Dear lostone1,

Left untreated, a yeast infection can last for a very long time. Treatments for yeast infections include prescription and over-the-counter medications. Pills, taken orally, require a prescription. Several vaginal creams and suppositories are available without a prescription. Most of these are used for one to seven days. Treatment is successful more than 90 percent of the time.

Sometimes symptoms that may seem like yeast can be caused by another kind of infection. And if that's what's going on, yeast treatments won't help. There are vaginal infections besides yeast that share similar symptoms of itchiness, pain, and discharge. In fact, studies have found that many women misdiagnose their own vaginal yeast infections. If you use an over-the-counter treatment when you don't really have a yeast infection, you could be building a resistance to medication. That means the next time you have a real yeast infection, it may be much harder to get rid of. And — more importantly — the real problem is left ignored. That's why it's so important to be diagnosed by a health care provider.

If you think you have a yeast infection, see your current health care provider. Or call 1-800-230-PLAN to make an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.