How to avoid a yeast infection while on antibiotics?

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to some research, between 10% and 30% of women who take antibiotics develop a vaginal yeast infection. Learning how to avoid a yeast infection while on antibiotics involves understanding why the medication causes this issue and taking proactive steps to maintain your body's natural balance.

Quick Summary

Antibiotics can disrupt the body's microbiome, leading to a yeast infection. Probiotics, diet, and hygiene can help restore balance. For those with recurring infections, preventive medication may be necessary.

Key Points

Probiotics are Key: Take a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus or Saccharomyces boulardii to replenish beneficial bacteria lost to antibiotics.
Timing Matters: Separate probiotic and antibiotic doses by at least two hours to ensure probiotic effectiveness.
Adjust Your Diet: Minimize sugar and refined carbohydrate intake, as yeast feeds on sugar, and increase fermented foods with live cultures like yogurt and kefir.
Wear Breathable Clothing: Choose cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes to prevent moisture buildup that encourages yeast growth.
Practice Good Hygiene: Avoid harsh, scented feminine products and change out of wet swimwear or gym clothes promptly.
Consult Your Doctor: If you are prone to yeast infections, talk to your doctor about preventative antifungal medication, such as fluconazole.
Finish the Antibiotics: Always complete the full course of antibiotics, even if a yeast infection occurs, and treat the yeast infection separately.

Understanding the Link Between Antibiotics and Yeast Infections

Antibiotics are powerful medications designed to fight harmful bacterial infections. However, in the process, they can also kill the beneficial bacteria that help keep your body's ecosystem in check. In areas like the vagina, healthy bacteria such as Lactobacillus are crucial for maintaining an acidic pH that keeps the naturally-occurring Candida fungus from overgrowing. When antibiotics eliminate these protective bacteria, the balance is disrupted, allowing Candida to multiply and cause a yeast infection.

While anyone can develop a yeast infection from antibiotics, some people are at higher risk. Factors like a weakened immune system, diabetes, and a history of previous antibiotic-induced yeast infections can increase your likelihood. The type of antibiotic, particularly broad-spectrum ones that target a wide range of bacteria, can also increase the risk. The good news is that with a proactive approach, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing this uncomfortable side effect.

Proactive Strategies to Prevent Yeast Infections

There are several effective strategies you can employ to minimize your risk of getting a yeast infection while on antibiotics. Combining these approaches often yields the best results.

Restore Balance with Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help replenish the beneficial bacteria killed by antibiotics. They are considered a primary defense against an antibiotic-induced yeast infection.

Oral Probiotics: Many healthcare providers recommend taking a high-quality oral probiotic supplement containing strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii. S. boulardii is a beneficial yeast that can compete with Candida, inhibiting its growth. It's best to start taking probiotics when you begin your antibiotic course and continue for at least two weeks after to help restore your microbiome. To avoid killing the probiotic bacteria, take them at least two hours apart from your antibiotic dose.
Probiotic-Rich Foods: Incorporating fermented foods into your diet is a natural way to boost your probiotic intake. Look for products that contain “live active cultures”.
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Miso soup

Modify Your Diet

Diet can play a supportive role in preventing yeast overgrowth. Since Candida feeds on sugar, reducing your intake can help.

Limit Sugars and Refined Carbs: While on antibiotics, it's wise to cut back on simple sugars found in candy, baked goods, and sugary drinks, as well as refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta.
Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods: Prioritize a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This not only supports your overall health but also helps to minimize the conditions yeast thrives in.

Prioritize Proper Hygiene and Clothing

Creating an environment that discourages yeast growth is another crucial step. Yeast thrives in warm, moist conditions, so keeping dry and clean is key.

Choose Breathable Fabrics: Opt for loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear, which allow air circulation and help prevent moisture buildup.
Change Out of Wet Clothing Quickly: Don't linger in wet swimwear or sweaty workout clothes. Change into dry clothes as soon as possible after exercising or swimming.
Avoid Irritating Products: Stay away from douches, feminine sprays, and scented pads or tampons, as these can disrupt the natural vaginal pH and increase the risk of infection.

Consult Your Doctor About Preventative Antifungals

If you have a history of developing yeast infections whenever you take antibiotics, your doctor may suggest a preventative measure.

Prophylactic Treatment: For high-risk individuals, a healthcare provider might prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole, to be taken alongside the antibiotic course. This can proactively prevent yeast from overgrowing.

Comparing Prevention Methods: A Guide

To help you decide on the best approach, here is a comparison of common preventative strategies:


Prevention Method	Efficacy	Convenience	Considerations
Oral Probiotics	Good. Helps restore beneficial bacteria balance.	Easy to incorporate as a daily supplement.	Need to take at least 2 hours apart from antibiotics. Quality varies between brands.
Dietary Changes	Supportive. Reduces the food source for yeast.	Requires consistent effort to monitor food intake.	Results are not instant and are more for prevention than treatment.
Hygiene Practices	Supportive. Creates an unfavorable environment for yeast.	Very convenient, simple changes to daily habits.	Requires consistency to be effective.
Preventative Antifungal	Excellent. Directly combats yeast overgrowth.	Most convenient, often a single or simple dosing schedule.	Requires a doctor's prescription. Should only be used if history of recurrent infections warrants it.

What to Do If an Infection Still Occurs

Even with the best preventative measures, a yeast infection can still develop. If you notice symptoms like itching, burning, unusual discharge, or soreness, don't panic.

Contact Your Healthcare Provider: Before trying any over-the-counter treatments, speak with your doctor. They can confirm the diagnosis and ensure no interactions will occur with your antibiotic.
Complete Your Antibiotic Course: It is crucial to finish your full course of antibiotics as prescribed to treat the original bacterial infection. Do not stop taking it just because you have a yeast infection.
Use OTC Antifungals: Over-the-counter options like creams, ointments, or suppositories containing miconazole or clotrimazole can effectively treat mild to moderate yeast infections.
Consider Prescription Antifungals: For more severe or persistent infections, a doctor might prescribe a more potent treatment, such as a single oral dose of fluconazole.

Conclusion

Antibiotics are a vital tool for fighting bacterial infections, but they don't have to come with the side effect of a yeast infection. By understanding the disruption they cause to your body's microbiome, you can take control with a multi-pronged approach. Implementing preventative strategies like taking probiotics, adjusting your diet to reduce sugar, and practicing good hygiene can significantly lower your risk. For those with a history of recurrent infections, a discussion with your doctor about prophylactic antifungal medication can provide an extra layer of protection. By being proactive, you can navigate your antibiotic treatment with more comfort and peace of mind.

For more information on vaginal health and infections, visit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Frequently Asked Questions

Antibiotics kill the 'good' bacteria, like Lactobacillus, that normally keep the growth of Candida yeast in check. This disruption allows the yeast to overgrow and cause an infection.

Yes, eating yogurt with live active cultures is a great way to add beneficial bacteria to your system. Look for labels that confirm 'live active cultures' to ensure you are getting the probiotic benefits.

Take your probiotic supplement at least two hours before or after your antibiotic dose. This helps prevent the antibiotic from killing the beneficial probiotic bacteria. It's often recommended to continue taking probiotics for a couple of weeks after finishing the antibiotics.

Yes, strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii are often recommended for preventing Candida overgrowth. A supplement containing these may be most effective.

Common symptoms include vaginal itching, burning, soreness, swelling, and a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge.

No, you should never stop taking your prescribed antibiotics early. Completing the full course is essential to effectively treat the original bacterial infection. The yeast infection can be treated separately.

Natural methods include taking probiotics, eating fermented foods like yogurt and kefir, reducing sugar intake, wearing breathable cotton underwear, and avoiding irritating scented products.

Yes, if you have a history of getting yeast infections while on antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe a preventative oral antifungal medication like fluconazole to take concurrently with your antibiotic course.