What Increases the Risk
of Yeast Infection —
and How to Fix it
Using Fluconazole

Photo by Deon Black

Although women aren’t the only people who get yeast infections, about 3 out of every 4 women will get one at some point during their lives. Vaginal candidiasis, more commonly known as a vaginal yeast infection, causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina and the surrounding tissues at the vaginal opening. Many women experience at least two episodes in their lives and many may experience recurring infections. It’s important to be aware of what can cause women to be more at risk for yeast infections to help prevent them from happening. While there are many treatments available that can treat those uncomfortable yeast infection symptoms (pain when you urinate, red and swollen vaginal tissue, itching and soreness around vagina, and abnormal discharge, to name a few), fluconazole for yeast infections is one of the most effective treatments for the infection.

Antibiotic use

Broad-spectrum antibiotics, which kill a range of bacteria, also kill healthy bacteria in your vagina, leading to the overgrowth of yeast. Have you ever taken a round of antibiotics for strep throat or a UTI only to end up with a yeast infection? That’s why. Using an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream or suppository can help prevent yeast infections caused by antibiotics. In fact, if you know you are prone to yeast infections, you can ask your medical provider to prescribe a dose of antifungals with your antibiotic prescription. Antifungal agents can help prevent the overgrowth of yeast and give your healthy vaginal bacteria a chance to repopulate. Fluconazole is a very common antifungal used to treat yeast infections and many times a single tablet is all you need to keep yeast at bay!

Increased estrogen levels

Yeast infections are more common in women with higher estrogen levels. This means that pregnant women or women taking high-dose estrogen birth control pills or estrogen hormone therapy may have a higher chance of experiencing a yeast infection. Remember to tell your medical provider if you experience chronic yeast infections or tend to get a yeast infection when going on any birth control pills or estrogen hormone therapy. They may prescribe an oral antifungal pill like fluconazole for yeast infections for you to take during your course of antibiotics.

Uncontrolled diabetes

Women with poorly controlled blood sugar are at greater risk of yeast infections than women with well-controlled blood sugar. Yeast feeds off sugar, and if your diabetes isn’t well-controlled, your blood sugar can reach very high levels. This increase in sugar can cause yeast to overgrow, causing your body to develop a yeast infection in response. Maintaining your blood sugar levels may help reduce your risk of infection. If you have diabetes, you should undergo periodic screening for vaginal yeast infections. Using fluconazole for yeast infections can help manage and control this.

Use fluconazole for yeast infections

Medications can treat candida overgrowth, pain when you pee, red, swollen vaginal tissue, itching and soreness around vagina, and white clumpy discharge. Fluconazole (Diflucan) is the most trusted vaginal yeast infection treatment. You can use fluconazole for yeast infections, an FDA-approved medicine that comes in the form of an oral tablet or topical cream. Antifungal medication for yeast infection starts working immediately, and you often just need one pill to cure your infection completely. Now you can order yeast infection meds from home when you need them.