Did you know that fungal infections affect about a billion people around the world? While some of them may not be so severe, others can have severe repercussions on the human body. Timely intervention and treatment can prevent various risk factors in the subsequent stages. Yeast infection is a case in hand. With 700,000 invasive candidiasis cases, according to a study(1), it is a medical condition which exerts negative influence in the lives of people in both developing and developed countries across the globe.
Rigorous research, coupled with some studies, have highlighted the fact that taking lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics treats yeast infection effectively. How effective is it? Is it safe, or does it have some side-effects? What is the right dosage of probiotics for you? Read on to get answers to these questions.
Are Probiotics for Yeast Infection Effective?
For centuries, probiotics have been lauded as one of the best treatments available for containing yeast infection in the body. Probiotics, a collection of microorganisms such as bacteria, are beneficial to the body in many ways. But how do they help in the treatment of yeast infection ? One has to understand human biology to figure it out.
[Read: Fungal Infection Natural Remedies]
The human body, in general, houses trillions of microorganisms. These include bacteria, yeasts, and viruses. All these microorganisms live in their respective colonies in the body. Generally, these microorganisms are harmless to the body. However, the actual problem begins when they multiply and grow beyond control. Unusual growth of yeast, a type of fungi, in a specific part of the body affects it with infection.
[Also Read: Treat Yeast Infection with Natural Remedies]
A majority of women use yogurt for a reason. It is a rich source of lactobacillus. In a study conducted in 2012, a mixture of honey and yogurt was applied by 129 pregnant women. It was found that the combination had a similar effect to that of antifungal medications. In fact, it was found that it fared better in reducing the symptoms than most antifungal drugs.
In another study, which was conducted in the year 2015, the same effect was found in women who were not pregnant. One more study in the same year also showed that the probiotics were even more effective in performing the function when it was combined with one of the prescription antifungal medications.
If the results of these studies are taken into consideration at a time, it adds up to the fact that probiotics can be useful for women in dealing with yeast infections naturally. Probiotics, being natural, are free from side effects. These are helpful bacteria that live in the gut, improve gut health, and also promote other positive functions in the body.
More studies are needed to develop a further understanding of how probiotics(2) work against fungal infections such as yeast infection. However, the studies conducted on participants with yeast infection did not show any adverse effects even after using probiotics. This is suggestive of the fact that it does not have a negative impact when used on people who suffer from yeast infection. It is helpful, especially for those who experience side-effects from traditional medications.
[Also Read: Home Remedies for Yeast Infection]
Using Probiotics for Yeast Infection Treatment
There are several ways to supply the body with probiotics. You can either get probiotics from natural sources or from suppositories or medications that are available over-the-counter. If you are trying the latter option, make sure you go for those medications that are rich in lactobacillus content. For best results, go for suppositories or capsules that have lactobacillus on the top of the list of bacteria.
[Also Read: Remedies To Get Rid Of Candida Naturally]
Follow the following steps to apply yogurt into the vagina:
- Take two tablespoons of yogurt
- Now, soak the tampon applicator with it
- Slowly, insert it into your vagina
If you feel any discomfort, then it is not correctly placed. Remove it and try it again.
When applying topically, make sure you do choose plain yogurt instead of flavored ones. Yeasts thrive and multiply in numbers due to excess sugars. It is recommended to use plain yogurt instead of using the one with sugary flavor for getting desirable effects in dealing with a yeast infection.
When inserting probiotics for yeast infection into the vagina, do not stand up immediately. Wait for some time and allow the yogurt to settle in. This is one of the best practices to make probiotics work effectively. You also need to follow the same procedure while applying creams. It is recommended to do this procedure before going to bed.
[Also Read: Health Benefits of yogurt]
The Right Dosage of the Best Probiotics for Yeast Infection
The dosage may vary from one individual to another. However, the recommended dosage of the probiotics to treat candida is somewhere between 1 billion and 10 billion colony forming units. This translates into two capsules per day for several weeks until the symptoms of yeast infection disappear altogether.
Furthermore, it is also essential to ensure that the capsules are stored properly. Exposure to heat may kill the microorganisms in probiotic supplements.
Probiotics are useful in dealing with yeast infections. Though not many studies have been conducted on probiotics thus far, the ones that have been conducted indicate that probiotics do not have side-effects. To be double sure about the safety of using probiotics for the treatment of yeast infection, it is recommended to consult a certified doctor. It is all the more important in cases wherein an individual also takes drugs for other medical conditions.
[Also Read: 7 Signs Why Your Body Needs of Probiotics]
FAQs
1. How Long Do Probiotics for Yeast Infection Treatment Take to Work?
Oral medications take one to four weeks for showing up the results. The mixture of honey and yogurt takes at least a week to work. This depends on how well one uses the applications by following the right procedure.
2. Is It Safe to Use Probiotics?
Probiotics are the microorganisms that naturally dwell in the body. Studies have shown that the addition of more of it to the body does not produce any undesirable effect in individuals. However, it is still necessary to consult a doctor before using them.
