Vaginal Yeast Infection Treatment and Probiotics
Vaginal yeast infection treatment and probiotics is very promising. Consider that conventional treatment of vaginitis caused by yeasts is:
- estimated to be only 80-90% effective for acute (short-term) infections
- does not cure chronic (on-going) infections, and
- is resulting in infections that are resistant to the medications
Probiotics offer an opportunity for better results. Just make sure you know if you have a yeast infection or something else.
Probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are a natural way to re-establishment a healthy vaginal environment. As mentioned on the BV (bacterial vaginosis) page, Lactobacillus bacteria are the dominant species in the vaginal flora of most healthy women.
Just as they are effective in BV, Lactobacillus are helpful for vaginal yeast infections, too. As shown on the Candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections) page, Candida species of yeasts, and Candida albicans in particular, are the main causes of vaginal yeast infections.
Research has shown that Candida albicans is sensitive to both low pH and to lactic acid. And as you read on the Lactobacillus page, lactobacilli are lactic-acid producing bacteria. So it sounds like it’s only natural that Lactobacillus may be able to control Candida, right?
Yeast Infection Treatment and Probiotics
For more information on the specifics of treatment of yeast infections with probiotics, including details of what studies have shown to be the most efficacious strains (including L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 as well as others) and at which dosages, look for a new resource coming in the future, "The Probiotics Guide to Yeast Infections."
What's the Evidence for Yeast Infection Treatment and Probiotics?
Several products with different formulations are advertised to help with vaginal yeast infections.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 are listed in 2 main products available to the public: Fem-Dophilus, and RepHresh Pro B.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium lactis are found in FloraFemme, a vaginal probiotic suppository.
- Lactobacillus gasseri LN40, Lactobacillus fermentum LN99, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LN113 may be found in "ellen probiotic tampons" sold predominantly in the EU.
- Lactobacillus fermentum LF10 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 are found in "ActiCand 30" found predominantly in Italy.
- Saccharomyces boulardii is found as a single probiotic in Florastor and FlorastorKids. It is also found combined in several products. Please read more about them on my page here.
- Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus helveticus, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, and Bifidobacterium bifidum are found together in Syntol AMD.
- Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans and Enterococcus faecium are found together in Threelac and are also together with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum in Fivelac.
- See my review of and Jessica's recommendation for Garden of Life's Raw Probiotics Women.
Return to conventional yeast infection treatment.
Return to vaginal yeast infection diagnosis.
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