Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentsHome RemediesPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatments
Home Remedies
Prevention
You may get ayeast infectionafter your period because of common hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. These hormonal changes can impact the microbiome of the vagina and create an environment whereCandida, a yeast found in the vagina, can overgrow.
While not everyone will get a yeast infection after their period, certain factors can make some more susceptible than others. Still, roughly 75% of women will experience at least one yeast infection at some point in their lives, while 50% of all women will experience more than one.
This article explains the symptoms of a yeast infection after your period, why it happens, and how it’s diagnosed. It offers some treatment and prevention ideas, including a few home remedies.
Verywell / Sydney Saporito
Causes of Yeast Infections After Your Period
Yeast infections after a period can occur because hormone fluctuations can upset the balance of yeast and bacteria in the vagina. When hormones begin to rise and fall, particularlyestrogen, it could kill the bacteria that live in the vagina, which keep yeast in the vagina in check.
Without bacteria counteracting the growth of yeast, the yeast responsible for most cases of yeast infection—Candida—can overgrow. This leads to a vaginal yeast infection, also known asvaginalcandidiasis.
Progesterone, another hormone that is released during the menstrual cycle, helps increase the effectiveness of cells that destroyCandida.This constant cycling of hormones is what leads to the changes in the levels of good and bad bacteria and yeast within the vagina.
Hormones and Your Menstrual Cycle
Risk Factors
Some people are more likely to develop yeast infections after their period. Contributing factors can include:
Yeast Infection, STD, or Something Else?
Not everyone who has a yeast infection will experience symptoms. The most commonyeast infection symptomsinclude:
If you have light bleeding and other symptoms of a yeast infection, see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Yeast Infection or Something Else?A foulvaginal odorand gray discharge likely indicate that a condition other than a yeast infection is behind your symptoms.
Yeast Infection or Something Else?
A foulvaginal odorand gray discharge likely indicate that a condition other than a yeast infection is behind your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing. If they suspect that your symptoms are related to a yeast infection, they will then perform apelvic exam.
This gives them an opportunity to look inside the vagina and cervix to check for symptoms like swelling or redness. They may also take a sample of cells or discharge and send it to a lab to have it tested to confirm the diagnosis.
What Can Happen If You Leave Your Yeast Infection Untreated?
Treatment varies depending on which type of yeast is causing your infection. The most common type of yeast,Candida albicans, is the culprit behind 85% to 90% of all yeast infections. The first-line treatment for people who have a first-time or non-recurrent infection is antifungal medications.
They can be administered in different ways:
There are also a few over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat a yeast infection, including Monistat (miconazole), Vagistat (tioconazole), and Canesten (clotrimazole).
For those with recurrent yeast infections—four or more in one year—treatment options may be different and may include:
After this initial treatment, a maintenance treatment plan will be in place for at least six months. It may include oral or vaginal medications.
Yeast infections rarely go away on their own, and in some cases can prove quite serious if not treated.Be sure to see a healthcare provider about your symptoms.
If you’re using antifungal suppositories, you should not use diaphragms and condoms for birth control. The chemicals in the treatments can weaken the latex of condoms and lower the efficacy of these birth control methods. Use alternative birth control during this time if needed.
Home Remedies for Yeast Infection
Home remedies may help you to avoid a yeast infection after your period. Eating plain yogurt, for example, can introduce probiotics into your body and limit the risk of a new yeast infection.
Some herbal remedies, such astea tree oilandoil of oregano, have proven antifungal properties. In one study, oil of oregano proved even more effective than prescription medication.Other home remedies include foods like garlic, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.
There’s less evidence for vitamin and supplement use when treating or preventing a vaginal yeast infection, thoughvitamin Chas shown promise in curbingCandidainfection.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Although yeast infections are easily treated, they can still be a hassle to deal with and an unpleasant experience.
The good news is that there are some lifestyle changes you can make to lower your chances of getting a yeast infection after your period.
What Causes a Yeast Infection Before Your Period?
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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