What is the Connection Between Antibiotics and Yeast Infection?

There is a proven connection between antibiotics and yeast infection — taking this type of medication can initiate this condition. For some women this may occur every time such medication is taken and others may be able to take antibiotics and never develop an infection. For those who do get infections, treatment is generally a matter of purchasing an over-the-counter medication. If the antibiotics are taken long term, however, the yeast infections may become resistant to treatment and result in chronic infection.

Antibiotics are a range of medications that are taken to kill bacteria that tend to make people sick. There are, however, bacteria in the body that are beneficial. Antibiotics do not generally have the ability to pick and choose which bacteria it attacks. This means as it kills the bad bacteria, good bacteria also tends to be destroyed.

Yeast is a fungus that is always present in the vagina, but it does not usually cause problems. Issues arise when there are excessive amounts of this fungus. One reason that overgrowth becomes possible is because antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria that normally helps to regulate yeast. Without this bacteria, the yeast begins to rapidly reproduce.

Women's bodies respond differently with regards to antibiotics and yeast infection. Some women may develop a problem every time they consume this type of medication. Others may take antibiotics throughout their lives and never have this type of treatment cause an infection. Then, there are those who will take antibiotics on some occasions and get a yeast infection but on other occasions no infection occurs.

This can be explained to a degree because there are other factors that increase a woman's chances of getting a yeast infection. This includes having diabetes or having abnormally high pH levels. When other risk factors exist, the chances of creating a connection between antibiotics and yeast infection increase.

There is no evidence that the connection between antibiotics and yeast infection can be broken when it is bound to happen. There is no proven way to prevent this type of fungal overgrowth if the medication kills the bacteria that generally keeps it in check. This means that treatment is only possible once the problem has developed, even if it can be anticipated.

The resulting infection is normally characterized by symptoms such as vaginal itching, vaginal burning during intercourse, and a thick discharge. This problem tends to be easily solved with over-the-counter medications. If antibiotics are repeatedly taken or taken for extended periods, yeast infections may become resistant to the most common remedies. Defeating the infection may then involve taking prescription drugs.