Medicines That May Cause Vaginal Symptoms

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause vaginal symptoms. A few examples are:

• Antibiotics.
• Birth control pills.
• Hormone therapy.
• Chemotherapy for cancer.
• Vaginal sprays, douches, and spermicides.

Vaginal symptoms may clear up on their own once you stop taking a medicine. A yeast infection can be treated with a vaginal cream, tablet, or suppository.

If you think your vaginal symptoms may be caused by a medicine:

• Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to determine whether you should stop taking it or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary.
• If you are taking a nonprescription medicine, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel you need to continue taking the medicine.

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised	September 6, 2011