Does Flagyl (Metronidazole) Cause Yeast Infections?
Does Flagyl (Metronidazole) Cause Yeast Infections?
Flagyl (Metronidazole) is an antibiotic prescribed for bacterial and parasitic infections. It’s also used to treat stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori. Unfortunately, like most antibiotics, it produces side effects. The most common are upset stomach and diarrhea, but it can also cause a yeast infection.
While killing the bacteria that cause infections, Flagyl also kills friendly bacteria in your body, called probiotics. Probiotics benefit your health in many ways, one of the most important is boosting your immunity and balancing your intestinal and vaginal microflora.
Probiotics produce lactic acid, this acid helps keep your vaginal pH too acidic for yeast to start multiplying and cause an infection.
When there are not enough probiotics in your vagina, your vaginal pH changes and Candida (yeast that causes vaginal yeast infection) can spread and cause unpleasant symptoms. For more information, check my article about how antibiotics cause yeast infections.
I found a study from 2005 that focused on what antibiotics are most likely to trigger a yeast infection in mice. They found that the antibiotics most likely to cause a yeast infection are Piperacillin-tazobactam, Ceftriaxone, Metronidazole (Flagyl), and Clindamycin.
Can I Prevent a Yeast Infection While Taking Flagyl?
The most important thing you can do is to reestablish healthy levels of probiotics in your body during and after your Flagyl treatment. You can do it in two ways:
Take Probiotic Supplements
Probiotic supplements designed especially for women will not only improve your digestion while on antibiotics, they’ll also protect your vagina from developing a yeast infection.
Certain strains found in probiotic supplements for women contain probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri, that can reach the vagina after being ingested. Those strains are commonly found in the vagina and studies show that they can effectively treat and prevent vaginal yeast infections.
Use Probiotic Suppositories
Another way to maintain healthy levels of friendly bacteria in your vagina is to insert probiotic suppositories, such as Canesflor, every night before going to bed for the duration of your antibiotic treatment and at least a week after the treatment is finished.
This way you provide live probiotics directly to where you need them to be, without risking that they won’t survive the journey through your digestive tract. The probiotic suppository will dissolve in your vagina and the probiotics will start rebuilding your vaginal flora making it more resistant to infections by harmful bacteria and yeast.
How to Treat a Vaginal Yeast Infection?
Vaginal yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal suppositories. Treatment takes up to one week and in most cases it’s effective. The most common medications for vaginal yeast infection are Monistat and Clotrimazole.
Sometimes yeast infections are difficult to treat and they become chronic. In that case, one of the most potent but at the same time completely natural remedies is boric acid suppositories. Boric acid has been shown to successfully treat persistent and recurrent yeast infections providing lasting results.
One of the best products of this type on the market is BoriCap, they offer same day shipment making it easier for you to start your treatment as soon as possible.
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- Read More: Does Penicillin Cause Yeast Infections?
Conclusion
Antibiotics are one of the main causes of yeast infections in women. Metronidazole (Flagyl) has been scientifically shown to trigger yeast infections.
That’s why, when you’re taking Flagyl remember to supplement your diet with probiotic supplements and probiotic-rich foods.
You can also use probiotic suppositories to further boost your immunity and cut your risk of developing an infection.
If you’re already suffering from a yeast infection triggered by antibiotics check my article about different vaginal yeast infection treatment options, or if you prefer, visit my page about natural home remedies for vaginal yeast infection.
I’d love to hear about your experiences. Do you tend to suffer from yeast infections when you’re on antibiotics? How do you treat it? Please share your comments and questions in the comment section below.