Can Vitamin B Cause Yeast Infection in Women?

Not every yeast infection requires a visit to the doctor’s office, and not every yeast infection goes away with home treatments. Although some websites claim that vitamin B can both cause and cure vaginal yeast infections, no real evidence supports such claims. Some B vitamins can, however, elevate your blood sugar levels, and women with diabetes prove especially prone to yeast infections.

Need for Vitamin B

If you take vitamin B, often sold in a complex formula -- six or more B vitamins bundled together in a single pill -- and get recurring yeast infections, you could test the claim yourself by discontinuing your vitamin B use. Unless you’ve tested deficient for vitamin B -- blood tests can determine your levels of most of the B vitamins -- or your doctor has prescribed vitamin B for a specific medical purpose, you don’t need to take B vitamins 1.

Yeast Infections and High Blood Sugar

Vitamin B-3, also known as niacin, can cause elevations in your blood sugar levels 1. If you have trouble controlling your blood glucose -- as women with diabetes or prediabetes do -- taking niacin could cause dangerous elevations in your blood sugar levels. High blood glucose levels make it easier for yeast infections to occur. Some B-complex vitamins contain very high levels of niacin -- far more than the recommended dietary allowance 15. Theoretically, at least, taking this much niacin could make any woman’s blood sugar rise enough to create a yeast-friendly environment in her vagina.

Vaginal Yeast Infection Treatment

If you acquire a yeast infection, anti-fungal creams and suppositories available at drugstores may clear up the infection. If the yeast infection doesn’t clear up, see a doctor. Your doctor could prescribe an oral anti-fungal medication or, if your vaginal infection is caused by something other than an overgrowth of yeast, prescribe other appropriate medication. Bacterial infections, parasites and vaginal atrophy -- a condition associated with menopause -- may cause vaginal infections. Symptoms of all types of vaginal infections may include swelling, pain and itching.

Side Effects of Vitamin B

Although taking B vitamins is unlikely to cause a yeast infection, the vitamins can produce many other side effects. Vitamin B-3 may increase your levels of homocysteine, an enzyme associated with heart disease 1.