If you develop chronic vaginal yeast infections, a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of C. albicans, you may benefit from treatment with garlic supplements. A substance called allicin is partially responsible for the antifungal properties of garlic. Daily treatment with garlic supplements may help reduce the growth of C. albicans, alleviating yeast infection symptoms such as severe itching and thick, white vaginal discharge. Human clinical trials evaluating the use of garlic supplements for yeast infections are necessary, however, to support this medicinal use of garlic.
Consult a Doctor
Only a physician who knows your complete medical history can recommend a specific dosage of garlic to alleviate your yeast infection symptoms. The amount of garlic you need to take each day may depend upon a variety of factors, including your age, weight and health. For personalized garlic dosage recommendations, seek additional guidance from your health care provider.
Dosing Guidelines
There is no established dosage recommendation for garlic for people who have chronic yeast infections. Health professionals with the University of Michigan Health System report that daily treatment with 4,000 to 5,000 mcg of allicin in a garlic tablet may help reduce yeast infection symptoms. This dosage is equivalent to one clove or 4 g of fresh garlic each day.
Safety Information
While taking garlic supplements, you may experience bloating, stomach upset, heartburn or diarrhea. Your breath or sweat may also emit a strong garlic odor. Sometimes, people taking garlic supplements also experience fatigue, appetite loss, muscle aches, dizziness and headaches.
In addition, garlic supplements may interact with certain prescription medications. Avoid using garlic if you are taking blood-thinning or antiplatetlet medications, such as indomethacin, aspirin or warfarin. Combining these prescription medications with garlic supplements may increase your risk of experiencing bleeding problems. Don't take garlic supplements if you're taking a protease inhibitor, including ritinavir and indinavir, because garlic may reduce your blood levels of this type of medication.
Contraindications
Treatment with garlic supplements may not be appropriate if you have certain health concerns. Women who are pregnant ore breast-feeding shouldn't use garlic supplements because the safety of therapeutic doses of garlic during pregnancy is unknown. Avoid taking garlic for at least two weeks prior to undergoing surgery because garlic supplementation may increase your risk of developing bleeding complications during or following surgery. In addition, don't take garlic supplements if you have digestion or stomach problems, as this natural supplement may worsen your symptoms.
