Discreet online care and prescription yeast infection treatments

Question 1

What are vaginal yeast infections?

Answer

Vaginal yeast infections are a common fungal infection that 75% of people with vaginas will have in their lifetime. Also called vulvovaginal candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis, they can cause symptoms like vaginal itching, vaginal irritation, vaginal redness and swollen vulva. They may also cause a thick, white vaginal discharge, a sensation of burning while peeing or pain during sex.

Question 2

What causes yeast infections?

Answer

Vaginal yeast infections happen when the balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina becomes disrupted, causing a specific type of yeast—candida—to overgrow. Conditions that can trigger this growth include:

Taking bacteria-killing antibiotics
Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause
Increased sugar levels in the urine from diabetes
A weakened immune system

Question 3

How long does a yeast infection last?

Answer

This depends on the infection’s severity. Some mild cases may go away on their own after a few days. But most require treatment. With the right treatment, moderate-to-severe infections usually go away after 1 to 2 weeks. If left untreated, these infections are more likely to keep happening—and get worse.

Question 4

Do I have a yeast infection or a UTI?

Answer

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition that can also trigger symptoms like frequent or painful urination (dysuria) and painful intercourse. Here’s how to tell these similar medical conditions apart:

UTI symptoms are usually related to urination. Symptoms specific to a UTI include smelly urine, needing to urinate more frequently than usual or cloudy, discolored urine.
Unlike UTIs, yeast infections often cause vaginal pain, vaginal soreness and a thick, odorless white discharge.
UTIs are more likely to cause lower abdominal pain or pain in the back and sides.

You can have a UTI and yeast infection at the same time. In some cases, antibiotics prescribed to treat UTIs can make a yeast infection more likely. Talk to a medical provider to make sure you have the proper treatment.

Learn more about online UTI treatment

Question 5

Can stress cause yeast infection?

Answer

High stress levels don’t cause yeast infections directly. (They’re caused by an overgrowth of candida yeast.) But stress can weaken the body’s immune system. So high stress levels may make infections more likely.

Question 6

What kind of vaginal yeast infection treatments does Dr. B offer?

Answer

Dr. B offers oral and vaginal suppository antifungal medications that restore natural bacteria and yeast to appropriate levels. The vaginal yeast infection pills (Fluconazole and its brand equivalent, Diflucan) and vaginal suppositories (Miconazole and Terconazole) are equally effective.

Question 7

How are yeast infection treatments taken?

Answer

The oral treatments Fluconazole and Diflucan are taken by mouth and often cure a yeast infection in a single dose. The vaginal suppositories Miconazole and Terconazole are inserted into the vagina using an applicator.

Question 8

What are common treatment side effects?

Answer

Common side effects of oral treatments include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. All of these side effects are usually mild.

Common side effects of vaginal suppositories include headache, stomach cramps and an itchy vagina. In rare cases, vaginal suppository medication can cause an allergic reaction or liver disease. Seek medical help if you experience symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, continuous vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine or itching and swelling of the face, tongue or throat.

Question 9

Are there potential drug interactions with vaginal yeast infection medicine?

Answer

Medication for a yeast infection may interact with other medications, including Clopidogrel, Asunaprevir, Flibanserin, Lemborexant and Warfarin. To avoid an interaction, talk to your medical provider about your medical history and provide a complete list of your current prescriptions.

Question 10

How can I get a prescription for yeast infection online?

Answer

Dr. B offers convenient online yeast infection prescriptions via an online consultation with vetted medical providers—no video chat required. Fill out our online health assessment with your current symptoms and medical history. A licensed medical provider will review your assessment. If they recommend a prescription treatment, they will send it to the pharmacy of your choice.

Question 11

How much does yeast infection treatment cost?

Answer

Consultation: A virtual medical consultation for yeast infection costs $15, which is lower than most doctor copays. Currently, we don’t submit medical consultation claims to insurance companies. But you can use insurance for any resulting prescription at your pharmacy.

Medication: Dr. B only charges for the medical consultation. When medications are prescribed, we let you choose the most affordable or convenient pharmacy to fill the prescription. Your medication prices will vary depending on your insurance coverage and whether the drug is a brand or generic.

Question 12

Do you accept insurance?

Answer

Right now, we don’t submit medical consultation claims to health insurance companies. But you can use insurance for any resulting prescriptions at your pharmacy.