Bacteria keeps yeast in check.
When this balance gets thrown off, a yeast infection occurs.
How Common Are Yeast Infections?
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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.
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Do Probiotics Work?
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.
How to Use Probiotics
There are different types of probiotics and different methods for using them.
Oral Probiotics
Oral probiotics are capsules taken by mouth and come in a wide array of options.
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.
When to Expect Results
Vaginal suppositories may work faster than oral probiotics.
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.
It is best to consult a healthcare professional when selecting the appropriate strain for your yeast infection.
Things to Know
Probiotics are generally safe, and bad reactions are extremely rare.
However, some studies indicate that more research is needed to ensure total safety.
People with weakened immune systems should consult their healthcare provider before trying probiotics for their yeast infections.
People who have had recent abdominal surgery should avoid probiotics unless otherwise instructed by their healthcare provider.
However, probiotics should not be used to treat serious cases of infection.
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