Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDo Probiotics Work?How to Use ProbioticsWhen to Expect ResultsThings to KnowWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Do Probiotics Work?
How to Use Probiotics
When to Expect Results
Things to Know
When to See a Doctor
How Common Are Yeast Infections?Approximately 75% of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at least one time in their lives.
How Common Are Yeast Infections?
Approximately 75% of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at least one time in their lives.
Research has shown thatprobioticsmay support the natural balance of your microbiome and help with yeast infections. Probiotics contain bacteria that can help restore the balance of the vaginal microbiome. However, more research is needed to support this benefit.
Probiotics are found in fermented dairy products and foods, such as yogurt and kimchi. They also come in the form of supplements and suppositories.
Elena Noviello / Getty Images
The probiotic strainsLacticaseibacillus rhamnosus(LGR-1) andLactobacillus reuteri(LRC-14) have been shown to inhibit the growth ofCandida glabrata, a strain ofCandidathat can cause yeast infections.
However, probiotics have not been shown to be able to alleviate yeast infection symptoms or prevent recurrent yeast infections on their own.
The 12-month cure rate for women with yeast infections was 89% when using combination fluconazole-probiotic treatments and 70% when fluconazole was used alone.
This remains an active, ongoing area of research. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of probiotics in treating yeast infections.
The most studied probiotic strains today are LGR-1 and LRC-14.
7 Home Remedies for Yeast Infections
There are different types of probiotics and different methods for using them.
Oral Probiotics
Vaginal Suppositories
Vaginal suppositories are medications that are inserted directly into the vagina using a special applicator. This allows the medication to be absorbed quickly.
The vaginal suppository EcoVag is one example of a probiotic vaginal suppository. It was used in a clinical trial to assess the efficacy of probiotic-fluconazole vs. fluconazole-only treatments for recurrent yeast infections.
Yogurt
Vaginal suppositories may work faster than oral probiotics. Oral probiotics may be helpful in preventing recurrent yeast infections, while vaginal suppositories are intended for more serious or acute cases.
You will see the number of probiotics in a particular supplement listed as “colony-forming units,” or CFUs. This is the number of probiotic strains in the supplement at the time it was produced.
Your time-to-results depends on multiple factors, including your specific clinical history, the dose and quality of the probiotic strains in your supplement, and other factors. It is best to consult a healthcare professional when selecting the appropriate strain for your yeast infection.
Probiotics are generally safe, and bad reactions are extremely rare. However, some studies indicate that more research is needed to ensure total safety.
If you are pregnant or haveuncontrolled diabetes, you should also see your doctor before using any form of probiotics regimen.
Is Lactobacillus Gasseri a Good Probiotic to Take?
Some symptoms indicate that you should no longer rely on probiotics to prevent or treat yeast infections. For more mild yeast infections, this includes symptoms that last for more than 10 days, a worsening of symptoms, a high fever, or recurring infections.
What Are the Benefits of the Probiotic Lactobacillus Gasseri?
A Word From Verywell
Eating a balanced diet; avoiding scented products, cleansers, and douches to the vagina; wearing breathable cotton underwear; and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle should normally help support a healthy vaginal microbiota. Sometimes, though, the microbiome can become unbalanced, and you may want to consider adopting a probiotic to help you recover from a yeast infection.
However, probiotics should not be used to treat serious cases of infection. Speak with your healthcare provider if your symptoms appear atypical or you have other health concerns, such as a sexually transmitted disease.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
d’Enfert C, Kaune AK, Alaban LR, et al.The impact of the Fungus-Host-Microbiota interplay uponCandida albicansinfections: current knowledge and new perspectives.FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2021;45(3):fuaa060. doi:10.1093/femsre/fuaa060
Superti F, De Seta F.Warding off recurrent yeast and bacterial vaginal infections: lactoferrin and lactobacilli.Microorganisms. 2020;8(1):130. doi:10.3390/microorganisms8010130
Chew S, Cheah Y, Seow H, Sandai D, Than L.ProbioticLactobacillus rhamnosusGR‐1 andLactobacillus reuteriRC‐14 exhibit strong antifungal effects against vulvovaginal candidiasis‐causingCandida glabrataisolates.J Appl Microbiol.2015;118:1180-1190. doi:10.1111/jam.12772
Federal Trade Commission.Dannon agrees to drop exaggerated health claims for Activia yogurt and DanActive dairy drink.
Doron S, Snydman DR.Risk and safety of probiotics.Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60(Suppl 2):S129-S134. doi:10.1093/cid/civ085
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