Topic Overview

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.