Infections of the vaginal area, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections, are among the most common women’s health issues. Yeast infections affect around 1 million women in the United States each year. probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
Burning, itching, redness, and white discharge are all symptoms of an excess of yeast in the vaginal area. Yeast infections, if left untreated, can lead to significant problems. Several antifungal drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, can effectively cure vaginal yeast infections, and new study suggests that probiotics may also be beneficial in promoting vaginal health.
I’ll go over the most frequent signs and causes of yeast infections, as well as what probiotics are and how they’re used, in this article. Then I’ll go over prescription, over-the-counter, and natural yeast infection treatments. Finally, I’ll go through when you should contact your doctor to see whether you have a yeast infection and whether probiotics are good for you.
What Is a Yeast Infection and How Does It Affect You?
A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a fungus that develops when too much yeast grows in one part of the body. probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
Yeast (a form of fungus) can be found in a variety of locations throughout the body. Candida albicans is a form of yeast that dwells in the digestive tract, mouth, and vaginal area. Candida does not cause difficulties when it is in equilibrium with the rest of your body’s natural flora. When candida overgrows, though, it can lead to infection.
The same thing is a vaginal yeast infection, vaginal candidiasis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis: an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina. Vaginal yeast infections are a form of vaginitis, which is an inflammation of the vaginal canal. The most prevalent kinds of vaginitis are yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV). probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
Yeast infection signs and symptoms
Symptoms of a yeast infection can range from minor to severe, but the following are the most common: probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
- Itching in the vulva or vaginal region
- Vaginal discharge that is thick, white, and odorless, with the consistency of cottage cheese.
- Swelling or redness of the vaginal and/or vulva
- Cuts or splits in the vulva’s skin
- Soreness or pain in the vaginal area
- Urination causes a burning sensation.
- During intercourse, there is pain.
- Rashes on the vaginal area
Yeast infections can be caused by a variety of factors.
Yeast can multiply for a variety of reasons, causing an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome. The following are some of the most common causes:
- Antibiotics are antimicrobials that are very effective at killing bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics, unfortunately, can kill beneficial bacteria, which can throw the microbiome’s balance off. When this happens in the vaginal area (for example, when using antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI), a yeast infection can develop.
- Changes in hormones: Hormone levels and the balance of yeast in the vagina change with pregnancy, menstruation, and the use of hormonal contraceptives (such as the birth control pill) or hormone or estrogen therapy.
- Diabetes: Elevated sugar levels in your urine and vaginal fluid can increase yeast development in this area. probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
- Vaginal yeast can grow if your immune system is weakened due to a persistent illness (such as HIV) or medicine that suppresses your immune system (such as chemotherapy).
Yeast Infections and Probiotics
Probiotic supplements may help prevent or treat a yeast infection if you’re taking an antibiotic or have a history of yeast infections. Lactobacillus, the major bacteria found in healthy vaginal flora, may be particularly helpful in alleviating yeast infection symptoms and regulating the bacteria and pH level of the vagina. probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
(Are they genuinely effective?)
Probiotics’ usefulness in preventing and treating vaginal yeast infections and recurrent yeast infections has received little research to date. Probiotics, notably lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, may be an effective therapy and prevention alternative, according to new research. probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
One of the reasons behind this is as follows: Lactobacillus is the most common bacteria in the vaginal microbiota, but its levels drop when the vaginal microbiota is infected, such as with a yeast infection. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 probiotics have been shown in several studies to help rebalance the vaginal microbiota by increasing lactobacillus levels. probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
Finally, because supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same manner that pharmaceuticals are, quality and effectiveness cannot be assured. Many of these products don’t contain the amount of probiotics specified on the label, and in some cases, don’t contain the probiotic at all, according to studies. probioticseverything.com probiotic for yeast infection
Vaginal suppositories
Suppository-based vaginal probiotics are also available. An applicator is used to inject these into your vaginal canal. Because there isn’t much study on probiotic suppositories, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before trying anything new, even a probiotic.