Here are your answers from your questions:
Q: I'm on the third day of a seven-day treatment, and my symptoms are all gone. Can I stop using the medication?
A: No, you need to use all of the medication as directed. Your symptoms can disappear before the overgrowth of Candida yeast is gone. If you stop using the medication now, the yeast infection could recur.
Q: I have vaginal itching and a discharge with a fishy odor. Is this a yeast infection?
A: No, a discharge with a fishy odor is not a symptom of a yeast infection, but more typically of bacterial vaginosis, another common vaginal condition. This illness is treated completely differently from a yeast infection; be sure to consult your health care professional.
Q: I thought douching helped keep a woman clean; what is the risk in douching?
A: The healthy vaginal ecosystem requires just the right balance of bacteria flora. Nearly 95 percent of vaginal mucosa, which protects against pathogens, is made up of healthy bacteria called lactobacillus. These bacteria make hydrogen peroxide that keep unhealthy bacteria from getting out of hand. Too much douching can disrupt the bacterial balance, and lead to infection.
Q: My health care professional has prescribed antibiotics to treat an unrelated illness. What precautions should I take to avoid getting a yeast infection?
A: Use a preventive dose of yeast medication and eat yogurt.