The 5 Best Probiotics for Recurrent Yeast Infections (True Bacteria-Busting Treatments)
Chronic yeast infections are an incredibly common ailment that women dread discovering. When bacteria infect vaginal tissues, the result is a sensitive, painful, and uncomfortable situation that can easily escalate into serious health problems if left unattended.
Despite how common yeast infections are, many women are not doing enough to prevent them from recurring. There is actually a way to build up resistance to these types of infections while treating them at the same time!
The best probiotics for recurrent yeast infections may be the key to getting rid of most or all of your infections, no matter how invincible your infection may seem at times.
What Causes Yeast Infections?
An overgrowth of the fungus Candida causes the most common type of yeast infection. Candida albicans is the most common of all the strains.
With so many harsh treatments used to fight against this common ailment, studies show that some strains are becoming more resistant to common antibacterial or antifungal treatments.
However, it is important to note that not all bacteria is harmful to your body. Wiping your body clean of all bacteria actually leaves it at severe risk for more infections, which may be one reason your yeast infection is chronic.
In fact, some bacteria, as backward as it may sound, help prevent yeast infections, like Lactobacillus, one of the most common probiotics.
What else can cause yeast infections? You may have some bad habits to squash if you want to avoid them.
Changing your gym clothes, wet bathing suits, and dirty underwear regularly is a must, but did you know that excessive sugar, lack of sleep, tight jeans, and even wearing tampons could increase your risk of infection?
Some readers may think, “I avoid those habits and still get yeast infections!” Remember that the vagina and the tissues surrounding it are very sensitive systems. People particularly prone to bacterial overgrowth should look into prevention rather than treatment. Enter probiotics.
What are Probiotics?
Have you ever seen a product that is advertised as having “live cultures”? That is precisely what a probiotic is—a collection of microorganisms (yes, live ones!) Foods and treatments that contain probiotics are good for health in general, but especially helpful in building up your body’s defense against bacterial and fungal attackers.
We have researched and provided a list of the best probiotics to use in your fight against that pesky infection that just keeps coming back!
Safety Procedures
If your infection is already in full swing and you feel severe pain, see blood after using the bathroom, or if symptoms last more than a week, you should consult your doctor for the best course of action.
Untreated infections can leave to much more severe conditions like gonorrhea, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and more. Do not risk it!
The 5 Best Probiotics for Recurrent Yeast Infections:
1. Lactobacillus Reuteri
Like we mentioned before, there are certain types of bacteria that work hard to occupy space and functions in your body to prevent other, harmful bacteria from taking over.
Lactobacillus reuteri has undergone several studies and proved itself as one of the most effective probiotics against chronic yeast infections.
Women who suffer from chronic bacterial vaginosis, the most common vaginal infection in women of ages 15 through 44 according to the CDC, swear by this product.
BV can increase your susceptibility to STDs and cause an enormous amount of pain, so finding something that prevents it is nothing to sneeze at.
2. Probiotic Yogurt (With Live Strains)
Dealing with a less mild, but equally annoying infection? That cup of yogurt you have in the back of your fridge might help.
While it has to be a very specific type of yogurt (find ones that say “live cultures” with no added sugars) the probiotics in yogurt have shown to have a positive effect on existing infections and even some success at preventing them.
You can eat plain yogurt (a bit gross, if we are being honest) or use it like other medicated cream treatments for yeast infections by injecting it into your vaginal canal with an empty tampon applicator.
Again, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get a yogurt with no added colors, scents, or sugars if you choose this treatment. It is even better if it mentions Lactobacillus in its label.
3. Kombucha
While people argue heatedly over the health benefits of kombucha, it is literally fermented black or green tea and full of many of the same healthy bacteria that make up probiotic yogurt.
While we suggest you err on the side of caution for this pick (especially with severe infections) drinking kombucha has been shown to prevent BV and help balance the symptoms of BV so that infections occur less often.
4. Kefir
Of all our picks, kefir might sound the least familiar to you. Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with specific “kefir crystals” that provide the needed bacteria for fermentation.
It may sound weird and a little unorthodox, but it is made like other, more commonly known fermented foods like yogurt. Kefir is made with a combination of bacteria, yeast, and protein that is meant to balance out harmful strains of yeast (like Candida.)
Despite being a milk drink, even if you are lactose intolerant, you may be able to handle kefir because the lactose breaks down during the process! It has a tangy, sour flavor, and has been described as a sort of “yogurt drink.” It can also be added to other foods if you are picky!
5. GoLive Probiotic Supplement
Not enough time, money, or energy to invest in fermented foods? Are you a picky eater who cannot get over the stronger tastes of some of these items? GoLive might be perfect for you.
GoLive is flavorless, sugar-free, easily dissolvable, and, most importantly, chocked full of probiotics that are guaranteed to balance out the “flora” that makes up your body’s natural level of bacteria.
Infections and digestive problems happen when this balance is disturbed. Keep it pristine by sprinkling a little bit of this into your everyday coffee, cereal, or anything you want, really!
Final Thoughts
The vagina is one of the most sensitive and complicated organs a human can have. Although it does a great job of handling bacteria and cleanliness on its own, sometimes it needs help keeping everything healthy down there.
We hope these five products help you soothe one of the most irritating and common ailments that women face. You are not alone!