Who Is At Higher Risk Of Developing A Yeast Infection
Any woman at any age can get a yeast infection and most will experience at least one in their lifetime, but it is more than likely to occur in women after puberty and before menopause.
Another risk factor is having higher estrogen levels.
You may have higher estrogen levels if you are pregnant, taking high-dose estrogen birth control pills, or undergoing estrogen hormone therapy.
Diabetes or a weakened immune system can also put you at an increased risk for yeast infections.
Our physicians can prescribe antibiotics for various conditions, but only if necessary. Chat with a provider to see which treatment option is best for you.
Is Flagyl An Antifungal
Metronidazole, marketed under the brand name Flagyl amongst others, can be an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication. It can be used either alone or with other antibiotics to treat pelvic inflammatory disease, endocarditis, and bacterial vaginosis. Metronidazole is obtainable orally, as a cream, and intravenously.
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What Can I Do About The Flagyl Taste
Metronidazole leaves a bitter, metallic taste in your mouth. This is a well-known side effect. For many, the bad taste lasts throughout treatment, too, not just when you’re swallowing the medicine.
How can you mask the bad tase of metronidazole?
- During treatment, have a supply of sweet hard candies or mints to help mask the taste.
- If the bitter taste is only difficult when you’re swallowing your medicine, try masking with chocolate, like chocolate pudding or chocolate milk.
- If you can’t tolerate the taste at all, or if you have nausea or vomiting, ask your doctor if there are other options to treat your infection.
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What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Using Metronidazole
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to metronidazole, secnidazole, or tinidazole, or if:
- you drank alcohol in the past 3 days
- you consumed foods or medicines that contain propylene glycol in the past 3 days or
- you took disulfiram within the past 14 days.
May harm an unborn baby. Do not use metronidazole to treat trichomoniasis during the first trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Not all uses of metronidazole are approved for treating children and teenagers. Metronidazole is not approved to treat vaginal infections in girls who have not begun having menstrual periods.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney disease
- a heart rhythm disorder
- a stomach or intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease
- a blood cell disorder such as anemia or low white blood cell counts
- a fungal infection anywhere in your body or
- a nerve disorder.
Metronidazole has caused cancer in animal studies. However, it is not known whether this would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk.
You should not breastfeed within 24 hours after using metronidazole. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out the milk and do not feed it to your baby.
Treatment Of Ibd Diarrhea
In some cases, Flagyl may be used to treat infections or other complications of IBD. It might be given alternately or at the same time as ciprofloxacin, another type of antibiotic.
Antibiotics kill off bacteria in the body. But many can’t distinguish between different bacteria types. Therefore, with some antibiotics, “good” bacteria in the colon may be killed along with the “bad.” This results in diarrhea.
However, Flagyl doesn’t tend to cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In fact, it may be a treatment for it.
If you experience serious side effects, immediately call your healthcare provider or seek medical care.
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How Do You Know If Metronidazole Is Working
For some of the infections that metronidazole is used for, you may only begin to notice an improvement after a week. When using the cream or gel to treat rosacea, you may have to wait a few weeks before you see any improvement. Its very important that you keep taking metronidazole until the course is finished.
Metronidazole Contraindications & Warnings
Metronidazole may not be the right treatment for everyone. Some people may be more sensitive to metronidazole, making other drug options a better fit. If people have had an allergic reaction while taking metronidazole in the past, they should make sure to tell a healthcare provider. They should discuss taking a different antibiotic to avoid another reaction.
Fortunately, metronidazole does not create dependency. High doses of the drug may cause more severe nausea and vomiting, as well as a lack of muscle coordination . If overdose is expected, people should call their local poison control or go to the emergency room for evaluation.
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Take Metronidazole As Directed
People should follow their healthcare providers directions when taking metronidazole. The dosing and treatment depend on what infection is being treated. Since metronidazole is available in a variety of formulations, a doctor can prescribe a topical or vaginal formulation to help lessen side effects if appropriate for the type of infection. Healthcare providers may prescribe a dose once to a few times a day, or a single one-time dose. Its important to read through the drug information provided by the pharmacy when picking up medication.
Can A Yeast Infection Turn Into Bv
In contrast to BV, a vaginal yeast infection is the effect of a fungus called candida. Symptoms of BV and an infection from yeast both usually include vaginal discharge. BV typically causes discharge thats thin and gray or yellow. A yeast infection causes discharge that is thick and white, with a cottage-cheese type appearance.
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Pros And Cons Of Metronidazole
While Metronidazole is effective in treating infections caused by anaerobic bacteria, it is not without drawbacks. The following are some pros and cons of Metronidazole.
Pros of Metronidazole
- It treats a variety of bacterial infections effectively.
- Oral medication of Metronidazole can be taken with or without food.
- Easily absorbed in body tissues and fluids.
Cons of Metronidazole
Harmful effects on the neurological system and digestive tract: Adverse effects from a single dose of Metronidazole may cause gastrointestinal symptoms. The adverse effect of long-term use may cause neurological damage or convulsive seizures.
It can cause side effects or allergies like nausea, metallic mouth taste, headache, stomach pain, etc., to some people.
Contraindications include increased bleeding risks in people on a blood thinner medication like warfarin.
It can result in extensive metabolism in the drug-metabolizing enzyme system of the liver.
Interactions Between Metronidazole And Other Medications
According to a study from eHealth, drug interactions could alter how your medications function or raise the possibility of significant adverse side effects. Drug interactions with metronidazole vaginal gel are severe with amprenavir and disulfiram.
You should avoid using this drug if youve recently used amprenavir or disulfiram. Note that taking products containing alcohol or propylene glycol while using this medication may cause drug-drug interactions. If you take them, wait for at least 24 hours after stopping this medication.
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What Are Side Effects Associated With Using Metronidazole
Common Side effects of Metronidazole include:
- Loss of control of bodily movements
- Disulfiram-type reaction with ethanol
Side effects of metronidazole from postmarketing reports include:
- Difficult or painful sexual intercourse
- Rectal pain and inflammation
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.
Is It A Yeast Infection Or Something Else Four Conditions To Consider
Vaginal concerns can be a common occurrence. Sometimes the cause is obvious such as changes in menstrual cycle, sexual activity or a new product you may be using. Other times, the cause is not as clear.
Since many have had a yeast infection before it may be easy to assume your recurrent symptoms have the same cause, however that is not always the case.
A vaginal yeast infection is a common fungal infection that causes burning, itching, discharge and discomfort in the vulvar and vaginal areas, said Jennifer Nelson, DO, an internal medicine-pediatric specialist at Banner University Medicine Internal Medicine Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. Although its common, many other vaginal conditions can mimic a yeast infection but require different treatment. This is why its always important to discuss symptoms with your doctor to ensure that you are receiving the correct treatment.
As Dr. Nelson mentioned, there are a few common conditions that can be mistaken for yeast infections. She walked us through four other important vaginal health issues to consider when these symptoms arise.
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Avoid Sexual Intercourse If You Are Taking Metronidazole For Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection, meaning that people became infected as the result of having sexual intercourse with someone who has it. Metronidazole is a common medication used to treat this infection. If someone is being treated for trichomoniasis, their partner may also need to be treated. This prevents people from becoming reinfected after treatment is finished. Avoid having sexual intercourse until finishing the entire course of antibiotics and have been given approval by a healthcare professional. Its also important to avoid sexual intercourse when using the vaginal gel form of metronidazole.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to metronidazole, secnidazole, or tinidazole, or if:
-
you drank alcohol in the past 3 days
-
you consumed foods or medicines that contain propylene glycol in the past 3 days or
-
you took disulfiram within the past 14 days.
May harm an unborn baby. Do not use metronidazole to treat trichomoniasis during the first trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Not all uses of metronidazole are approved for treating children and teenagers. Metronidazole is not approved to treat vaginal infections in girls who have not begun having menstrual periods.
To make sure you can safely take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
-
kidney disease
-
a heart rhythm disorder
-
a stomach or intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease
-
a blood cell disorder such as anemia or low white blood cell counts
-
a fungal infection anywhere in your body or
-
a nerve disorder.
Metronidazole has caused cancer in animal studies. However, it is not known whether this would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk.
You should not breastfeed within 24 hours after using metronidazole. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out the milk and do not feed it to your baby.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Metronidazole
Metronidazole vaginal gel side effects might occur when medication does more than treating the intended problem. The most common vaginal metronidazole side effects differ depending on the patients overall health, condition stage, age, weight, and gender. They may range from minor to severe.
Below is a list of side effects of using Vaginal Metronidazole:
You must consult your doctor if you experience these symptoms while using Metronidazole vaginal gel.
Take Metronidazole With Food
Oral metronidazole may cause an upset stomach, or even vomiting. Side effects tend to be worse when taking metronidazole tablets or capsules on an empty stomach. Unless the metronidazole is extended-release, pairing doses with a meal or snack will help prevent these adverse reactions from occurring or becoming severe.
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Which Treatments Are Effective For Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis can cause symptoms such as discharge with an unpleasant smell. The clindamycin and metronidazole are both effective treatments for bacterial vaginosis. There has not yet been enough research on the possible benefits of lactic acid treatments.
Bacterial vaginosis is quite common and caused by changes in the vaginal flora that allow the rapid growth of specific types of .
The infection can cause a thin, grayish-white discharge with an unpleasant smell, but it often goes undetected. If it does produce symptoms, can be used as an effective treatment, even during pregnancy. Treatment can help lower the slightly increased risk of miscarriage due to the infection, too.
Strengths And Uses: Metronidazole
Your metronidazole dose and length of therapy will vary depending upon your infection. It’s often prescribed to be taken by mouth two or three times a day for 7 to 14 days it depends upon the type of infection you have.
Oral metronidazole comes in three oral strengths:
- 250 and 500 mg strength, regular-release tablets
- 375 mg regular release capsules.
Metronidazole is used to treat many common infections like:
- bacterial vaginosis
- bacterial stomach or intestinal infections
- pelvic inflammatory diseases
- trichomoniasis .
It’s also available in an intravenous formulation for injection, and as a cream or lotion for use in acne treatment or rosacea, and in a topical gel for vaginal infections .
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What Should I Watch For While Using This Medication
Tell your care team if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
Ask your care team if you should avoid alcohol. Many nonprescription cough and cold products contain alcohol. Metronidazole can cause an unpleasant reaction when taken with alcohol. The reaction includes flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and increased thirst. The reaction can last from 30 minutes to several hours.
If you are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease, avoid sexual contact until you have finished your treatment. Your sexual partner may also need treatment.
Flagyl: Decades Of Bad Side Effects
The US Food and Drug Administration first approved Flagyl way back in the 1960’s, so you’ve probably taken it, or know someone who has.
It’s a potent drug in the nitroimidazole class used to treat bacterial infections of the:
- stomach and intestine
- respiratory tract.
Metronidazole is bactericidal and is also used to treat protozaol infections like Trichomoniasis, Giardiasis or Amebiasis. It’s used to treat ominous sounding organisms such as Bacteriodes fragilis, Helicobacter pylori, and Giardia lamblia.
Flagyl is an important drug in the world of medicine, but it’s linked with many difficult side effects. So how can you better tolerate this medicine to cure what is most likely a serious infection?
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What Is Bacterial Vaginosis
BV is an infection caused by changes in the vaginas healthy bacteriamost often when a strain of bacteria called Gardnerella vaginalisoutnumbers another strainLactobacillus, causing the vaginas normal pH levels to shift. Normal vaginal pH is somewhere between 3.5 to 4.5, explains Lauren F. Streicher, M.D., an OB-GYN and medical director of Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. If those levels rise, it means theres not enough Lactobacillus and too much of the less-friendly bacteria. Put more usefully, it causes that itching, discharge, and odor that makes BV so uncomfortable.
If you get BV, dont take it personallyits the most common vaginal infection in women 15-44. A 2004 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 21.2 million of women ages 1449 have experienced BV. So yeah, youre not alone.
Its important to note that BV is not an STIthough it can increase your chances of getting one, according to the CDC. It is, however, what doctors call sexually associated, meaning it can flare up due to sex .
Can Metronidazole Cure Yeast Infection
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The Effect Of Oral Metronidazole On The Vaginal Microbiome Of Patients With Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis: A Pilot Investigational Study
The vaginal microbiomes of recurrent BV patients differ significantly from healthy controls.
-
Metronidazole temporarily reinstates healthy vaginal flora of recurrent BV patients.
-
Oral Metronidazole is insufficient long-term treatment for recurrent BV.
-
Future research into alternative treatment and cure for BV warranted.
How Are Antibiotics Used
Symptoms are usually treated with an antibiotic such as clindamycin or metronidazole as a cream, vaginal suppositories or tablets, or oral tablets. Treatment can last one to seven days depending on the exact drug used, its form and the dose, and the severity of the symptoms. Your doctor can help you decide what type of treatment is most suitable for you.
If you’ve been prescribed , it’s important to be careful about using them correctly. That especially means using the medicine regularly and for as long as prescribed: Stopping early, for instance if the symptoms have already cleared up, contributes to the development of resistant strains of .
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How To Treat A Vaginal Yeast Infection
Vaginal yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal suppositories. Treatment takes up to one week and in most cases its effective. The most common medications for vaginal yeast infection are Monistat and Clotrimazole.
Sometimes yeast infections are difficult to treat and they become chronic. In that case, one of the most potent but at the same time completely natural remedies is boric acid suppositories. Boric acid has been shown to successfully treat persistent and recurrent yeast infections providing lasting results.
One of the best products of this type on the market is BoriCap, they offer same day shipment making it easier for you to start your treatment as soon as possible.
Antibiotics are one of the main causes of yeast infections in women. Metronidazole has been scientifically shown to trigger yeast infections.
Thats why, when youre taking Flagyl remember to supplement your diet with probiotic supplements and probiotic-rich foods.
You can also use probiotic suppositories to further boost your immunity and cut your risk of developing an infection.
If youre already suffering from a yeast infection triggered by antibiotics check my article about different vaginal yeast infection treatment options, or if you prefer, visit my page about natural home remedies for vaginal yeast infection.