast infection (such as a sexually transmitted infection or pelvic infection). Also see a provider if you get four or more infections a year (recurrent thrush), if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, or if you might have been exposed to an STI. Recurrent or hard-to-clear infections may need testing for an underlying cause and a longer, clinician-directed treatment plan.
General reference, not medical advice, and not a substitute for your doctor or pharmacist. The right choice depends on your symptoms, health conditions, age, and other medicines — always read each label and confirm before taking anything.