Getting rid of a vaginal infection depends entirely on which type you have, because the three most common types require different treatments. Yeast infections can often be cleared with over-the-counter antifungal creams or suppositories, while bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis both require prescription medication. Using the wrong treatment won’t help and can delay healing, so identifying the infection correctly is the first step.
Identifying Which Infection You Have
The three most common vaginal infections, yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and trichomoniasis, share some overlapping symptoms but have distinct patterns that help tell them apart.
Yeast infections produce thick, white, clumpy discharge often described as cottage cheese-like. The hallmark is intense itching and irritation of the vulva, sometimes with redness and swelling. There’s usually no strong odor.
Bacterial vaginosis is characterized by thin, grayish-white discharge with a noticeable fishy smell, especially after sex. Itching and irritation are typically milder than with a yeast infection, and some people with BV have no symptoms at all.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause a range of symptoms from mild irritation to severe inflammation. Discharge may be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish with a fishy odor. Itching, burning, redness, and soreness of the genitals are common. Some people with trich also experience discomfort during urination or sex.
If you’re unsure which infection you’re dealing with, or if this is your first time experiencing symptoms, getting tested is the most reliable path. A clinician can confirm the type with a simple swab, and many telehealth services now offer this as well.
Treating a Yeast Infection
Uncomplicated yeast infections respond well to over-the-counter antifungal creams and suppositories, available at most pharmacies without a prescription. These topical treatments come in 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day options. The shorter courses use a higher concentration of medication, but all are similarly effective. A single-dose prescription oral antifungal is also an option if you prefer a pill over a topical treatment.
Most yeast infections clear within a week. If you’ve treated a yeast infection twice and symptoms persist, it’s worth getting evaluated. What feels like a stubborn yeast infection can sometimes be a different condition entirely, or a less common strain of yeast that doesn’t respond to standard antifungals.
For recurrent yeast infections (four or more per year), boric acid vaginal suppositories are sometimes recommended. A three-week course clears the infection in roughly 70% of cases. Boric acid is toxic if swallowed and should only be used vaginally in capsule form, never during pregnancy.
Treating Bacterial Vaginosis
BV requires prescription antibiotics. The standard treatment is a 7-day course of oral antibiotics or a 5- to 7-day course of vaginal antibiotic gel or cream. Your provider will determine which form makes the most sense based on your history and preferences. If you’re prescribed a vaginal cream that uses an oil-based formulation, be aware that it can weaken latex condoms for up to 72 hours after use.
BV is notorious for coming back. Roughly half of people treated for BV experience a recurrence within 12 months. Completing the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve after a few days, helps reduce that risk.
Treating Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite, not bacteria or yeast, so it requires a specific type of prescription antibiotic. Treatment is straightforward and usually involves a single oral dose.
The critical difference with trich is that all current sexual partners must be treated at the same time. Without concurrent partner treatment, reinfection is almost guaranteed. Both you and your partner should avoid sex until treatment is complete and symptoms have fully resolved. In some states, your provider can prescribe medication for your partner without seeing them in person.
When Symptoms Point to Something Else
Not every vaginal symptom is a yeast infection or BV. Pelvic pain, fever, irregular bleeding between periods, or painful fluid-filled sores around the vagina suggest something that needs prompt medical attention. Chlamydia, for instance, can cause profuse discharge and pelvic pain but requires a completely different antibiotic. Herpes outbreaks often start with fever and swollen lymph nodes before painful blisters appear. These conditions won’t respond to over-the-counter yeast treatments and need specific testing to diagnose.
Why Douching Makes Things Worse
Douching is one of the most well-studied risk factors for vaginal infections, and the evidence against it is consistent and strong. Women who douche regularly have a 21% higher risk of developing BV compared to those who don’t. In one study, women who had douched within the previous six months had seven times the odds of reporting BV. The risk increases with frequency: those who douche daily are significantly more likely to develop BV than occasional douchers.
The damage goes beyond BV. Douching nearly doubles the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes that can lead to infertility. It also increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy and preterm birth. The vagina maintains its own ecosystem of protective bacteria, and flushing it with water, soap, or commercial douching products disrupts that balance, creating an opening for harmful bacteria to take over.
Habits That Help Prevent Recurrence
Beyond avoiding douching, several practical changes can reduce your risk of recurring infections. Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid sitting in wet swimsuits or workout clothes for extended periods. Moisture and warmth create ideal conditions for yeast overgrowth.
Diet plays a role for yeast infections specifically. Yeast feeds on sugar, and high sugar intake can promote overgrowth, especially if you have uncontrolled diabetes or consistently elevated blood sugar. Cutting back on white flour, white rice, sugary drinks, and foods made with simple sugars can help. Increasing your intake of healthy fats, proteins, and low-starch vegetables shifts the balance away from what yeast thrives on.
Wash the vulva with warm water only, or with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser on the external skin. Scented soaps, bubble baths, and vaginal deodorant sprays can irritate the tissue and disrupt the natural bacterial environment. Wipe front to back after using the bathroom to prevent introducing bacteria from the rectum.
What About Probiotics?
Probiotic supplements marketed for vaginal health are popular, but the clinical evidence is underwhelming. Multiple studies testing oral probiotic strains, including the most commonly recommended ones, found no significant impact on vaginal bacterial composition compared to placebo. A trial giving women a combination of four different probiotic strains for four weeks showed no change in overall vaginal microbiome diversity. This doesn’t mean probiotics are harmful, but they shouldn’t be relied on as a treatment or primary prevention strategy. Eating fermented foods like yogurt is unlikely to hurt, but there’s no strong evidence it will prevent vaginal infections either.