Antibiotics Gave Me a Yeast Infection. Now What?
If you are taking antibiotics, or have just finished a course, and now have itching, soreness or an unusual discharge, a yeast infection may be the reason. It is a known side effect of antibiotics, and it is treatable. The CDC lists current or recent antibiotic use as a risk factor for a vaginal yeast infection.[1] Antibiotics treat the bacterial infection they were prescribed for, but they can also make it harder for your body to keep yeast in check.
If you have the usual signs of a yeast infection, a clinician can prescribe an antifungal such as fluconazole (Diflucan). With Starfish.com, you answer a short questionnaire, a licensed clinician reviews it, and if treatment is right for you the prescription goes to the pharmacy you choose, usually within 1 to 2 hours.
If you are still taking the antibiotic, do not stop it early. The CDC advises using medicines exactly as directed and telling your healthcare provider if you start to develop symptoms.[2]
Which Situation Are You In?
| If this sounds like you | What to do |
|---|---|
| Itching, soreness and a white, lumpy discharge after or during a course of antibiotics | Likely a yeast infection. A clinician can review your symptoms and prescribe an antifungal |
| Still taking the antibiotic | Keep taking it as prescribed, and tell the clinician which antibiotic it is |
| A thin gray discharge with a strong fishy odor | May be bacterial vaginosis (BV) instead, which needs a different treatment |
| Symptoms came back within 2 months of treating a yeast infection | See a clinician in person for an exam and a test |
| You are pregnant | Contact your obstetrician |
Why Antibiotics Can Lead to a Yeast Infection
Yeast called *Candida* normally lives in the body without causing problems. The CDC notes that antibiotics are often necessary to treat infections, but they can also increase the risk of candidiasis.[2] Other things that raise the risk include pregnancy, hormonal birth control, diabetes and a weakened immune system.[1]
That does not mean the antibiotic was the wrong choice. If you needed it for a UTI or another bacterial infection, it was doing its job.
Treat Your Yeast Infection Without an Appointment
Answer a short questionnaire about your symptoms. A licensed clinician reviews it and, if it is appropriate, sends a prescription to the pharmacy you choose.
Is It Yeast or Something Else?
A yeast infection causes vaginal itching, soreness and discharge, according to the CDC.[3]
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) causes a thin white or gray discharge, and often a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex.[4] It is treated with antibiotics rather than an antifungal, so it matters which one you have. If your symptoms sound more like BV, see BV treatment.
If you are not sure, say so in the questionnaire. The clinician reviews your symptoms and decides which treatment fits, or whether you need to be seen in person.
Your Treatment Options
Starfish.com clinicians can prescribe two antifungals for a yeast infection:
- Fluconazole (Diflucan), a tablet you swallow.
- Terconazole, a cream applied inside the vagina for a set number of days.
You can ask for the one you prefer, or let the clinician decide. Whether a prescription is right for you is the clinician’s call, based on your answers.
Tell the clinician which antibiotic you are taking. Fluconazole’s FDA label lists some medicines that must not be taken with it, including the antibiotic erythromycin.[5]
The Starfish.com fee covers the clinician’s review and the prescription. You pay for the medication at the pharmacy, the same way you would with a prescription from your own doctor.
When to See a Clinician in Person
Your symptoms came back soon after treatment. The CDC advises that anyone whose symptoms persist after an over-the-counter product, or return within 2 months of treatment, should be examined and tested.[6]
You get yeast infections often. The CDC calls three or more in a year recurrent yeast infection,[6] which needs a clinician who can examine you.
You are pregnant. The CDC says oral fluconazole should not be used in pregnancy.[6] Starfish.com does not treat anyone who is pregnant, so contact your obstetrician.
FAQ
Should I stop my antibiotics if I get a yeast infection?
No, not on your own. Keep taking the antibiotic as prescribed and tell your healthcare provider about the new symptoms. The CDC advises using medicines exactly as directed.[2]
Can I take fluconazole while I’m on antibiotics?
It depends on the antibiotic. Fluconazole’s FDA label lists some medicines that must not be combined with it, including erythromycin.[5] Tell the clinician exactly what you are taking.
Will I get a yeast infection every time I take antibiotics?
Not necessarily. Antibiotics raise the risk,[1] but they do not always lead to one. If it happens to you often, mention it the next time you are prescribed an antibiotic.
Get Relief Today
A licensed clinician reviews your answers and sends a prescription to your pharmacy, usually within 1 to 2 hours.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Risk Factors for Candidiasis.” https://www.cdc.gov/candidiasis/risk-factors/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Preventing Candidiasis.” https://www.cdc.gov/candidiasis/prevention/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Candidiasis Basics.” https://www.cdc.gov/candidiasis/about/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).” https://www.cdc.gov/bacterial-vaginosis/about/index.html
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. “Diflucan (fluconazole) tablet and powder for suspension.” Human prescription drug label. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f694c617-3383-416c-91b6-b94fda371204
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.” Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/candidiasis.htm
