How Not To Get A Yeast Infection While On Antibiotics

Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection

If you think you are suffering from a vaginal yeast infection, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain or discomfort when urinating

Mild yeast infections will go away on their own after a few days.

But in most cases, they will get progressively worse if left untreated.

Speak with your healthcare provider to find the best treatment option for you.

List Of Antibiotics That Cause Yeast Infections

Broad-spectrum antibiotics, rather than antibiotics with a narrow target, are more likely to lead to yeast infections because the antibiotic will likely kill many types of bacteria. These antibiotics dont distinguish between bad bacteria and good bacteria. Medications that increase your chances of getting a yeast infection include:

• Certain types of penicillin including amoxicillin and augmentin
• Steroids such as prednisone
• Tetracyclines like doxycycline

Remedies And Treatments For Yeast Infections

The most effective treatment for yeast infections is a dedicated course of antifungal medication. However, you can also try several home remedies if you are waiting to see a doctor for a diagnosis and prescription. Here are six treatments for yeast infections.

Take Probiotics

Many yeast infections occur when your immune system is busy or damaged. Itâs common to experience yeast infections while on antibiotics because your bodyâs normal bacteria die off.

Eat Yogurt

Yogurt is another healthy source of probiotics. Just make sure that you eat the yogurt. It doesnât offer any benefits when applied topically, and the sugar thatâs present in all yogurt may cause other infections as well.

Apply Saltwater Rinses

Yeast infections can sometimes be reduced and soothed by rinsing the area gently with saltwater. Mix a half teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. For oral thrush, you can gently swish the mixture around in your mouth. For other areas of your body, you can soak the infected area for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Apply Coconut Oil

Coconut oil seems to act as an antifungal agent both in the lab and in people.

You can gently apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the site of the yeast infection. This may help kill off some of the yeast and may soothe irritated, dry, uncomfortable skin, allowing it to heal.

Take Antifungal Medications

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How Is A Yeast Infection Treated

Yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal medicine. See your doctor or nurse to make sure that you have a vaginal yeast infection and not another type of infection.

Your doctor or nurse can also give you a single dose of antifungal medicine taken by mouth, such as fluconazole . If you get more than four vaginal yeast infections a year, or if your yeast infection doesn’t go away after using over-the-counter treatment, you may need to take regular doses of antifungal medicine for up to six months.

Alternate Diagnoses And Treatment Options For Yeast Infections

Some functional and alternative health practitioners believe that candida goes beyond acute infections or rare invasive conditions. They believe that many individuals have chronic candida, perhaps without knowing it. The theory is that chronic yeast overgrowth leads to a vast array of symptoms and illnesses, including fatigue, leaky gut syndrome, and even depression. While modern Western medicine largely dismisses this theory, the idea has become popularized, specifically among people whose health conditions are not attributable to other diagnoses.

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What Increases My Risk Of Getting A Yeast Infection

Certain factors make you more likely to get a vaginal yeast infection.

Certain factors can increase your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection. Some of those are:

Certain lifestyle risk factors also increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:

• Sitting in a wet bathing suit.
• Not changing out of sweaty clothes.
• Wearing scented tampons or using a vaginal deodorant.

Can Antibiotics Trigger A Yeast Infection

Sadly, yes. The risk of getting a yeast infection after taking antibiotics is between 10-30%. All antibiotics can cause yeast infections, but there are a few factors that can determine your likelihood of getting a yeast infection after a course of antibiotics.

Having Candida already present in your vaginal microbiome can put you at a higher risk of developing a yeast infection after antibiotic treatment. Some research shows that having BV can increase your risk of developing a yeast infection after taking antibiotics, as well.

Moreover, vaginal application of antibiotics seems to carry the highest risk of yeast infections, especially with clindamycin and metronidazole, which are often prescribed to treat BV. Interestingly, tetracyclines prescribed for long-term acne are also identified as a specific risk factor for Candida overgrowth. Because apparently wanting clear skin and no yeast infections is too much to ask! â

• Whether or not youâve had antibiotic-induced yeast infections in the past
• Having a susceptibility to yeast infections
• Existing vulvar diseases, like lichen sclerosus
• The type of antibiotic
• Taking estrogen therapy or steroids

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Do Probiotic Bacteria Really Repopulate The Gut

You have probably read somewhere that probiotics require a supporting cast of other probiotics so they can attach to the intestinal wall to re-colonize and proliferate, which is true to a point. You may have also read that the probiotic should have FOS to feed these bacteria so they survive.

Well, I have news for you, all conventionally manufactured probiotics for yeast do not have the ability to re-colonize the human intestine. It is lost during the manufacturing process. So when you stop taking them, the benefits are lost after 2 to 3 weeks because they all die. If someone tells you different, they are lying to you! Below is a chart that shows this phenomenon.

With all that said, some might repopulate, we just donât know for sure but this study points out that they usually donât.

I always look at conventional probiotics as a defensive decoy. They do a job while you take them but they also act like a decoy of sorts so the bacteria you do have can repopulate on their own. In some cases, as pointed out in studies of people that have taken broad spectrum antibiotics for two weeks, it can take a year for your bacteria levels to recover.

Now if your missing entire species, you would be surprised how common this is, you should take a probiotic forever or do a fecal matter transplant.

Also, some probiotics donât work for some people but do work for others, it is an individual thing just like doses. You have to find what works the best for you.

How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Treated

If your daughter does have a yeast infection, her doctor can prescribe a medicine to take by mouth or a vaginal cream, tablet, or suppository that will quickly clear up the symptoms in a few days and get rid of the infection within a week. Itâs important that your daughter takes the medicine for the whole time that her doctor prescribes. If she stops taking it too soon, the infection could come back.

Anyone using a vaginal treatment should not have sex until the infection is completely cleared these medicines can weaken condoms and diaphragms.

If your daughter is not feeling better within a few days of finishing treatment, call the doctor.

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Which Antibiotics Cause Yeast Infections

Do all antibiotics cause yeast infections? Its a good questionespecially if there are multiple options available to treat your condition. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are most likely to throw off your bodys natural bacterial balance, such as:

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Probiotics For Yeast Infection

Using probiotics for yeast infection is a very important part of the yeast infection treatment, especially since the majority of the yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of candida yeast in the gut. Probiotics supplements work by populating the intestines with beneficial organisms that can prevent the yeast from overgrowing and help the body to naturally balance the infection.

When choosing the best probiotic supplements for yeast infections, it is important to use the right probiotic strains. Different probiotic strains have different properties and as such, they have different uses, benefits and side effects. Taking the wrong probiotics can cause die off symptoms and side effects such as bloating, gas and other digestive issues. In some cases, it can even make the yeast infection become worse.

This experts guide summarizes our experience working with probiotics for yeast infection and candida issues. We hope this guide will help you get the many probiotics benefits while minimizing the side effects and risks.

In this guide

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Probiotics To Prevent Yeast Infections

Probiotics are a great way to prevent to overgrowth of yeast infections in the gut. This could be an effective preventative protocol and treatment option for those who suffer from Candida.

Probiotics wont work overnight. They need a good 3 weeks to alter the gut bacteria.

A good quality probiotic for yeast infections should contain more than probiotics in the capsules to achieve maximum results:

• Digestive Enzymes to help your body digest and absorb vitamins from foods.
• Prebiotics to feed the Probiotic to thrive in the gut.
• Micro-encapsulations for the substance to make it all the way through your digestive track before the probiotic dying.

If I had to pick just one product for my Yeast Infections, Organic Olivias Probiotic would be it.

Tea Tree Oil For Yeast Infections

I have been applying tea tree oil topically to ease itching for many many years now. The Tea Tree Oil has a cooling effect and I find it great relief from the itching.

This is what works for me. It may not work for every body.

Always dilute the oil as it can be really strong on the skin. I also apply coconut or olive oil to not dry out the skin and cause more itching.

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Can You Get A Yeast Infection From Antibiotics

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus called candida albicans.

This fungus lives in warm, moist parts of the body, such as the mouth and around the genitals.

When there is an overgrowth of this fungus, an infection occurs.

An estimated 75% of people with vaginas will experience a vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime.

Approximately 1.4 million outpatient visits for vaginal candidiasis occur annually in the U.S. So if you are experiencing an itch or burn down there, you shouldnt feel any shame.

In this article, Ill explore the link between yeast infections and antibiotics, the symptoms of a yeast infection, and antibiotics that can cause these infections.

Ill also talk about how you can prevent these infections, and who is at higher risk for contracting one.

Finally, Ill tell you when you should see a doctor or other healthcare provider about your symptoms.

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.

How To Prevent Yeast Infections From Antibiotics

This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support , Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support , Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee in 2006.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 99% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 556,079 times.

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When To See A Doctor Or Healthcare Professional

If you develop a yeast infection while using an OTC antifungal vaginal cream or suppository in conjunction with your antibiotics, contact a healthcare provider.

They will be able to examine you and determine the best medication for you.

They may take a small sample of vaginal discharge to test under a microscope to form their diagnosis.

Restoring The Healthy Bacteria

Antibiotics destroy the beneficial bacteria in your body. This can cause many problems to your body, including vaginal yeast infection. So, to reduce this kind of damage to your body, you can increase the number of healthy bacteria in your body.

Try to add a probiotic supplement to your diet which contains Lactobacillus acidophilus. Also, yogurts having active cultures can increase the number of good bacteria in your body.

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Learn Why Some Women Are More Likely Than Others To Contract Yeast Infections

Yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, are infections caused by a yeast called Candida. Yeast infections are more common than you might think. About 75 percent of women have had a yeast infection, and about 45 percent will have them more than once. About 1.4 million outpatients of candidiasis are seen annually in the United States.

Why do Women Get Yeast Infections?

All healthy vaginas have yeast. Candidiasis is caused by an overgrowth of yeast that causes infection. Any woman at any age can get a yeast infection, although it is rare before puberty and after menopause.

Learn more about yeast infections here, including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. In this blog, were going to dive deeper into why some women are at greater risk.

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How Can I Prevent Vaginal Yeast Infections

You often can prevent vaginal yeast infections by making a few lifestyle changes. These changes can include:

• Not douchingdouching can kill bacteria that actually controls fungus.
• Avoiding the use of feminine deodorants.
• Not using deodorant tampons or pads.
• Changing out of wet clothing, especially bathing suits, as soon as you can.
• Using water-based sexual lubricants.

If you have diabetes, it is important to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. Controlling your diabetes can help prevent vaginal yeast infections.

The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar to other conditions. If you have any questions, a physical exam by your healthcare provider will help.

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Probiotics For Immune System

Considering that a weak immune system is one of the main causes of yeast infections and candida issues , having a healthy immune system can be very helpful in order to prevent candida and yeast infections. The Lactobacillus probiotics immune system connection is well known and has been extensively studied. Various Lactobacillus strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus casei were shown in different studies to enhance gut and systemic immune function . Another study suggested that Lactobacillus plantarum can enhance the antitumor immune response and delay tumour formation .

Follow A Healthy Daily Routine

Indeed, antibiotics have a lot of uses, but they can create many problems, and you can end up with yeast infection. If you get a yeast infection, then the natural bacteria of your body will be imbalanced. To prevent yeast infections, make sure you

• Wear loose clothing

• Change the wet bathing suits and underwear

• Do not use hot tubs or hot baths

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Oral Thrush And Breastfeeding

According to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, it is possible to contract thrush when breastfeeding.

When a person has cracked or damaged nipples, they may be at risk of developing a candida fungus. The fungus can travel from the breast to the baby, causing a yeast infection.

People who breastfeed or infants who are taking antibiotics are more at risk of developing a yeast infection.

Some signs of a yeast infection in the breasts include:

• new pain in both nipples or breasts after breastfeeding
• severe pain that lasts up to an hour after each feed

A person can take medication to treat the infection and continue to breastfeed.

Many factors may increase a persons risk of developing an oral yeast infection.

These

, a person can help prevent oral yeast infections by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day.

It is also important to use an antifungal and antibacterial mouthwash and rinses.

People who use inhaled corticosteroid treatments can reduce the risk of developing an oral yeast infection by rinsing their mouth with water or mouthwash after each use.

People with dentures can remove their dentures overnight and soak them in chlorhexidine solution or white vinegar. This removes the fungus from the dentures.

Stop Using Antibiotics Regularly

Antibiotics cause significant damage to your body by killing good bacteria. So, you should always avoid using antibiotics on regular terms.

If you are relying on antibiotics for healing, then it will do more worse to your body. So, it would be best if you always asked for a better alternative than antibiotics. It will be better if you try something natural for dealing with the bad bacteria in your body.

However, if your doctor has recommended you take the antibiotics, you should finish the entire course. If you do not complete the course and wipe off the harmful bacteria, they can later cause resistance against the antibiotics. This will create more problems later on.

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