Antibiotics and Yeast Infections: Can You Treat One While on Antibiotics?

The last thing you need after getting rid of one infection is for another one to show up soon after, and yet, taking antibiotics is one of the most frequent — and predictable — triggers for vaginal candidiasis (AKA a yeast infection), a super common type of fungal infection. 

Researchers haven’t figured out why that happens, nor how to prevent it, but the reality is that you may find yourself having to treat a yeast infection while on antibiotics for something else.

Antibiotics are a type of medication prescribed to treat many common bacterial infections, from urinary tract infections (UTIs) to bacterial vaginosis (BV), so why are they putting people with vaginas at risk of yeast infections? And, can you treat a yeast infection while on antibiotics?

Let's look at the available research and break down how antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, which ones carry the highest risk, whether you can treat both infections at once, and how to lower your odds of getting one in the first place.

Key takeaways

• Antibiotics are one of the most common, predictable triggers for yeast infections, with risk estimated at 10-30% per course.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (like amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin) carry the highest risk, especially vaginally applied antibiotics like metronidazole and clindamycin.
• You can treat a yeast infection while still on antibiotics. Antifungals and antibiotics don't typically interfere with each other.
• Prevention isn't guaranteed, but probiotics and prompt antifungal treatment may help. Test with the Evvy Vaginal Microbiome Test to understand your microbiome's baseline.

Can you get a yeast infection from antibiotics?

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

Having Candida already present in your vaginal microbiome can put you at an increased risk (33%) of developing a yeast infection after antibiotic treatment. Some research shows that having bacterial vaginosis can increase your risk of developing a yeast infection after antibiotic treatment, as well. 

Other risk factors that influence the chances of post-antibiotic vaginal yeast infections include:

• Whether or not you’ve had antibiotic-induced yeast infections in the past
• Having a susceptibility to vaginal yeast infections (such as having uncontrolled diabetes or a weakened immune system)
• Existing vulvar diseases, like lichen sclerosus  
• Douching
• The type of antibiotic (broad-spectrum antibiotics carry the highest risk)
• Taking hormonal birth control (such as birth control pills), estrogen therapy, or steroids.

Which antibiotics are most likely to cause yeast infections?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics (that kill a wide range of bacteria) are more likely to increase the risk of developing a yeast infection. Common antibiotics that can cause vaginal yeast infections include:

• Penicillin: amoxicillin
• Macrolides: azithromycin and clarithromycin
• Cephalosporin antibiotics such as cephalexin and cefuroxime
• Fluoroquinolones: levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin.

Moreover, vaginal application of antibiotics seems to carry the highest risk of vaginal yeast infections, especially with clindamycin and metronidazole, which are often prescribed to treat bacterial vaginosis. 

Interestingly, tetracyclines (such as doxycycline) prescribed for long-term acne are also identified as a specific risk factor for yeast overgrowth. Apparently, wanting clear skin and no yeast infections is too much to ask.

Treating a yeast infection while taking antibiotics

If you develop a yeast infection while on antibiotics, you usually don't need to stop the antibiotic course to treat it. Antifungals and antibiotics target completely different organisms (fungi vs bacteria), so they generally don't interfere with each other and can be taken at the same time.

For mild symptoms, over-the-counter antifungal medication like miconazole or clotrimazole creams and suppositories are often enough to clear up a yeast infection. These are widely available and don't need a prescription.

For recurrent yeast infections, more severe symptoms, or if you're already managing a complicated antibiotic course (for example, treating BV alongside a UTI), your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal like fluconazole, which is also sometimes used prophylactically (AKA, preventively) if you have a history of antibiotic-related yeast infections. For recurrent infections or those caused by non-albicans Candida strains that resist standard antifungals, your doctor may suggest boric acid suppositories as an alternative or adjunct treatment.

It's still worth checking in with your doctor before starting any treatment, OTC or prescription, since some medication combinations can interact, and your specific antibiotic or health history may affect what's safe. Call your provider if symptoms don't improve within a few days of starting an antifungal, or if you're unsure whether what you're experiencing is actually a yeast infection.

Above all, don't stop your antibiotic course early because of yeast infection symptoms — finishing the full course matters more for your overall health than avoiding a second, very treatable infection.

How do antibiotics disrupt the vaginal microbiome?

Vaginal infections happen when something upsets the natural balance in your vaginal microbiome, allowing pathogens to colonize and cause dysbiosis. This then leads to symptoms, like itching and unusual discharge.  

The main theory explaining why antibiotics trigger vaginal yeast infections is that they kill healthy bacteria like Lactobacilli as well as the bad ones, leaving your vaginal microbiome more vulnerable to Candida overgrowth, which causes vaginal yeast infections. 

However, no study has proven this theory. A 2019 review on the link between antibiotics and vaginal yeast infections concluded that vulvovaginal candidiasis isn’t more common in women with lower levels of beneficial bacteria in their vaginal microbiome, nor that women with recurrent yeast infections have Lactobacilli-deficient microbiomes.

The review suggests that, rather than affecting Lactobacilli, antibiotics may affect the vaginal microbiome by triggering the release of heat shock proteins and inhibiting the release of cytokines (protective chemicals), thereby allowing Candida to colonize. More research is needed to confirm this theory, though.  

Can you prevent yeast infections caused by antibiotics?

There aren't any official guidelines for preventing vaginal yeast infections caused by antibiotics, but a few strategies may help lower your risk:

• Take a probiotic alongside your antibiotic: Lactobacilli probiotic supplements, taken orally or vaginally, may help replenish your vaginal microbiome after antibiotics. 
• Watch for early symptoms: Start an antifungal as soon as you notice them, rather than waiting it out.
• Ask about prophylactic fluconazole: If you have a history of antibiotic-related yeast infections, your provider may prescribe it alongside your antibiotic course.
• Avoid douching and scented feminine products: They can further disrupt your microbiome on top of antibiotic use.
• Always complete your full antibiotic course: Stopping early because you're worried about a yeast infection can let the original bacterial infection return, which is a bigger problem than a treatable yeast infection.

FAQs about antibiotics and yeast infections

How can I prevent a yeast infection while taking antibiotics?

The benefits of antibiotics far outweigh the risk of side effects. Unfortunately, there aren't any official guidelines for prevention. Your provider might suggest starting an antifungal like fluconazole alongside your antibiotic, and some doctors believe Lactobacilli probiotics — oral or vaginal — may help replenish your microbiome after a course. If you notice symptoms of a yeast infection while on antibiotics, check with your doctor before trying an OTC antifungal, since some medications can interact.

How do you get rid of a yeast infection from antibiotics?

Most vaginal yeast infections clear up with antifungal treatments, available over-the-counter or through your doctor. Keeping up with good hygiene and avoiding irritants like scented soaps or douches can help, too. If symptoms stick around or worsen, talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

How long does yeast infection last after antibiotics?

A yeast infection caused by antibiotics can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly you start treatment. With prompt OTC antifungal medicine, it usually improves within a few days and clears within a week. If symptoms continue for more than a week or worsen, it's best to consult a healthcare provider.

Can antibiotics cause vaginal discharge?

Yes, antibiotics can cause changes in vaginal discharge. While they kill harmful bacteria, they can also disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria, leading to yeast growth. A common symptom is thick, white, "cottage cheese-like" discharge. Some antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis, like clindamycin or metronidazole, are applied vaginally as creams or suppositories. If you're using one of these, what you're noticing might just be the medication itself leaking out, rather than a change in your actual discharge. If you're not sure which one you're dealing with, your provider can help you tell the difference.

Can amoxicillin cause a yeast infection?

Yes. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic, and while it's narrower-spectrum than some other antibiotics, it can still disrupt the vaginal microbiome enough to allow Candida to overgrow, especially with longer courses or repeated use.

How quickly can you get a yeast infection from antibiotics?

It varies, but symptoms can appear within a few days of starting antibiotics, and sometimes not until after you finish the course, since it takes time for the microbiome imbalance to let Candida take hold. Some people notice symptoms toward the end of treatment or up to a week or two afterward.

‍