How To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection In 24 Hours [Step-By-Step Guide]
Are you facing thick vaginal discharge, itching, rashes, or a burning sensation? It’s vaginal candidiasis or vaginal yeast infection. Candida albicans, a type of yeast, is found in the vagina, but irritations, inflammation, and unhealthy discharge happen when it overgrows. So, how to get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours?
I am here to present a step-by-step guide for you. Also, I will share a brief account of why it happens, what practices can prevent this health issue, and answers to some frequently asked questions.
Why Does Vaginal Yeast Infection Happen?
There can be many causes behind getting a vaginal yeast infection. There are hormonal changes in your body during your menstrual period and pregnancy. Those crazy hormones can make Candida albicans overgrow and cause itching and other discomfort.
Further, the antibiotics we take can cause a lot of after-effects in our bodies. Yes, we take those medicines to fight harmful bacteria in our bodies. But they can also kill good bacteria like lactobacillus, which stops the multiplication of Candida albicans. So, if you are taking too many antibiotics these days, your vagina becomes prone to yeast infection.
Certain medical conditions like spiked blood sugar levels can also boost vaginal yeast growth.
But major external reasons behind having a vaginal yeast infection are STIs or sexually transmitted infections. So, if you have a yeast infection after sex, consult a gynecologist at the soonest possible. And if you are not planning a baby, you can always use protective measures to avoid these situations.
Off topic check out the best probiotic for women which gets you more energy in your daily life.
How To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection In 24 Hours?
First, let me burst the bubble. You cannot get rid entirely of yeast infection within 24 hours. Yes, over-the-counter medicines and some topical ointments can alleviate irritations, itching, or other discomforts within a few hours. Also, many may suggest some home remedies to get some relief. However, the efficacy of these remedies is not beyond question.
But if you want the complete removal of the infection, it will take three to seven days. I am sharing the step-by-step guide on how a vaginal yeast infection is treated medically.
- Diagnosis
The first step in getting rid of a yeast infection is proper diagnosis. The step itself consists of various stages or activities.
- Assessing The Medical History Of The Patient
Your doctor will always ask you to share your medical history when visiting them for vaginal yeast infection treatment. You will need to transfer from when you face the discomforts, the symptoms, past instances of similar infections, and the medicines you take. Also, don’t forget to mention if you have diabetes.
- A Pelvic Examination
Your gynecologist will assess the visible signs of infections on the outer areas of your genitalia. Then the doctor will open the walls of your vagina by inserting a speculum instrument. Thus, he will check the condition of the vagina and cervix.
- Examining Vaginal Secretions
This is the third and final stage of diagnosis for a vaginal yeast infection. A sample of vaginal secretion is collected and tested in the lab to identify the bacteria causing this infection. Once the bacteria are found, prescribing treatments and medicines become much easier for the doctor.
- Treatment
There are various methods of treatment for a vaginal yeast infection. The treatment method will vary based on the cause, condition, and frequency of infections.
- Treatments For Mild To Moderate Infections
Usually, two methods are followed to treat patients with mild to moderate vaginal infections. Your doctor may suggest vaginal therapy on a short-term basis.
Ointments, suppositories like terconazole and miconazole, tablets, and creams are used in short-term vaginal therapies. These therapies usually take three to seven days to remove the infection.
Doctors also prescribe oral medicines like fluconazole to treat mild to moderate vaginal yeast infections. The doctor will determine the doses as per the severity of the infection.
- Treatments For Moderate To Severe Infections
Vaginal yeast infections can become severe or return in short intervals. If the short-term therapies and single-dose medications don’t help, your doctor may use other treatment methods.
- Azole Resistant Therapy
This method is used when the vaginal yeast infection is most severe and other antifungal remedies don’t work. A boric acid capsule is pushed inside your vagina to combat the Candida fungus.
- Vaginal Therapy For Long Term
Your doctor may advise you to use the prescribed tablets, ointments, creams, and suppositories every day for a fortnight span.
Once the first fortnight is completed, you may need to use the medicines once a week for six months. Ciclopirox, nystatin, and clotrimazole are used in vaginal therapies to combat yeast infections.
- Multidose Oral Drugs
Instead of vaginal therapy, a doctor may also ask you to take fluconazole orally. However, this medicine is not suitable for pregnant women.
Things To Do To Prevent Vaginal Yeast Infections:
A vaginal yeast infection can be annoying. So, along with “how to get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours,” you must also look for what you can do to prevent such infections.
Let’s get the basics right first! Maintain essential cleanliness and vaginal health and practice safe sex.
Make some changes to your diet and cut the consumption of processed food and sugar. I know you have a sweet tooth, but yeasts love sugar. That’s why diabetic women are more prone to having vaginal yeast infections. Instead, yogurt, a food item helping the growth of lactobacillus, can be an excellent inclusion in your diet.
Loosely-fitted cotton underwear is the best to let your vaginal area breathe. Also, those garments should be properly cleaned in warm water using mild detergent.
Things To Avoid:
Do not stay in your wet lingerie or swimsuit for long hours. By wearing wet clothes, you will be creating the ideal environment for yeast growth. Also, avoid deodorant sprays, douches, or lotions for your vagina.
These artificial elements can ruin the balance of candida and lactobacillus in your vagina.
Final Words
If how to get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours is your concern, make a note that vaginal yeast infections don’t go away within a day. So, don’t trust anyone promising you the same.
It’s always smarter to seek medical help when experiencing itching, burning sensations, rashes, or unusual vaginal discharge. The more delay you make in consulting your physician, the more aggravating the situation will become.
And for sure, this health issue cannot be healed with proper medical diagnosis and treatment.
Take care!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It can take three to seven days if you want to know how long does a yeast infection last. However, this timespan is only applicable for mild to moderate infections.
Severe infections may take a few weeks to get cured. Further, if your vaginal infections are coming back frequently, you can be on medications for even months.
Nothing can cure BV in one day. Bacterial vaginosis takes at least two to three days to get cured. Your doctor will suggest antibiotics and vaginal creams, gels, or suppositories to get rid of this problem.
There are many reasons behind getting a yeast infection on anus. If you are wearing unwashed or wet underwear for long hours, you are likely to develop a yeast infection in your anus.
Also, if you frequently eat processed food and things with high sugar, dairy products, and refined grains, there will be an excessive accumulation of yeast in the intestines. The yeast in the intestines may come down to the anal canal and cause infections.
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written by
sibashree bhattacharya
Sibashree has been into SEO and eCommerce content writing for more than 9 years. She loves reading books and is a huge fan of those over-the-top period dramas. Her favorite niches are fashion, lifestyle, beauty, traveling, relationships, women's interests, and movies. The strength of her writing lies in thorough research backing and an understanding of readers’ pain points.
