Probiotics for Yeast Infection: Benefits, Side Effects, and How to Use

Vulvovaginal candidiasis, or a vaginal yeast infection, is a very common type of infection caused by the fungus Candida. It lives in the various parts of the body, including the vagina, and doesn’t cause any issues unless it grows out of control. Four in five women will have a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime, with around a half experiencing them a few times.

With more attention being paid to the role of probiotics, as well as more supplements being marketed as a cure for yeast infections, you might wonder whether using them might actually help avoid or fight vaginal candidiasis. In this article, we dive into the scientific evidence on probiotics for vaginal yeast infections and answer the question of whether they are worth giving a shot.

What are probiotics for yeast infection?

In general, probiotics are live microorganisms, which, when taken in recommended amounts, might positively affect the health of the individual taking them. They can be naturally found in fermented foods, as well as in dietary supplements.

However, to understand the idea of how probiotics are supposed to help with yeast infections, we have to remember some basics first.

Lactobacillus, or 'the good bacteria'

The healthy vaginal microflora consists of millions of live microorganisms. One particular type of bacteria called Lactobacillus is exceptionally important. It produces various compounds in order to stimulate the immune response and help fight potentially dangerous microorganisms, including Candida, to maintain the vagina healthy and protected.

For this reason, Lactobacillus is often called 'the good bacteria.'

What is Candida?

Candida is a type of fungi that lives in the healthy human vagina, and though it might sound weird, it's completely natural. However, under certain conditions, Candida may overgrow in the vagina, which may lead to a yeast infection and symptoms such as burning, itching, and changes in vaginal discharge.

Knowing that Lactobacilli might have the potential to restore the balance of microorganisms in the vagina, it has naturally come to the attention of researchers to explore whether using 'good bacteria' could help fight Candida to avoid or treat yeast infections.

Types of probiotics for yeast infection

Due to its role in maintaining balance of the microorganisms in the vagina, Lactobacilli are the bacteria most often found in probiotic supplements designed to tackle yeast infections. These supplements come in various forms, including capsules, gummies, creams, and suppositories.

Probiotics taken by mouth

The majority of probiotic supplements on the market are intended to be swallowed. Some probiotics for yeast infections are formulated this way.

When swallowed and digested, the bacteria in the supplement are intended to reach the intestines, where the probiotics can eventually 'migrate' through the rectum into the vagina, helping enrich the vaginal environment with potentially beneficial bacteria.

Vaginal probiotics

Vaginal probiotics, on the other hand, may contain the same types of bacteria, but the main difference is that they are inserted directly into the vagina as suppositories, ovules, gels, or creams instead of being swallowed.

This way, probiotics administered straight to the vagina are intended to skip the 'migration' process from the intestines to the vagina.

The potential benefits of probiotics for yeast infection

Limited evidence suggests that probiotics may have the following effects relevant to yeast infections:

• Lactobacillus casei, a type of Lactobacilli, might reduce the growth of Candida albicans, the main fungi that causes yeast infections.
• Probiotics may make it more difficult for fungi to 'stick' to the vaginal walls, reproduce, and overgrow in the vagina.
• Probiotics might help restore and maintain a healthy vaginal environment after the infection has been cleared.

Though this shows that probiotics might hamper the overgrowth of the fungi that causes yeast infections, other studies have demonstrated that the potentially protective effects of Lactobacilli may be insufficient to help avoid the overgrowth of Candida in the vagina.

However, the current scientific evidence is mixed. This means it’s still too early to say whether probiotics may actually be beneficial in helping manage and avoid candidiasis — more studies are needed to draw conclusions.

Side effects of probiotics for yeast infection

Probiotics, including those that contain Lactobacilli, are generally considered safe to use in healthy people. Side effects that may be experienced include:

• Bloating and gas
• Temporary indigestion
• Nausea

However, some people, including those with compromised immune systems or terminally or severely ill individuals, shouldn’t consider probiotic supplementation due to a higher risk of serious adverse health effects.

Another important thing to mention is that most probiotics are considered dietary supplements by the FDA, which means that they haven't been evaluated for safety and efficacy. Though advertised as 'good bacteria,' some probiotic supplements can contain potentially dangerous microorganisms that are not listed on the label.

The effectiveness of probiotics for yeast infections: do they work?

Though there’s not enough scientific data to support the use of probiotics for managing or helping avoid yeast infections on their own, limited evidence shows that they might be potentially beneficial when used alongside traditional lines of treatment.

According to a 2017 Cochrane systematic review of 10 studies, probiotics could be potentially beneficial as an adjuvant (additional) therapy to antifungal medicines traditionally used for treating yeast infections in non-pregnant individuals.

Studies have shown that probiotics may increase the rate of short-term cure and potentially decrease the relapse rate at one month. However, it has been suggested that this effect is not likely to provide a lasting relief from vaginal candidiasis.

Managing yeast infections

According to current scientific knowledge, probiotics should not be used in order to manage yeast infections on their own. Instead, in some cases, they might provide additional support to traditional treatment choices.

Yeast infections are generally managed with antifungal medicines, which are either taken by mouth or used intravaginally. These drugs include azoles, such as fluconazole or terconazole.

Many over-the-counter treatment options for candidiasis are available; however, studies show that self-diagnosis can often be misleading. If you’re struggling with unpleasant vaginal symptoms and think it might be a yeast infection, consult your healthcare provider for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

📝Healthnews editor's top picks

Discover some of the best probiotics on the market. All of the products underwent a rigorous evaluation process by the Healthnews Research Team.

Best overall probiotic for vaginal health — Bonafide

• 5 billion CFUs
• Third-party tested
• GMP-certified
• Get a 3-month plan and save 36% on your order!

Try Bonafide now

Best synbiotic blend for candidiasis — Ritual

• 11 billion CFUs
• 3-in-1 formula in a single daily dose (prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics)
• Third-party tested
• Use code 'HEALTHNEWS' and get 20% OFF!

Try Ritual now

Diving into the latest research on probiotics for yeast infection

Due to the high prevalence of yeast infections, the resistance to traditional antifungal drugs is increasing. In addition, they may not be suitable for everyone. This is why alternative therapeutic approaches are being explored, including the use of probiotics.

According to a 2021 paper published in the Current Opinion in Pharmacology, experimental data shows that probiotics may be helpful in reducing harmful microorganisms in the vaginal environment, may help maintain its acidity, and potentially have a positive effect on the local vaginal immune response.

However, the authors indicate that currently, there’s no sufficient evidence to support the use of probiotics for treating yeast infections. Nevertheless, being aware of the fact that a deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiota is just emerging, the role of probiotics in managing fungal vaginitis seems promising.

Further research is necessary to grasp the mechanisms and safety of probiotics fully, explore different strains, and discern their potential role in improving treatment outcomes for yeast infections.