Why Do I Keep Getting Yeast Infections After My Period?

It's not uncommon to get yeast infections after your period because the pH balance of your vagina changes over the course of your cycle due to hormonal fluctuations, which can create an environment in which yeast thrives. If you're experiencing what seem to be recurrent yeast infections, it's also possible that rather than developing a new infection each month, the previous infection was never resolved.

Yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of a fungus called Candida. The normal pH balance of the vagina keeps this naturally occurring yeast from multiplying. But if the acidity of the vagina changes for some reason, then yeast can grow—triggering itchiness and a thick, white discharge.

Yeast infections are easily treated with over-the-counter medications or the prescription pill Diflucan (fluconazole) and usually clear up in a week or less, but only if you finish the whole course of treatment. Just like any other infection, stopping treatment too early can allow bacteria to multiply again when conditions become favorable. So it's important to use the whole dose even if you start feeling better after a couple of days.

To help minimize the frequency of yeast infections (or to avoid aggravating an existing one), stick to cotton underwear, and stop using products that are known to cause irritation to the vulva and vagina, like perfumed soap, vaginal douches, bath oils, and colored toilet paper. You're also a lot more likely to get a yeast infection while using certain antibiotics. If that's the case, the infections should subside when you stop taking the medication.