What Probiotics Are Good to Treat a Yeast Infection?

A vaginal yeast infection is a common and bothersome occurrence that will affect 75 percent of all women in their lifetime, according to The National Women's Health Information Center. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live inside of us that can be used as a dietary supplement in order to balance our internal flora and keep yeast infections under control. The probiotics used to treat yeast infections are common bacteria that are used to culture dairy products and can be found in most yogurt products as well as in supplement form at health food stores.

Types

• The most common probiotics used to treat yeast infections are of the Lactobacillus family. The Lactobaccillus family contains more than 125 species of which acidophilus and casei are probably the most well known as they are commonly used to ferment common food products, such as yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut and pickles. Probiotic formulas for yeast infections can also contain bacteria from the Bifidobacteria, Lactococcus and Pediococcus families.

Function

• The probiotics that are used to combat yeast infections have several modes of action. First, they build a protective layer on the vaginal wall that makes it harder for pathogenic organisms to attach themselves. Second, they affect the pH balance of the vaginal canal, keeping it a level that is too low for many other bacteria to survive in. Finally, probiotics can generate hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct, which is in itself antimicrobial and toxic to many types of unwanted bacteria, including yeast.

Effects

• The effects of taking probiotics on yeast infections are profound. A study published in the journal "Immunology and Medical Microbiology" in October 2000 tested two strains of Lactobacillus on 10 women with a history of reccurent yeast infections. They found that all of the women reported relief of symptoms and did not need to continue their previous monthly yeast infection therapy regime. The two probiotics used were Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus fermentum.

Time Frame

• Probiotic supplements can take effect in a little as a week, effectively resolving all symptoms of a yeast infection. Some products are designed to be used for longer periods of time to establish a healthy colony of probiotic flora within the vagina. There are no known side effects from probiotic supplements other than occasional gas, and so probiotics can be taken for long periods of time in order to prevent as well as cure yeast infections.

Benefits

• There are other benefits to taking probiotics beyond resolving yeast infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, establishing a healthy level of probiotics in the human body may be able to reduce bladder cancer recurrence, prevent Irritable bowel syndrome and even prevent eczema in children. Many of these conditions may be due to yeast and other pathogenic organisms that can be effectively blocked from taking over your body by ingesting beneficial probiotics.