Does sugar cause yeast infections?

A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is common. It can cause intense itching, irritation, and vaginal discharge. Symptoms can be very uncomfortable and affect your day-to-day life.

Several factors may cause a yeast infection to develop. These include:

• having high blood sugar levels
• taking antibiotics
• hormonal changes
• having an impaired immune system

If you often experience yeast infections, learning about the possible causes may help prevent a reoccurrence.

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How can sugar cause yeast infections?

High blood sugar levels can lead to yeast infections, but this is mostly true for people with diabetes.

When you have high blood sugar, your body tries to get rid of the excess in your urine. When that sugar-filled urine passes through you, it creates an environment where yeast can feed and multiply. This can result in an imbalance between the bacteria and yeast in your vagina, which can lead to a yeast infection.

What’s more, diabetes can cause a rise in blood sugar levels, which can create the perfect environment for yeast to grow. Research from 2021 found that having high blood sugar can increase your risk of developing a yeast infection.

If you have diabetes, you’ll know the importance of managing your blood sugar levels, particularly if you want to keep yeast infections at bay.

If you have diabetes and regularly experience yeast infections, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can recommend treatment options that can help.

Other causes of yeast infections

Excess sugar in the diet is a very uncommon cause of yeast infections. There are other possible reasons you may develop a yeast infection.

Antibiotics

A common cause of yeast infections is antibiotic use. This is because antibiotics can kill the “good” or “healthy” bacteria in the vagina, leading to an overgrowth of yeast.

Hormonal changes

Hormones, such as estrogen, increase and fluctuate during your menstrual cycle. According to some 2022 research, high estrogen may increase the risk of vaginal yeast infections.

Times of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, may lead to yeast infections. When you have more estrogen than usual, this may increase yeast production. Taking oral birth control or hormone replacement therapy can also cause similar vaginal yeast issues.

Impaired immune system

An impaired or weakened immune system may increase your risk of developing a yeast infection because when your defenses are down, you’re less able to naturally fight off an overgrowth of yeast.

If you’re experiencing three or four yeast infections a year and your blood sugar is within a healthy range, a doctor may check for an immune deficiency.

This is also why medications that compromise your immune system, such as steroids and chemotherapy, can make you more prone to yeast infections.

Treatment options for yeast infections

Mild yeast infections may clear up on their own, but medical treatment is the quickest way to get rid of them. Treatment usually lasts 1 to 6 days.

If you’re experiencing a yeast infection, several medication options can help alleviate your symptoms, including:

• miconazole (Monistat)
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
• terconazole (Terazol)

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Online care for yeast infections

While yeast infections may go away on their own, seeking treatment can speed up the process and prevent complications.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is common. Several factors may cause it to develop, including high blood sugar levels, antibiotic use, hormonal changes, or an impaired immune system.

A yeast infection typically resolves with treatment but may last longer if the infection is more severe.

If you’re experiencing a yeast infection, a doctor may recommend medications such as miconazole (Monistat) and fluconazole (Diflucan) to help alleviate symptoms. 

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.