Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
When to See a Provider
Getting ayeast infectionbefore yourperiodis common. The changes in hormones that bring on menstruation can also causeCandida,thefungus that causes yeast infections, to overgrow.
This article will go over why you might get a yeast infection before your period and what to do when it happens.
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Your period does not exactly cause yeast infections, but changes that are part of your menstrual cycle can make you more likely to get a yeast infection around the time that you’re menstruating.
You might get a yeast infection right before your period or get recurring infections at the same time of your cycle each month (cyclicvulvovaginitis).
How Common Are Yeast Infections Before a Period?It’s not known exactly how many people get yeast infections (candidiasis) before their period, but it seems to be fairly common.Yeast infections are most common during theluteal phaseof the menstrual cycle, the phase before menstruation, which usually lasts about two weeks.
How Common Are Yeast Infections Before a Period?
It’s not known exactly how many people get yeast infections (candidiasis) before their period, but it seems to be fairly common.Yeast infections are most common during theluteal phaseof the menstrual cycle, the phase before menstruation, which usually lasts about two weeks.
It’s not known exactly how many people get yeast infections (candidiasis) before their period, but it seems to be fairly common.
Yeast infections are most common during theluteal phaseof the menstrual cycle, the phase before menstruation, which usually lasts about two weeks.
As your body goes through the menstrual cycle, your hormones naturally go up and down.
Estrogenis typically highest during ovulation and then drops slowly before your period begins. Progesterone typically peaks as you get closer to your period. Both progesterone and estrogen are the lowest during your period.
These fluctuations change the hormonal balance in your body, which can lead to an overgrowth ofCandida, the fungus that causes yeast infections.
Estrogen, in particular, has been shown to affect the overgrowth of the strainCandida albicans.
There are over 200 different types ofCandida,but just five are the cause of about 90% of yeast infections, including:
Although hormones play a role, there are several other known risk factors for yeast infections, including:
The Candida DietTheCandidadietmight be effective for some people withcandidiasis, but it is very restrictive. You should talk to your healthcare provider before trying any diet to manage candida.
The Candida Diet
TheCandidadietmight be effective for some people withcandidiasis, but it is very restrictive. You should talk to your healthcare provider before trying any diet to manage candida.
Yeast infection symptomsare not always the same for every person and often overlap with other common conditions.
The beginning of a yeast infection often feels like intense itchiness inside and around the vagina.
Common symptoms of yeast infections include:
In some cases, a yeast infection may cause light bleeding due to the irritation and inflammation of the genital area.
While a yeast infection is unlikely to delay your period, some of the anti-fungal drugs that are given vaginally to treat them (likeclotrimazole) can cause a late period. These medications can also cause itching, burning, and inflammation of the vagina and vulva.
Do I Have a Yeast Infection or STI?
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have symptoms similar to a yeast infection, like burning and itching.
How Vaginal Yeast Infection Is Treated
Yeast infections are common and usually easy for healthcare providers to diagnose.
They will ask you about your symptoms and may want to do an exam to look in and around your vagina. They will also ask if you’ve ever had a yeast infection before as well as whether you have had any STIs.
Your provider can take a swab from your vagina to test it for yeast. They might also want to do other tests to rule out another cause, like an STI. This could include different swab tests, urine tests, or blood tests.
What If It’s Not a Yeast Infection?
To determine if there are any visible signs of infection, your healthcare provider will likely perform apelvic exam. This allows them to examine the cervix as well as the vaginal walls. Then, your healthcare provider may collect cell samples of the discharge from your vagina or cervix to be examined under a microscope or sent for further testing.
How Yeast Infections Are Diagnosed
Getting your period won’t “flush out” a yeast infection. A mild yeast infection might clear up on its own, but often, you’ll need to treat the fungus to get the infection to go away.
Antifungal medications treat yeast infections. You may need a prescription, but many can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy. Your provider will let you know which treatment to try first.
For mild yeast infections, try miconazole, clotrimazole, or terconazole. These are OTC products available in cream, ointment, tablet, or suppository.
These products are “short-course therapy” that you use for one to seven days. You can use a product like Monistat if you’re on your period.
Another option for a mild yeast infection is a single-dose oral medication calledfluconazole.People with moderate yeast infections may need to take two doses of this medication. However, this treatment is not recommended for people who are pregnant.
What to Do If Yeast Infections Keep Coming Back?
If you get frequent yeast infections or you always seem to get one right before your period, you will need to work with your provider to figure out why you are prone to them. You will also need to find a treatment that will clear up the fungus effectively.
Yeast infections can become resistant to the antifungal medications typically used to treat them.
If this happens to you, you might need to do azole-resistant therapy. During this treatment, you may have to takeboric acidthrough a vaginal suppository.It is often the last course of treatment and is only used in rare cases.
Antifungal Suppositories and Birth ControlIf you use antifungal suppositories to treat a yeast infection, it’s important to know that you cannot rely on diaphragms or a condom for birth control during treatment. The ingredients in the medication can weaken the latex in condoms and diaphragms, and they may not work to prevent pregnancy.
Antifungal Suppositories and Birth Control
If you use antifungal suppositories to treat a yeast infection, it’s important to know that you cannot rely on diaphragms or a condom for birth control during treatment. The ingredients in the medication can weaken the latex in condoms and diaphragms, and they may not work to prevent pregnancy.
Yeast Infection After Period: Causes and Treatments
Some things you can do to prevent a yeast infection include:
Some research has looked at eating probiotic yogurt to help prevent yeast infections, but results have been inconsistent.
If you have mild symptoms of a yeast infection but it is not clearing up after a few weeks of treatment or if your symptoms are getting worse, call your provider.
If you’re unsure of the symptoms or have never had a yeast infection before, you should see your healthcare provider. Many symptoms of a yeast infection overlap with symptoms of other conditions.
It’s also important to call your provider if you’re pregnant and have symptoms of a yeast infection.
Often, mild yeast infections will clear up within a few days, but more severe cases can take up to two weeks to get better.
Summary
Yeast infections at any time of the month can be uncomfortable, but they can be especially bothersome if they happen right before your period. That said, most yeast infections are easily treated.
Call your provider if you think you have a yeast infection, especially if you always seem to get one right before your period.
Yeast Infections
13 Sources
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