Fact Check: Does Drinking Water Flush Out a Yeast Infection?

Dealing with a vaginal yeast infection is frustrating and uncomfortable, leaving many women searching for quick and natural remedies. Among the more common questions is, “Will water flush out a yeast infection?” Let’s explore this idea and understand whether increasing your water intake can make a difference in managing or preventing yeast infections — spoiler alert: it won’t, but wouldn’t it be awesome if treating a yeast infection were that simple?

Understanding vaginal yeast infections

A yeast infection, or vaginal candidiasis, is a common fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida, particularly Candida albicans. While Candida is usually kept in check by good bacteria like Lactobacilli, disruptions in this balance can lead to symptoms like vaginal itching and thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese. Most women will experience a yeast infection at some point, but it's generally easy to treat and not considered a serious health threat.

Various factors can trigger yeast overgrowth, including antibiotic use, hormonal changes from pregnancy or birth control, a compromised immune system, and uncontrolled diabetes. While not classified as an STI, being sexually active can increase the risk of developing a yeast infection. 

How much water to drink to flush out yeast infection

Unfortunately, simply drinking water won’t get rid of a yeast infection. While staying hydrated is important for overall health, water alone doesn’t directly impact the yeast causing the infection.

Yeast infections are caused by an imbalance in your vagina’s natural flora, not dehydration. Drinking water can help expel toxins, but it can’t treat or flush away the fungal overgrowth in your vagina. If you suspect you have a yeast infection, you’ll need antifungal treatment to address any triggers.

That said, staying hydrated is really important for your overall well-being. It helps your body retain moisture, supporting overall vaginal tissue health by keeping the vaginal canal moisturized and reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs occur when bacteria overgrow in your urinary system. Drinking a lot of water helps dilute your urine and will make you pee more frequently, allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract. For more acute UTIs symptoms, though, your healthcare provider will prescribe a course of antibiotics.

There are no hard and fast rules around how much water you should drink. Water intake recommendations depend on your sex, age, and activity levels. The usual recommendation for adults is to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Failing that, listen to your body and have a glass of water whenever you feel thirsty, which is a sign that you’re dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration include: 

• Having a dry mouth and lips
• Dark yellow urine
• Peeling less often
• Dizziness or head rushes 
• Fatigue 
• Headache. 

Hydration tips

• ​​Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day (more if it’s hot outside or you’re working out)
• Carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the day. 
• Incorporate water-rich fruits and vegetables into your diet, like cucumber, tomatoes, melon, and berries.
• Set reminders to drink throughout the day.
• Swap coffee for herbal tea.
• Add electrolytes to your water.
• Cut back on sugary drinks, which can dehydrate you.

Can hot water kill a yeast infection?

Hot water alone can’t kill a yeast infection. While washing your vulva with warm water can help keep the area clean, it doesn’t eliminate the Candida yeast causing the infection. 

Warmth might temporarily relieve outer itching or irritation, but it won't address the root cause. In fact, exposing your vaginal area to excessive heat or moisture — like hot baths or sweaty environments — can make symptoms worse by creating conditions where yeast thrives. Proper treatment usually involves antifungal medications, either over-the-counter or prescribed.

How to treat a vaginal yeast infection

Vaginal yeast infections are typically treated with over-the-counter medications or prescription antifungal creams, suppositories, or oral medications. Some common treatments include:

• Antifungal creams and suppositories: Available without a prescription, these are often the first line of defense against a mild yeast infection.
• Oral antifungal medications: In more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe a single-dose oral antifungal pill (like fluconazole).
• Boric acid: Boric acid may help treat recurrent yeast infections, especially when antifungals have failed, or when an atypical Candida species cause the infection. 

Some women try home remedies like yogurt, garlic, oregano oil, and tea tree oil to help restore balance in the vagina, but these “solutions” are mostly unproven and may do more harm than good. As uncomfortable as it is to have a yeast infection, it’s safest to stick to the recommended treatment options. Delaying treatment in favor of “natural” remedies could make the infection worse and more difficult to treat. 

It's important to see a healthcare provider if you're unsure whether you have a yeast infection, especially if your symptoms come back after treatment or recur frequently.

Lifestyle tips to prevent yeast infections

While yeast infections are sometimes unavoidable, there are a few things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing them:

1. Avoid douching: Douching can upset the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina, increasing the risk of infections.
2. Practice safe sex: Use barrier methods like condoms and dental dams, and opt for microbiome-friendly lube. 
3. Wear breathable fabrics: Opt for cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing to allow airflow and avoid trapping moisture, which encourages yeast growth.
4. Practice good hygiene: Keep the vaginal area clean and dry, but avoid using harsh soaps or scented products that can disrupt your natural pH balance.
5. Change out of wet clothes promptly: Whether from swimming or sweating, changing out of wet clothes as soon as possible helps prevent a moist environment where yeast thrives.
6. Limit antibiotic use: Only take antibiotics when necessary and follow your doctor’s instructions. Overuse can kill the good bacteria that keep yeast in check.
7. Manage blood sugar levels: If you have diabetes, maintaining good control of your blood sugar can reduce the risk of yeast infections.

While drinking water alone won’t treat a yeast infection, it’s still an essential part of maintaining overall health and well-being. To treat a yeast infection effectively, you’ll need to rely on antifungal medications or treatments.

When to seek medical attention

You should seek medical attention for a yeast infection if:

• It's your first yeast infection: If you’ve never had one before, it’s best to confirm the diagnosis with a healthcare provider.
• Symptoms are severe: This includes intense redness, swelling, vaginal itching, sores, or cracks in the skin around the vaginal opening.
• Recurrent infections: If you have three or more yeast infections within a year, you should see a doctor to rule out underlying conditions like diabetes or immune system issues.
• Symptoms persist or get worse: If you’ve tried over-the-counter treatments and they haven’t worked or symptoms are getting worse.
• Unusual symptoms: Such as foul-smelling vaginal discharge, fever, pelvic pain, or bleeding, which could indicate a different or more serious infection.
• You're pregnant: Always check with a healthcare provider before treating a yeast infection during pregnancy.

FAQ

Can you flush out a yeast infection by drinking water?

Drinking a lot of water can support your overall health, but it won't treat a yeast infection. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida in the vagina, and water alone cannot eliminate this fungal imbalance. Drinking water can, however, support the health of your vaginal tissues and help treat a urinary tract infection (along with antibiotics).

What is the fastest way to flush out a yeast infection? 

The fastest and most effective way to get rid of a yeast infection is with antifungal medication. You can buy antifungal creams or vaginal suppositories over the counter, and your symptoms should start to improve within a few days. That said, we’d always recommend seeing a healthcare provider or taking an Evvy Vaginal Health Test before trying to treat a yeast infection yourself — especially if this is your first yeast infection. Studies show that most of us aren’t that good at self-diagnosing a vaginal infection, and how effective a treatment is depends largely on what strain of Candida is causing a yeast infection. 

What drink kills yeast? 

There’s no evidence to show that any one specific drink can kill yeast overgrowth, especially not if you have a vaginal yeast infection. While research is starting to show that there’s a link between your gut and vaginal microbiome, experts still aren’t convinced that your diet (or specific foods) has a direct impact on your vaginal health, let alone on treating a yeast infection.

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