Why is a Woman More Susceptible to Vaginal Yeast Infections

Question

Why is a woman more susceptible to vaginal yeast infections when taking antibiotics?
A) The antibiotic serves as nutrition for the infectious yeast.
B) All vaginal bacteria are killed by the antibiotic and can't competitively exclude the yeast.
C) Her immune system is already not functioning well due to previous infections.
D) Antibiotics are lethal to most types of yeast.

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics not only kill harmful bacteria, but also the beneficial bacteria that naturally reside in the vagina. These good bacteria help to maintain a healthy balance in the vaginal ecosystem by producing acid and suppressing the growth of yeast. Without these helpful bacteria, yeast can overgrow and lead to a vaginal yeast infection.