OTC Yeast Infection Creams - Is it safe to do two courses?

The availability of over-the-counter (OTC) yeast infection treatments has made self-treatment very popular among women because of cost-effectiveness and convenience.  In the United States alone, antifungals are one of the top ten OTC drugs, with annual sales of about $250 million dollars.  Usually these OTC creams, and suppositories have up to an 80% success rate in treating vaginal yeast infections when taken properly.  However, in some instances, a person may need to take another course of treatment when the course of treatment is not followed properly, if they have an infection other than with Candida albicans, or if they have an underlying disorder that makes them more prone to infections, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system.  Although taking another course of an OTC medication is generally safe to do, it is highly recommended that a physician evaluate a person, so that the cause of the infection can be identified and properly treated.Improperly following the instructions or not completing a full course of treatment can lead to a reoccurrence of yeast.  OTC remedies are very effective, but if the treatment is shortened, Candida cannot be eradicated, and may multiply again, causing another infection in a short time.  Duration for OTC treatments range from 1 to 7 days, with a vaginal suppository or creams inserted at night.  It is best to continue to use the medication for the instructed length of time, even if the superficial symptoms resolve in two to three days.  Not all yeast infections are caused by the species Candida albicans.  There are other species of Candida, namely Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis that may be more resistant to treatments, and may need a longer treatment course.  Although it is difficult to differentiate between the different Candida species, a physician would be able to tell if it is truly a yeast infection and prescribe a longer course.  A study has shown that only thirty -three percent of women correctly diagnosed themselves as having a yeast infection. There are other conditions and sexually transmitted diseases that may be mistaken for a yeast infection.  A physician may be able to rule out other causes of the symptoms that are seen by a vaginal yeast infection with Candida, which includes itching, soreness, a white discharge, and red lesions in the area.  A speculum exam of the area as well as laboratory tests such as a KOH prep, a wet mount, and microscopic exam can differentiate Candida from an infection caused by bacteria, Trichomonas, Chlamydia, or Syphilis.  These are serious sexually transmitted diseases that can be transmitted to another partner, and require a different treatments.  Women with diabetes, AIDS, cancer, who are pregnant, or use antibiotics or oral contraceptives may find it harder to treat a yeast infection.  In some of these conditions, the immune system is somewhat compromised, making them susceptible to obtaining a yeast infection because of the change in the body’s normal make up of bacteria and other organisms.  With pregnancy and oral contraceptive use, there is an increased amount of estrogen in the body that may lead to increased yeast infections.  The best way to treat women with these conditions is to be under the care of a physician who can help control the underlying disorder and to prescribe prolonged, or even preventative antifungal treatments.