Probiotics is the term commonly used to describe live bacteria that provide health benefits when ingested or applied topically to the human body. Many different health conditions have been reported to benefit from treatment with probiotics; however, probiotic supplements have yielded conflicting results in treating yeast infections. Consult a qualified health care provider before taking probiotics.
Yeast Infections
The term "yeast infection" commonly refers to uncontrolled growth of the fungus Candida albicans. This yeast normally resides in low numbers in body cavities, including the mouth and vagina. Outbreaks of uncontrolled yeast growth, or yeast infections, often result when some factor such as illness or medication alters the conditions in a body cavity in such a way that the conditions are favorable for yeast growth, explains the New York University Langone Medical Center.
Probiotic Treatment
Probiotic bacteria, such as the bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus, or L. acidophilus, help to create conditions that are unfavorable for yeast growth. Supplements containing L. acidophilus, when taken either as oral capsules or suppositories applied directly to the vagina, increase the numbers of L. acidophilus living in the vagina, reports a study published in the May-June 2003 issue of the "Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing."
Controlling Vaginal Yeast Infections
Despite increasing the levels of L. acidophilus bacteria living in the vagina, it is not clear that probiotic supplements actually reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infections. One risk factor for yeast infections is taking prescription antibiotics that kill the normal bacteria. Taking probiotics to replace bacteria at the same time as antibiotics does not appear to reduce the risk of developing vaginal yeast infections, according to a study of 278 women published in the September 2004 issue of the "British Medical Journal."
Oral Yeast Infections
There is promising research for treating yeast infections of the mouth. Elderly adults with weakened immune systems frequently develop yeast infections in the mouth. Eating cheese supplemented with probiotic bacteria reduced the occurrence of oral yeast infection in one study of 276 elderly patients, reports an article published in the February 2007 issue of the "Journal of Dental Research." While these results are promising, additional research is needed to confirm these findings.
References
- New York University Langone Medical Center: Vaginal Infection; February 2011
- MedlinePlus: Lactobacillus; June 2011
- "British Medical Journal"; Effect of Lactobacillus in Preventing Post-Antibiotic Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: a Randomised Controlled Trial; M. Pirotta et al.; September 2004
- "Journal of Dental Research"; Probiotics Reduce the Prevalence of Oral Candida in the Elderly--a Randomized Controlled Trial; K. Hatakka; February 2007
- "Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing"; Prevention and treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis using exogenous Lactobacillus.; H.S. Jeavons; May-June 2003
