Vaginal fungus treatment

If the vagina and external genitals burn and itch, this is usually a sign of a fungal infection. Around three quarters of all women will experience a symptomatic fungal infection of the vagina, also known medically as vaginal mycosis, at least once during their lifetime.

Vaginal fungus: treatment with antimycotics

Many remedies for vaginal thrush are available over the counter from pharmacies. The antimycotics for vaginal fungus are ointments and suppositories or vaginal tablets for local application. The common active ingredients are

  • Clotrimazole
  • Miconazole
  • Fenticonazole
  • Ciclopirox
  • Nystatin
  • Amphotericin B

It is best to follow the pharmacist’s recommendation for use. There are products that only need to be used for three days or six days, with others you only take a single vaginal tablet plus cream to treat the external genital area for a week.

Adhere to the recommended treatment duration if possible. Even if the discomfort is no longer noticeable after just one or two applications. If you discontinue treatment, you risk a renewed flare-up of the infection.

Incidentally, the partner usually does not need to be treated for vaginal fungus unless he or she also has a fungal infection in the genital area.

Alternatively, antimycotics can also be swallowed as tablets. These are only available on prescription. A single dose is often sufficient. If the symptoms are very pronounced, the preparations are sometimes combined.

It should be noted that not every itching or burning sensation is due to a fungal infection. Repeated use of local preparations can also have adverse effects, such as triggering intolerance reactions.

If the treatment does not work for the woman or the vaginal mycosis keeps recurring, a specialist examination should definitely take place. This makes it possible to rule out other causes for the symptoms or resistance to the usual antifungal agents. Fungal cultures and specific resistance tests can be used in our vulva consultation to take a close look at such problems.

Home remedies for vaginal fungus

Vaginal thrush is basically a very unpleasant but usually harmless disease with a very high cure rate. This is why people often rely on home remedies. There is no scientific proof of the positive effect of these home remedies. What is certain, however, is that they can not only strain the already irritated mucous membrane in the intimate area. Allergies are also possible.

Even the diet against fungi that is repeatedly recommended by avoiding sugar is hardly effective against yeast fungi such as Candida albicans. Although the fungus needs sugar for its metabolism, it can modulate this function and manage without sugar.

For patients

You can either register yourself or be referred by your primary care physician or gynecologist.

Tel. +41 44 255 50 36

Monday – Friday from 8.00 – 17.00

Self-registration

For referrering physicians

University Hospital Zurich
Department of Gynecology
Frauenklinikstrasse 10
8091 Zurich

Tel. +41 44 255 50 36
Patient registration form

Responsible Department

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