[teenagewoman]

A week ago today I was put on Amox-clav, an antibiotic, because I was sick with tonsillitis. About three days ago I started itching 'down there', and yesterday morning I notices a nasty white discharge there as well. My question is this--can an antibiotic cause me to get infections in my vagina? This happened to me about two and a half months ago when I was put on antibiotics for strep throat and bronchitis, so it does not seem like just a coincidence to me.

If any of you ladies has information on this, please let me know so I don't think it's something more serious. It's no fun to be sick and then be itchy in the worst possible place

[ItsASecret]

Antibiotics are not concerned with killing exact types of bacteria, they kill a broad range that fall into certain categories. Our bodies contain 'good' bacteria which fall into the broad category that some antibiotics kill so your normal 'good' bacteria will be wiped out for a short period of time leaving an opportunity for 'bad' bacteria to make you their new home and hence infections. The antibiotics must not be stopped if you have a legitimate reason for taking them like strep throat or tonsillitis and so forth, those bacteria must go you cannot stop the prescription you must finish the prescription otherwise the leftover non-killed strep throat bacteria will mutate and become resistant to any other course of antibiotics. That said your 'good' bacteria count will be down during the time you take the antibiotics for the legitimate infection, the thing is that people overlook is that normal flora (another term for good bacteria) regenerates in less time than it takes to kill bad bacteria. The good bacteria are never ever completely wiped out, they are merely minimized in numbers. Some people are recolonized by good bacteria so quickly that zero symptoms are felt of say a yeast infection. Other people may not have 'good' bacteria come back as fast (it is still very fast though) and they may become susceptible to a yeast infection.

[WildChild]

Taking acidophilus and/or bifidus can help reestablish your intestinal flora. Eating active yogurt can help too.

[viola]

Yes, you are right. Antibiotics can create yeast infections.

[chaya]

Being diabetic, I've had more than my share of yeast infections. Diabetics sometimes have small amounts of sugar in their urine and yeast thrives on sugar.

Antibiotics always make me more prone to yeast infections for the reasons described above. I am on antibiotics right now and I am also taking a probiotic supplement. It not only reduces the possibility of a yeast infection but helps with the gas, bloating and loose stools that antibiotics always give me. I also have been taking extra care in washing the area down below as a precaution.

If you think you have a yeast infection, you should see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

[darcdante]

Yep! I just found this out too. My fiance took some antibiotics and told me to get her some yogurt. I forgot to get it, and she now has a yeast infection. Her mom recommended yogurt since its natural bacteria can apparently help replenish the good bacteria that resides in the vagina, preventing a yeast infection.