Dozens of species of microorganisms live in the vagina under normal circumstances. When something happens to upset the balance of vaginal bacteria, yeast populations may rise. Although introducing bacteria to prevent disease may seem counterintuitive, a strain of bacteria called L. acidophilus may have beneficial properties that improve yeast infection symptoms. Talk to your doctor before treating a yeast infection with L. acidophilus.
Symptoms
The primary symptom that women with a vaginal yeast infection experience is vaginal irritation or itching. You may experience redness, soreness, swelling or a burning sensation during urination or sex. Another sign of a yeast infection is a thick, white discharge that resembles cottage cheese.
Purpose
Yeast infections sometimes occur when you take antibiotics or other medications. While these drugs kill harmful bacteria, they also eliminate beneficial bacteria, such as L. acidophilus, from the vagina. Under normal circumstances, Lactobacillus bacteria produce acidic byproducts that keep yeast populations under control. Taking L. acidophilus supplements may improve yeast infection symptoms by killing excess yeast.
Dosing
The dosage of L. acidophilus people take for yeast infections depends on the supplement preparation. According to the Mayo Clinic website, an appropriate dose for vaginal infections is 10 million to 1 billion colony-forming units placed into the vagina one or two times per day. If you prefer L. acidophilus tablets, capsules or liquid preparations, take between 1 billion and 10 billion colony-forming units per day. Eating yogurt containing live, active cultures of L. acidophilus is another way to get this beneficial bacteria.
Considerations
Although conventional medicine practitioners recommend L. acidophilus to treat yeast infections, large-scale clinical trials have not been performed to confirm this treatment method. According to the Mayo Clinic website, there is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether L. acidophilus is an effective treatment for yeast infections. Other types of Lactobacillus bacteria, such as Lactobacillus GG, may be more effective. Consult your doctor before beginning treatment with L. acidophilus to ensure it is appropriate for you.
