Wellness Reproductive Health Yeast Infection Do Probiotics Help With Yeast Infections? Probiotics may help restore balance in the vagina to treat and prevent yeast infections. By Dr. Roshini Raj Dr. Roshini Raj Roshini Raj, MD, is Health magazine's medical editor and coauthor of What the Yuck?!. Board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Raj is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at New York University Medical Center, a contributor on the Today show, and a co-founder of the Tula skin care line. health's editorial guidelines Updated on May 17, 2023 Medically reviewed by Cordelia Nwankwo, MD Medically reviewed by Cordelia Nwankwo, MD Cordelia Nwankwo, MD, is a board-certified gynecologist who has been in private practice for 8 years. learn more Yeast infections are one of the most common vaginal health problems, with about 75 out of every 100 females getting one in their lifetimes. Since yeast infections are so prevalent, researchers have looked at new treatments to help quickly restore balance in the vagina. One of those treatments is probiotics, or live microorganisms. It's possible that consuming probiotics could help restore balance and clear up symptoms or prevent yeast infections. Some evidence suggests that certain bacteria can stop yeast overgrowth. Here's what you need to know about how probiotics help with yeast infections and what to consider before trying. What Are Yeast Infections? What Causes Yeast Infections? Yeast infections happen if there is an overgrowth of Candida, a type of yeast, in the vagina. Typically, the vagina has a balance of "good" and "bad" microorganisms, including Candida. The fungus can overgrow if something throws off that balance. As a result, yeast infections cause symptoms like itching, redness, painful urination or intercourse, and thick, white vaginal discharge. Factors that increase the risk of yeast infections include: AntibioticsDiabetes or uncontrolled blood sugarDouchingHormonal birth controlPregnancyWeakened immune system Can Probiotics Cause a Yeast Infection? Research is limited on the effects of probiotic treatment on yeast infection outcomes. As a result, potential side effects—such as whether probiotics can cause yeast infections—are unknown. Still, a review published in 2020 found that some people who took probiotics to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) developed yeast infections as a rare side effect. More commonly, side effects of probiotic treatment may include: Abdominal painFrequent urinationItchiness near the vaginaPainful urinationVaginal dischargeVaginal odor How Do Probiotics Help With Yeast Infections? Researchers have looked at the bacteria Lactobacillus to balance those "good" and "bad" microorganisms in the vagina. By maintaining that balance, research has found that probiotics with Lactobacillus may treat or prevent yeast infections. Probiotics contain live bacteria that adhere to cells, keeping harmful pathogens from binding to those cells. With Lactobacillus, some evidence suggests that the bacteria attach to vaginal cells. By doing so, the bacteria keep Candida from binding to vaginal cells and growing out of control. A study published in 2016 found that Lactobacillus also helps maintain the pH level, or how acidic something is, inside the vagina. Generally, Candida thrives in acidic environments. By controlling the pH level in the vagina, probiotics can create an undesirable habitat for yeast overgrowth. Can Probiotics Cure a Yeast Infection? More research is needed to understand whether probiotics cure yeast infections. For example, some evidence suggests that using a probiotic suppository inserted into the vagina, combined with antifungal medicine, might treat frequent yeast infections. Though, for the most part, healthcare providers do not recommend that method. Instead, consult a healthcare provider about whether a probiotic may help in addition to antifungal medicine. Usually, healthcare providers treat yeast infections with topical or oral antifungal medicines. Until more conclusive research is available, follow a healthcare provider's advice and treatment regimen to clear up and prevent yeast infections. For example, wearing breathable underwear, not using scented soaps in the vaginal area, and changing sweaty clothes right away can help reduce the risk of yeast infections. What To Consider When Taking Probiotics Probiotics may prevent frequent yeast infections. Still, more research is needed to understand their efficacy and safety fully. Some experts suggest only taking a probiotic to treat or prevent yeast infections under the guidance of a healthcare provider. For example, some may advise you to take probiotics with food to weaken your stomach acids. In contrast, others may ask that you take probiotics on an empty stomach. Generally, healthcare providers advise taking probiotics two hours after applying or taking antifungal medicine. After antifungal treatment, a healthcare provider may instruct you to continue probiotic treatment for up to two weeks. Some probiotics can remain at room temperature whereas others, like heat-dried ones, need to be refrigerated. Follow the label or a healthcare provider's instructions. Dosage Probiotic dosages range from one to 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs). Consult a healthcare provider about the right dosage for you. People typically take probiotics one to two times daily. How Is a Yeast Infection Treated? A Quick Review Probiotics are live microorganisms with health benefits, possibly clearing up and preventing yeast infections. For example, the bacteria Lactobacillus works by attaching to cells in the vagina and keeping yeast from growing out of control. The bacteria also helps control the pH level in the vagina. Still, more research is needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy of probiotics when it comes to yeast infections. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have yeast infection symptoms. They can help you figure out if a probiotic is right for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 10 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Vaginal yeast infection (thrush): Overview. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2019. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Probiotics. What you need to know. Superti F, De Seta F. Warding off recurrent yeast and bacterial vaginal infections: Lactoferrin and Lactobacilli. 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